Funding will support students and researchers in fields from agriculture to mathematics
May 24, 2019 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Fresh ideas have the power to change the way we view the world and can lead to discoveries that will help solve some of our biggest challenges. When we invest in the innovative and creative work being done by our scientists and researchers, we are helping to ensure that our health, environment, communities and economy thrive.
Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced an investment of over $12 million to support discovery research at Dalhousie University through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Discovery Grants program. The funding is part of an unprecedented investment of more than $588 million that will go to more than 4,850 researchers and students across the country, as announced earlier this week by Minister Duncan.
This investment stems from the historic $4 billion for research committed in Budget 2018 and will support graduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships for students in the natural sciences and engineering. It includes support for nearly 500 early career researchers who will bring a diversity of new voices and new insights to their fields.
At Dalhousie University, today's funding will support researchers working in fields ranging from agriculture and earth sciences to industrial engineering and mathematics.
This investment is part of Canada's Science Vision and the Government of Canada's commitment of more than $10 billion to science, which includes the largest-ever increase in funding for fundamental research.
"The funding announced today demonstrates our strong and enduring commitment to science and researchers. Our government has worked hard to bring science and research back to their rightful place, and this historic investment in the discoveries of tomorrow is just one example of how we are achieving this goal."
- The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
"NSERC's Discovery Grants, scholarships and fellowships provide a firm foundation for the research programs of thousands of exceptional researchers at every stage in their career. These students, post-doctoral fellows and professors make up the backbone of Canada's science and engineering research enterprise."
- Dr. Digvir Jayas, Interim President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
"We are so pleased to have Minister Duncan on campus today to announce this year's Discovery Grant recipients. The support being provided by the Government of Canada and NSERC helps our researchers lead the way forward in critically important areas and further impact their respective fields."
- Peter MacKinnon, Interim President, Dalhousie University
"Thank you to the Government of Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for their ongoing support of the world-class research happening at Dalhousie University. Our researchers have unique and essential expertise that is helping to solve some of the most complex issues facing the world, and we are incredibly proud to have them call our community home."
- Dr. Alice Aiken, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Dalhousie University
Quick facts
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The investment announced on May 21 includes $426 million in Discovery Grants going to more than 2,295 researchers across the full range of science and engineering disciplines.
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It also includes $6.2 million in Discovery Launch Supplements going to 499 early career researchers in the first year of their Discovery Grants to help them launch their careers.
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$83 million in scholarships and fellowships to support nearly 1,700 graduate students and fellows in the early stages of their careers.
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The Government of Canada recently launched Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada. This new pilot program, which is inspired by the United Kingdom's internationally recognized Athena SWAN Charter, will address systemic barriers in research, particularly those experienced by members of under-represented or disadvantaged groups.
