Commonwealth: The Canadian government has committed to creating research excellence and a wide range of research to make Canadian researchers international leaders in innovation and discovery. In a significant press release, Honourable Mélanie Joly, Quebec Regions’ Minister of Industry and Economic Development, has assured that the federal government is investing more than $690 million in science and research funding to create Canada‘s competitive advantage in a dynamically growing research environment.
Of the funds invested, more than $482 million will be directed by the Research Support Fund (RSF), which is administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) on behalf of the three federal granting councils for Canada. Financing is meant to help the research institutions and researchers in Canada withstand increased stresses in the research environment and remain competitive on a global scale. RSF will provide financing for activities such as renovating the infrastructure, enhancing research infrastructure, and modernizing cybersecurity systems with the aim of realizing research innovations.
Additionally, over $198 million will go to 259 newly hired and reappointed Canada Research Chairs (CRCs). The investments will allow leading researchers and their teams in a range of disciplines—natural sciences, health, engineering, social sciences, and humanities—to achieve record achievements in areas such as artificial intelligence, Indigenous self-determination, mental health, obesity and aging, work and life transitions, and ocean engineering.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), a sponsor of the Canada Research Chairs Program, is also investing nearly $11 million to fund 43 research infrastructure projects in 27 institutions through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund. The fund guarantees the provision of highly equipped labs, equipment, and facilities to researchers, enabling them to conduct high-impact, high-quality research.
The release also provides $300,000 to the 2024 Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity. The award’s three winners will each receive $100,000 to implement projects that overcome systemic obstacles in postsecondary education, increase equity, and drive the power of change in Canada’s research community.
The RSF base fund enables institutions to subsidize indirect research costs and provide an exceptional research experience. More than $369 million of base RSF funds will be granted to 156 institutions, and $88 million will be granted to support through the Incremental Project Grants (IPG) stream. IPG helps fund projects in four main areas: new ideas and business activities; updating facilities, including fixing things that were put off; information resources, like digital tools, open access, and databases; and improving equity, diversity, and faculty Almost $25 million will be spent under the Research Security category to support 52 institutions in the enhancement of their capacity to respond to possible research security incidents.
Budget 2024 also requests increased support by investing $353.6 million over five years and $149.7 million in perpetuity in the IPG stream to fund indirect costs of more direct research funding. By doing this, Canadian research institutions are on par internationally and can meet the demands of emerging scientific challenges.
The Canada Research Chairs Program, worth up to $311 million annually, is created to recruit and retain the world’s best researchers. This program is making Canada a research superpower by embracing pioneering innovations in various areas of research across the nation.
The Robbins-Ollivier Excellence in Equity Award is also encouraging post-secondary institutions to further develop programs that eliminate systemic barriers, enhance equity, and foster inclusive research culture. It is provided by SSHRC on behalf of Canada through three federal granting councils: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and SSHRC, through the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat.
Through its collaboration with CFI, the Canada Research Chairs Program is able to equip researchers with what it takes to propel research further. By investing in infrastructure, equipment, and top-shelf human capital through a forward-thinking investment program, Canada is continuously amassing a solid research foundation, acquiring top human talent from around the globe, and propelling innovation that contributes to the economy and society.
