OTTAWA, July 21, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the Government of Canada responds to the challenges of COVID-19, it is clear why investments in research are important. Canadian researchers from all disciplines play a key role in finding solutions to the challenges we face now and in the future.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced close to $230 million in funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund to continue to support the operating costs of 14 national research facilities at 10 universities.
As a result of these ongoing investments, some of these initiatives were able to quickly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The additional funding announced today will further strengthen the facilities’ ongoing research activities and their efforts to combat COVID-19.
Here are just some of the ways they have pivoted their research to tackle this challenge:
The MSI Fund supports the unique operating and maintenance needs of Canada’s large, complex research facilities so that they can stay on the cutting edge and continue to serve communities of researchers in Canada and around the world.
Quotes
“Canada is home to several state-of-the-art, internationally renowned research facilities. Not only do these facilities make it possible for cutting-edge research to take place in Canada, we are also benefiting from the impressive and innovative power of Canadian researchers in our coordinated, national approach to fight COVID-19.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Canada’s national research facilities allow our country’s best researchers to participate at the leading edge, and to address some of our most pressing national and international challenges. The CFI’s investments in research infrastructure through its MSI Fund meant these facilities were ready to tackle emerging challenges like COVID-19. As society becomes more complex, we need to continue to foster ingenuity and a relentless passion for knowledge with the equipment and spaces researchers need to flourish.”
– Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
Quick facts
Quick links
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Major Science Initiatives Fund
An overview of Canada’s national research facilities
The CFI Research Facilities Navigator: An online database of labs and facilities that are open to working with business
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
For more than 20 years, the CFI has been giving researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. Fostering a robust innovation system in Canada translates into jobs and new enterprises, better health, cleaner environments and, ultimately, vibrant communities. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI also helps to attract and retain the world’s top talent, to train the next generation of researchers and to support world-class research that strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life for all Canadians.
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A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities we fund are available online at Innovation.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA and subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos about the CFI and its many transformative research projects.
Discover other CFI COVID-19 research investments:
New competition to fund COVID-19-related research: Call for proposals now live
Prime Minister announces additional funding to support COVID-19 research
Contacts
Malorie Bertrand Media Relations and Social Media Specialist Canada Foundation for Innovation C: 613-227-0198 malorie.bertrand@innovation.ca Media Relations Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada O: 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca | John Power Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry O: 343-550-1456 john.power@canada.ca |