Unique New Frontiers in Research Fund pushes boundaries by supporting interdisciplinary, cutting-edge research
April 4, 2022
Research that takes risks has the power to push the boundaries of innovation and change the way we think about and address issues that impact Canadians. That is why the Government of Canada continues to invest in cutting-edge, novel, interdisciplinary research with the potential to benefit Canadians across virtually all sectors of our economy and our society.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced a total of over $45 million in support for research projects through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). This combined investment will support 751 researchers, including 245 early career researchers. These projects were part of two competitions under the banner of the NFRF: the 2021 Exploration competition; and the NFRF special call on innovative approaches to research in the pandemic context.
This year's NFRF Exploration stream supports 102 research projects with the potential to yield innovative results in social, cultural, economic, health-related and technological areas. Research teams of two or more are receiving grants of up to $250,000 each over two years. Some of the innovative projects being funded include research on flood-resilient and climate-adaptive amphibious housing for Indigenous populations in Canada; the design of root system architectures that improve crop resilience to climate change; and Black creativity in the arts, sciences, technology and business.
The NFRF special call on innovative approaches to research in the pandemic context supports 90 research projects that will accelerate the development and testing of new directions in research methodologies. While the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted Canadian researchers' ability to conduct research, particularly community and field-based research, it has also provided a unique opportunity to explore new, innovative directions in how research is conducted. Funded projects include artificial-intelligence-based solutions to facilitate clinical trial enrolment, mobilizing a network of health communicators to investigate and respond to online abuse, and reimagining food systems for a sustainable and equitable future.
Through these research projects, Canadians can be confident in a future where we build back better, together.
