Supporting research that matters to Canadians
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Canada’s researchers play a crucial role in advancing our society. Whether addressing the many facets of the global climate crisis, developing new generations of highly performing materials or innovating in the food sector, bright minds at Canadian universities, colleges, cégeps and polytechnics are driving innovation at home and on the world stage.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Filmore announced close to $45 million in Government of Canada funding through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to ensure researchers have the labs and equipment they need to carry out world-class research and technology development.
The investments will support 150 projects at 43 institutions across the country:
- More than $30 million to 136 research infrastructure projects at 31 universities through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), will help institutions attract and retain the very best researchers.
- More than $14 million to 14 projects at 12 colleges, cégeps and polytechnics through the CFI’s College-Industry Innovation Fund (CIIF), will help colleges support innovation by providing state-of-the-art, industry-relevant research infrastructure to find innovative solutions that keep Canadian business competitive at the international level.
Projects supported through the two funding programs include:
- Using ultrafast light to create alternative sources of energy
Synthetic materials will play an increasingly important role in Canadian society as we seek alternatives to fossil fuels. Using a newly funded ultrafast laser, Julianne Gibbs at the University of Alberta will characterize these materials on a molecular level to optimize their performance to produce solar power, and to convert sunlight into a fuel like methanol using CO2 or other green carbon sources.
- Training the next generation of hydrometeorologists in a quickly changing world
West-central British Columbia is one of the wettest regions on the planet, routinely faced with heavy precipitation and icing. Yet summer droughts, intense thunderstorms and high winds ignite and sustain destructive wildfires. Stephen Dery at University of Northern British Columbia is creating the Monitoring Extreme Climate and Hydrometeorological Events (MECHE) observatory. It will be used to train the next generation of hydrometeorologists on state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to help address a warming climate that affects individuals, ecosystems, infrastructures and socioeconomic activity.
- Innovating for the marine and food products industry
To better meet the analytical needs of the marine products processing industry, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and its college centre for technology transfer (CCTT) is getting equipment for the characterisation of the chemical properties of marine and food products. With new cutting-edge tools, researcher Marie-Gil Fortin and her lab colleagues will be able to drive innovation to stimulate job creation and increase the bottom line for these companies.
- Leading the charge to electric for the mining industry
While the shift from diesel to electricity is already well underway, there is still a long way to go before the mining industry is in a position to fully transition to electric. By establishing the Battery Electric Vehicle Lab, Cambrian College and its Director, Applied Research & Innovation, Michael Commito, hope to encourage this industry to adopt battery electric vehicles and equipment. Ultimately, this project will allow companies to lower operating costs, improve worker health and safety and play a part in fighting climate change.
Quotes
“Over the last seven years, our government has taken concrete action to restore the role of science and researchers, and we will continue to support this sector by adding action to attract and retain the best and brightest Canadian talent at institutions across the country. Today’s investments will ensure that researchers at our colleges and universities have the equipment and spaces they need to flourish and tackle our most pressing challenges, like climate change, health care and economic security. I’m eager to see where these researchers’ bold and visionary ideas will take us in the years to come.”
- The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“Innovation is built on new ideas and discoveries that can be implemented not only to enable major scientific advances, but to improve the daily lives of every Canadian. Through the projects supported by the CFI today, and through increased collaboration between the academic and entrepreneurial sectors, society benefits from the tangible improvements that will contribute to makings Canada an even more prosperous nation.”
- Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
Quick facts
- Funding provided through JELF helps institutions attract and retain outstanding researchers. It also contributes to acquiring the tools that enable the innovative work of those researchers, and offers research infrastructure that, when combined with support from partner organizations, creates a highly competitive package for attracting talent.
- The $30 million JELF investment includes $7,035,833 awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF), a mechanism that assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.
- The CIIF supports research infrastructure projects that augment the existing applied research and technology development capacity of colleges, and allow them to respond to important industry needs.
- The $14 million CIIF investment includes $3,322,219 awarded under the IOF.
