Communication received from Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) on March 26, 2020 regarding COVID-19.

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Dear Valued Partners,
 
As this unprecedented global situation unfolds, we recognize that this is a uniquely challenging period for you – not only personally, but also due to the disruption to your business, research and projects.
 
Whether you are a researcher or a company, early-stage or scaling, if you currently have a project with OCE, we fully appreciate how the impacts of COVID-19 may affect your business, your ability to conduct research, your access to research labs and equipment, as well as your ability to prepare and submit applications and reports. We view every program that we offer and every project that we support as a partnership, and take an active role in ensuring your success. As a result, we are exploring all avenues, including project extensions and accelerated payments, to support you during this difficult time.
 
We continue to make adjustments as we monitor the evolution and impact of COVID-19, and we look forward to keeping you informed as we respond to rapidly changing circumstances.
 
OCE is working across our many partners and stakeholders to ensure timely updates are available and we encourage you to visit the Program Updates section of the OCE website for program-specific updates as new information becomes available. For urgent requests related to projects that are within 30 days of completion, please contact the Program Lead assigned to your project.
 
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to your Business Development Manager. We’re here to help.
 
Finally, thank you again for being a valued part of Ontario’s innovation ecosystem – now, more than ever, we must be adaptable, responsive and collaborative, as we work together in common interest with innovators from across the province.
 
Sincerely,

Claudia Krywiak
President and CEO,
OCE