OTTAWA, ON — At a time of intense international competition, it is critical that Canadian universities have the research equipment and laboratories they need to be attractive career destinations for the very best of today’s and tomorrow’s researchers. The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) is a valuable strategic investment tool designed to help institutions do just this. The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), in collaboration with the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program, developed the JELF-CRC partnership to create competitive packages for the funding of infrastructure and research support at institutions.
Today, the CFI has provided close to $14 million to 57 Canada Research Chairs at 27 universities for the cutting-edge equipment they need to carry out their important work. The funded projects include a community-based research program to reduce rates of breast cancer in rural communities, in particular; improving cybersecurity to protect critical infrastructures such as power grids and water supply; increasing the resilience of Canadian forests to climate change, and to improve predictions of future forest conditions globally; and reducing the environmental footprint of electronic devices.
Quotes
“Our government is taking action to attract and retain the world’s brightest and most distinguished researchers. For over 20 years, the Canada Research Chairs Program has been mobilizing Canada’s most esteemed academics to train and mentor the next generation of researchers and pursue groundbreaking research that responds to society’s economic, social and health needs. Congratulations to the new and renewed Canada Research Chairs! I look forward to seeing where your research and innovation leads us.”
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“The Canada Foundation for Innovation was created to attract and retain excellent researchers in Canada. Supporting these Chairs coincides precisely with one of our foundational goals. We are very pleased to contribute to enhancing the research environment and to enable new talent to join the vital research underway in universities across the country.”
– Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
“The Canada Research Chairs Program is committed to excellence in research and research training. Such excellence can only be achieved in an environment that fully respects and promotes the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and by advancing knowledge across a variety of research disciplines—from developing new technologies to help clean and protect our oceans, to creating better and more inclusive education systems for our youth, and to applying machine learning to the field of biomedicine. In this way, the program provides an outstanding platform for creating the conditions necessary for Canada to respond to global challenges, now and in future.”
– Ted Hewitt, Chair, Canada Research Chair Program Steering Committee and President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Quick facts
- The total investment of $13,815,890 includes $3,188,282 awarded under the CFI’s Infrastructure Operating Fund which assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.
- The JELF enables a select number of an institution’s excellent researchers to undertake leading-edge research by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure required to be or become leaders in their field.
- In turn, this enables institutions to remain internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development, aligned with their strategic priorities.
Quick links
John R. Evans Leaders Fund
The Canada Research Chairs Program
The CFI Research Facilities Navigator: An online database of labs and facilities that are open to working with business
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. Fostering a robust innovation system in Canada 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.
Contacts
| Malorie Bertrand Media Relations and Social Media Specialist Canada Foundation for Innovation C: 613-227-0198 malorie.bertrand [at] innovation.ca |
John Power Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry O: 343-550-1456 john.power [at] canada.ca |
| Media Relations Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada O: 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic [at] canada.ca |
John R. Evans Leaders Fund / Fonds des leaders John-R.-Evans
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Institution / Établissement |
Projects approved / Projets appuyés |
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1 |
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4 |
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3 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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1 |
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2 |
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Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD University) |
1 |
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4 |
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2 |
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2 |
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2 |
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3 |
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1 |
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Université du Québec - Institut national de la recherche scientifique |
1 |
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7 |
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3 |
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2 |
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2 |
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1 |
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1 |
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2 |
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2 |
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3 |
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3 |
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Total 27 institutions / établissements |
57 |
John R. Evans Leaders Fund / Fonds des leaders John-R.-Evans
Funding for infrastructure associated with a Canada Research Chair /
Financement de l’infrastructure liée à une Chaire de recherche du Canada
List of approved projects by institution / Liste des projets appuyés par établissement
NOTE:
As part of this announcement, an additional $3,188,282 was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, a mechanism that assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.
 NOTER :
Dans le cadre de cette annonce, la FCI a attribué 3 188 282 $ additionnels à même le Fonds d’exploitation des infrastructures, un programme qui aide les établissements bénéficiaires à faire face aux coûts d’exploitation et de maintenance découlant de leurs nouvelles infrastructures.