As a research-intensive university geared to conducting world-class research, University of Guelph places a premium on sustaining our research and innovation enterprise. We also place a premium on, keeping our research community safe.

As University of Guelph employees return to campus throughout February, we are revisiting guidelines for conducting research during COVID-19.  We will communicate any changes as quickly as we can through Research Alerts, the Research during COVID-19 website [1] and associated documents, and through Associate Deans Research and Graduate Studies. 

New:

• Non-office research space density requirements
  In January, because of the Omicron variant, we reverted to non-office research space density guidelines we followed earlier in the pandemic. As students, faculty and staff return to campus, non-office research space density can go back to what is required by the University. [2] 
• Graduate Student International Research-Related Travel
  Given current federal government travel advisories [3], graduate students who can feasibly postpone research-related international travel are still encouraged to do so.  However, for those planning essential research-related international travel, including for conferences, an exemption may be issued by the Centre for International Programs (CIP [4]) following an assessment that includes safety and security considerations.  Exemptions will be increasingly feasible given a recent announcement from GuardMe to reinstate travel insurance for students travelling abroad.  As always, plans for international travel by graduate students completing field work should be detailed in a Research Management Plan (RMP).
• Visiting International Researchers and Visiting International Research Students
  The interruption on issuing of invitations to Visiting International Researchers and Visiting International Research Students announced in December has now been lifted. However, a number of requirements remain in place for enabling invitations as outlined on the Research during COVID-19 webpage [1] and in this June 2, 2021 Research Alert [5]. 

Updates coming soon for:

• Human Participant Face-to-Face Research guidelines
• Research Management Plans

Please continue to refer to the Research Continuity Framework [6]*.
*Previously referred to as the Research Phase-In Framework

If you have concerns about your safety and well-being while working in University of Guelph facilities, you are encouraged to review your work situation, and any requirements to be on site, in discussion with your supervisor, manager, graduate program coordinator, chair or director, as appropriate.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies: