Government of Canada announces strong support for cutting-edge research

Article - News release Government of Canada
written by Vancouver, British Columbia - Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat

Investments in research are creating knowledge, spurring innovation and ensuring economic growth and quality jobs for Canadians in a highly competitive global landscape.

A total of 305 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs have been appointed at 53 postsecondary institutions across the country. The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, made the announcement today while visiting The University of British Columbia.

Today's announcement represents a $260-million investment in the Canada Research Chairs program. In addition, Minister Duncan announced $342 million through the Research Support Fund to cover the indirect costs of research at Canadian institutions, as well as $17 million in infrastructure support for the Canada Research Chairs program through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The combined funding will help support cutting-edge research from coast to coast to coast, including in environmental and climate science.

The University of British Columbia will receive $27.2 million for 31 Canada Research Chairs, including Dr. Zachary Hudson, the new Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Chemistry. Dr. Hudson is developing new thin and flexible materials for next-generation lighting and displays. His research will lead to new ways to make better, more energy efficient lighting than our traditional incandescent light bulbs. The goal is to have his inexpensive sustainable lighting systems adopted worldwide.

Quotes

"I'd like to extend my sincere congratulations to the latest new and renewed Canada Research Chairs. The Government of Canada is proud to support these elite researchers who improve our depth of knowledge, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of our highly skilled workforce."

—The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"The researchers that we are celebrating today at the University of British Columbia offer unique and essential expertise to help develop technologies and services to benefit our province, Canada and the world."

—Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Member of Parliament (Burnaby North—Seymour)

"The Canada Research Chairs program remains a cornerstone of our efforts to attract and retain the brightest minds in Canada. It has become one of our most important and respected investments in research and provides resources to mentor and train the research leaders of tomorrow."

—Dr. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

"Leading researchers, such as Zachary Hudson, are pushing the boundaries of sustainable technologies. Their efforts rely on state-of-the-art facilities and labs to come to fruition. With the right tools, Canada's top researchers are helping to reduce our environmental burden, stimulate the economy of the future, and transform our lives."

—Dr. Gilles Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)

"The Canada Research Chairs program supports leading researchers here at UBC and at universities across the country. Programs like this are critical for attracting some of the brightest minds to our institutions and building research opportunities."

—Martha Piper, Interim President, University of British Columbia

"I'm excited to launch my research at UBC with the support of the Canada Research Chairs program. Our goal is to create thin and flexible light sources that use far less energy, yet are also lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture."

—Zachary Hudson, Canada Research Chair, Sustainable Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia

Quick facts

  • Nearly 1,700 Canada Research Chair holders are working at over 70 postsecondary institutions across the country in a wide range of fields. More than 240 of these chairs are in British Columbia.
  • The Research Support Fund supports a portion of the costs associated with managing research at Canadian institutions such as administrative support, training costs for workplace health and safety, maintenance costs for libraries and laboratories, and administrative costs.
  • The Canada Foundation for Innovation gives researchers the tools they need to innovate by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and not-for-profit research institutions.
  • Created in 2000, the Canada Research Chairs Program has helped attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Canada Research Chairs deepen our knowledge, enhance our quality of life and grow our economy.

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Contacts

Camille Martel
Communications
Office of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan
Minister of Science
343-291-2700
Camille.Martel@canada.ca

Anne-Marie Cenaiko
Communications Advisor
Canada Research Chairs Program
and Research Support Fund
613-996-8373
613-668-9865
Anne-Marie.Cenaiko@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

Malorie Bertrand
Media Relations and Communications Officer
Canada Foundation for Innovation
613-943-2580
613-447-1723
malorie.bertrand@innovation.ca