Quick links
- Canada Foundation for Innovation
- John R. Evans Leaders Fund
- College-Industry Innovation Fund
- CFI Research Facilities Navigator : our online database of labs and facilities that are opening their doors to collaborations with industry, academia and government
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
For 25 years, the Canada Foundation for Innovation has been making financial contributions to Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research organizations to increase their capability to carry out high-quality research. The CFI invests in infrastructure that researchers need to think big, innovate and push the boundaries of knowledge. It helps institutions 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.
A promising future, now
25 years of investing in ideas that change our world
Social Media
For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA , LinkedIn , Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel to find videos about the CFI and its transformative research projects. Follow our 25th anniversary activities through #PromisingFutureNow .
Contacts
Benoît Clément
Media Relations and Social Media Specialist
Canada Foundation for Innovation
C: 613-943-2580
benoit.clement@innovation.ca
Laurie Bouchard
Senior Manager, Communications
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
laurie.bouchard@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media Relations
Innovation, Science, and Economic
Development Canada
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
College-Industry Innovation Fund (CIIF) – Stream 1
Projects funded
|
Institution |
Project title |
Maximum CFI contribution |
|---|---|---|
|
Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology |
Battery Electric Vehicle Lab |
$1,000,000 |
|
Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles |
Maintien et développement du laboratoire de caractérisation des propriétés chimiques de produits marins et alimentaires |
1 000 000 $ |
|
Cégep de Rimouski |
Renforcement de l'infrastructure de recherche appliquée en conversion thermochimique de la ressource bois |
315 441 $ |
|
Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe |
Agrandissement du Groupe CTT et ajout d’équipements Spéciaux |
994 673 $ |
|
Cégep de Thetford |
Monitoring in-situ de procédés chimiques par FTIR en flux continu et l'échelle pilote |
196 660 $ |
|
Cégep de Trois-Rivières |
Consolidation of the Research Capacity in Aluminum Processing |
1 000 000 $ |
|
Renforcement stratégique d’équipements pour le développement de produits cellulosiques innovants |
1 000 000 $ |
|
|
Cégep Édouard-Montpetit |
Fabrication, finition, caractérisation et inspection de pièces en composites à matrice céramique |
1 000 000 $ |
|
College of the North Atlantic |
Lidar and Photogrammetry Infrastructure to Support Research into the Production and Application of Digital Twins |
$281,908 |
|
Lambton College |
Lambton Water Centre (LWC) |
$392,576 |
|
Niagara College |
NextGen Greenhouse Excellence at Niagara College |
$892,807 |
|
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology |
Building Integrated Renewable Energy Infrastructure |
$1,000,000 |
|
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) |
NAIT Resource Industry Circular Economy Research Laboratory: Adding Value to Resources Sector By-Products and Waste |
$1,000,000 |
|
De-risking Advanced Industrial Process Water Treatment Technology Development |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
TOTAL |
14 projects |
$11,074,065 |
NOTE:
As part of this announcement, an additional $3,322,219 was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, a mechanism that assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.
John R. Evans Leaders Fund
|
Institution |
Projects Approved |
|---|---|
|
Carleton University |
2 |
|
Dalhousie University |
8 |
|
Lakehead University |
2 |
|
McGill University |
8 |
|
McMaster University |
2 |
|
Memorial University of Newfoundland |
2 |
|
Polytechnique Montréal |
1 |
|
Queen’s University |
2 |
|
Ryerson University |
2 |
|
Simon Fraser University |
5 |
|
Trent University |
1 |
|
Université de Montréal |
9 |
|
Université de Sherbrooke |
1 |
|
Université du Québec à Montréal |
2 |
|
Université Laval |
