EDMONTON, Alberta, Aug. 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Researchers across the country need the best labs and tools to spark discoveries that lead to healthy communities, clean air and water, new job opportunities and a prosperous future. That’s why the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, today announced more than $61 million for state-of-the-art research labs and equipment through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). This investment will support 261 projects at 40 universities across Canada.
The Fund helps exceptional university scientists conduct leading-edge research by giving them the tools and equipment they need to become leaders in their field. The University of Alberta is receiving more than $2.2 million for 10 research infrastructure projects that will, among other things, ensure food safety, improve end-of-life care for patients, reclaim mining sites and reduce air pollution.
This investment will also help support Dr. Sandra Davidge, a pioneer in cardiovascular health in women and children at the University of Alberta. She is receiving funding for specialized imaging equipment that will enable her and her team to understand the link between low oxygen flow to an unborn baby and the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. The team’s work will help create early interventions that will allow these babies to grow into heart-healthy adults. This is just one example of how new investments in research infrastructure trigger innovations that affect the lives of everyday Canadians.
While in Edmonton, Minister Duncan also signed the Dimensions Charter with the University of Alberta. Institutions that endorse the Charter commit to embedding the principles of equity, diversity and inclusiveness in their policies, practices, action plans and culture.
Quotes
“Researchers in Canada know that cutting-edge tools and labs are necessary to make discoveries and innovate. That is why our government is announcing funding for the infrastructure needs of Canadian researchers. Their ground-breaking contributions to science and research have an enormous impact on the breakthroughs that help make our visions for a better future a reality.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
“Canada’s leading researchers require cutting-edge infrastructure to solve global challenges. At the Canada Foundation for Innovation we are proud to invest in their work and in our nation’s future.”
– Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
“To pursue ground-breaking research initiatives that will improve the lives of Canadians, our researchers require state-of-the-art resources, facilities, and technologies—I am pleased to see this continued support for the extraordinary work being done at the University of Alberta and throughout Canada. I congratulate all of the recipients of the John R. Evans Leaders Fund and thank the Government of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation for these critical investments.”
– David Turpin, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Alberta
Quick facts
- Budget 2019 is making a historic investment of nearly $10 billion over five years in research and in the next generation of scientists. This includes the single largest investment in fundamental research in Canadian history.
- Budget 2018 set aside $763 million over five years for the CFI, and ongoing funding of $462 million per year starting in 2023. This permanent funding will put cutting-edge tools in the hands of our researchers and students to ensure they can make discoveries and innovate.
- The total funding of more than $61 million includes capital funding for infrastructure of $47,096,019 through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund and an additional $14,128,806 for incremental operating and maintenance costs awarded under the CFI’s Infrastructure Operating Fund.
Quick links
Canada Foundation for Innovation
John R. Evans Leaders Fund
The Research Facilities Navigator: A directory of publicly funded research facilities that are opening their doors to collaborations with industry, academia and government
Related products
A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities 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.
Contacts
| Malorie Bertrand Media Relations and Social Media Specialist Canada Foundation for Innovation O: 613-943-2580 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 | Daniele Medlej Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Science and Sport O: 343-291-4204 daniele.medlej@canada.ca |
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. And a robust innovation system 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.