The good news comes from a March 5, 2025 Springer Nature press release (also received via email),

Today [March 5, 2025], Springer Nature announced its increasing support for the Community Scholars Program (CSP) at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The CSP supports Canadians to engage in research for the purpose of bettering society and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Springer Nature has participated in the CSP since its creation in 2017. With the aim of providing librarian support and collaboration with Community Scholars in their local areas, SFU is developing partnerships with other university libraries across Canada. As SFU expands the CSP to additional provinces, Springer Nature likewise commits to expanding access to its journals and ebooks for CSP’s under-resourced researchers. The publisher will provide 500 additional seats for researchers each year, to a total of 2,000 seats gratis. 

The CSP provides access to over 20,000 titles at no cost to not-for-profit researchers and communities working in fields related to the SDGs on issues such as poverty alleviation, food security, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable community development. Participating scholars are also able to consult with librarians and receive customized services. Springer Nature will continue to support CSP researchers, providing access to its content at no charge, including Springer journals and ebooks in 23 subject collections. 

Maria Lopes, Vice President of Institutional Sales at Springer Nature, said: “Springer Nature is fully committed to driving scientific discovery especially in the areas of the UN SDGs. We are proud to support the work of the CSP at SFU by ensuring greater access to key scholarly materials for researchers working to advance knowledge and improve society.” 
 
Heather De Forest, Community Scholars Librarian at Simon Fraser University, said: “Access to research publications is so valuable for participants working in community organizations who excel at mobilizing research, transforming scholarly knowledge into actionable insights in their programs and with their peers. Participants have told us that accessing scholarly publications supports their policy and advocacy efforts, program innovation and evaluation, staff learning and development, and their ability to seek funding.  

“Springer Nature was a foundational supporter of the Community Scholars Program and we’ve been grateful for — and bolstered by — the continued partnership as the program has developed and expanded.” 

Thank you to the folks at Springer Nature!

Science, Stand-Up, and Song

This event was announced in a March 4, 2025 posting by Rebecca Bollwitt on her Miss604.com blog,

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind event that blends laughter, science, and creativity all for a great cause. Science, Stand-Up, and Song is a unique showcase, featuring five hilarious comedians and three brilliant scientists, that is sure to leave you laughing while also raising funds to support science education.

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Science, Stand-Up, and Song Fundraiser in Vancouver

• Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
• Location: Chill x Studio (2270 Manitoba St, Vancouver)
• Tickets: Available online now

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Bollwitt’s March 4, 2025 posting continues, Note: I have removed links,

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The evening is organized and hosted by Dr. Marissa Lithopoulos, a Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC [University of British Columbia] and a proud recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Fellowship. She specializes in understanding how brain stem cells build the brain during development. To survive the stress of grad school, Marissa began singing and playing the guitar. She also trained in the art of comedy through The Improv Centre & Blind Tiger Comedy. This event is a fundraiser for her science education album. She has self-funded three songs from the album and is eager to continue to share her scientific knowledge with the world through song.

Science and Comedy Lineup

Comedians on the bill include Akeem Hoyte-Charles, Jacob Samuel, Rachel Schaefer, Matty Vu, and Neil Webb. There will also be a science panel with:

• Dr. Shernaz Bamji is a Professor of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Co-Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, and a Founding Member of the School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC. Dr. Bamji is focused on better understanding synaptic connections within the brain, how they are impaired during injury, and whether they can be restored to improve cognitive function.
• Carie-Ann Hancock is passionate about geology, landslides, and floods in BC. You can often find her staring at the mountains, wondering how the rocks got to the bottom of the slope, and how they might affect houses, roads, and other things we care about. She’s also zealous about educating her peers on science communication using equitable practices (#stopusingredgreen).
• Dr. Nika Shakiba is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC focused on understanding cell competition dynamics in order to reprogram cells for regenerative medicine purposes. Dr. Shakiba is also passionate about mentoring and science outreach. She is the co-founder of the Advice to a Scientist Initiative.

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I noticed when checking out the ‘Advice to a Scientist‘ website that they have listed the US National Science Foundation (NSF) in the acknowledgments on their About page. Last I heard, the NSF was one of the US science agencies whose funding was being paused. (Many years ago, I was informed that a lot of Canadian science is funded by through US agencies.

So given the current economic situation both here and in the US, this science education (album) fundraiser might be the first of many in the future.