Major new investment in diverse research talent ushers in a new era for discovery in Canada
News release
Canada adds 285 new research positions supporting equity, diversity, inclusiveness and early career researchers
November 13, 2018, Toronto, Ontario―Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat
Everyone benefits when our labs and classrooms look more like the Canada we see today. Diverse perspectives bring new ideas and drive creativity in science and research. The next generation of young researchers brings fresh thinking to science problem solving and discovery, which helps keep Canadian research at the forefront of discovery today and in the future.
Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced significant investments in the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) to attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds.
The announcement includes a new investment of $210 million over the next five years, through Budget 2018, that will add 285 new chairs. This announcement also includes a boost for early career researchers and new and currently active Tier 2 Chairs who are receiving an additional supplement of up to $20,000 to help them establish their research projects. This is in recognition of what was heard during consultations with the research community – a need for a boost to propel young researchers' careers forward.
The Government of Canada is also investing more than $156 million for 187 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 49 institutions across Canada from the most recent competition.
As well, the Canada Foundation for Innovation is providing $6.8 million in new funding for research infrastructure, supporting 28 chairs at 18 institutions.
The Minister joined new and renewed chairs at the University of Toronto to highlight the importance of fostering the creativity that leads to cutting-edge research. The event profiled Angela Schoellig, an internationally recognized scientist in the field of artificial intelligence, named to MIT's list of innovators under 35. The University of Toronto is receiving an investment of $19 million to support 21 new and renewed chairs.
"Our government is committed to promoting equity and diversity within research and to supporting the next generation of research leaders. These prestigious Canada Research Chairs are improving the lives of Canadians and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, helping ensure a bright future for Canada."
–Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
"We have come a long way in the last year to create opportunities for researchers through the Canada Research Chairs Program. A strong action plan to address equity, diversity and inclusion and a focus on early-career researchers will continue to strengthen the Canadian research enterprise and contribute to the social and economic well-being of Canadians."
–Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Chair of the Canada Research Chairs Program Steering Committee
"At the CFI we are proud to provide the infrastructure, which is the foundation for excellence in research. When we equip our researchers for success, we enable them to contribute to a better future."
–Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
Quick facts
- The Government of Canada is committed to promoting diversity: in the most recent chairs competition, women accounted for over 43 per cent of nominations. This is an historic high for this prestigious program.
The Government of Canada invests in research excellence in the areas of health sciences, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities through its three granting agencies: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