7 |
|
University of Alberta |
11 |
|
University of British Columbia (The) |
16 |
|
University of Calgary |
6 |
|
University of Guelph |
1 |
|
University of Manitoba |
6 |
|
University of Northern British Columbia |
2 |
|
University of Ontario Institute of Technology |
2 |
|
University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa |
5 |
|
University of Regina |
1 |
|
University of Saskatchewan |
1 |
|
University of Toronto |
12 |
|
University of Victoria |
1 |
|
University of Waterloo |
8 |
|
University of Western Ontario (The) |
4 |
|
University of Winnipeg (The) |
2 |
|
York University |
4 |
|
Total Institutions 31 |
136 |
|
Project Title |
Maximum CFI Contribution |
|---|---|
|
Carleton University |
|
|
Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Resilience-oriented Energy Management and Control for Cyber-physical Microgrids |
$75,001 |
|
High Resolution Raman Microspectroscopy for Tissue Engineered Materials and Devices |
$119,999 |
|
2 projects |
$195,000 |
|
Dalhousie University |
|
| Molecular Dissection of Circuits in the Visual System |
$125,000 |
|
International Migration Research Lab |
$49,112 |
|
Understanding Sex Differences in Pathophysiology of Right (-sided) Heart Failure for Development of Novel Therapies |
$125,000 |
|
Re-grounding Indigenous Women and Land and Water Based Laws |
$56,533 |
|
A biomolecular NMR Facility Supporting Structural Biology, Protein Engineering and Mechanistic Studies |
$800,000 |
|
Mi’kmaw Cultural Research Lab |
$70,265 |
|
Assessing and Leveraging Mountain Wetlands for Water Supply and Carbon Storage |
$85,000 |
|
Early Intervention to Reduce the Burden of Severe Mental Illness |
$175,333 |
|
8 projects |
$1,486,243 |
|
Lakehead University |
|
| Rational Design of Molecular-based Low-dimensional Quantum Materials |
$100,080 |
|
A New Research Infrastructure for Intelligent Diagnostics and Prognostics of Electric Machines |
$102,671 |
|
2 projects |
$202,751 |
|
McGill University |
|
| Big Biomedical Data and Machine Learning to Understand the Human Association Cortex |
100 154 $ |
|
Biomaterials and Device Engineering Laboratory |
214 908 $ |
|
Exploring Chemical Diversity in Legume Species and Building Biofoundries for High-value Metabolites |
380 170 $ |
| Lyman Laboratory of Insect Diversity and Phylogenomics |
309 495 $ |
|
Adaptive and Stable Control of Legged Robotics in Complex Environments |
150 000 $ |
|
Urban Boundary-layer Processes and their Links to Sustainability and Resilience |
97 200 $ |
|
The Laboratory for Microbial Evolutionary Genomics |
205 170 $ |
|
Heterogeneous Integration Lab |
115 300 $ |
|
8 projets |
1 572 397 $ |
|
McMaster University |
|
| Laboratory Infrastructure to Optimize Methods for Treating Swallowing Impairments in People Living with Dementia |
$107,500 |
|
Chemistry at Environmental Interfaces: Implications for Air Quality, Pollutant Fate, and Cultural Heritage Conservation |
$120,000 |
|
2 projects |
$227,500 |
|
Memorial University of Newfoundland |
|
| The Micro-Ultrasound Lab: A Platform for Translational Preclinical Imaging |
$172,290 |
|
Advanced Imaging Facility for the Visualization of Live and Complex Biological Specimens |
$173,670 |
|
2 projects |
$345,960 |
|
Polytechnique Montréal |
|
| Plasma Reactivity for Novel Cancer Therapies and Sustainability (PEARL) |
145 000 $ |
|
1 projet |
145 000 $ |
|
Queen’s University |
|
| State-of-the-art Live Imaging Platform to Study Plant Stress Signaling |
$61,487 |
|
Elucidating Drinking Water Quality Degradation in Distribution Systems and Premise Plumbing |
$125,000 |
|
2 projects |
$186,487 |
|
Ryerson University |
|
| Brain–environment Synchrony as a Path to Understanding Listening Success |
$76,000 |
|
Towards the Processing and Characterization of Bioactive Glasses |
$76,000 |
|
2 projects |
$152,000 |
|
Simon Fraser University |
|
| Thermo-Fluid Test Laboratory for Optimized, Additively Manufactured Designs |
$100,000 |
|
Development of an Innovative Combined Optical and Position Calibration System for Future Neutrino Telescopes |
$200,000 |
|
Innovative Multifunctional Materials for Enhancing the Performance and Longevity of CO2 Capture and Conversion Systems |
$200,000 |
|
Vehicle Track Interaction Research Laboratory |
$100,000 |
|
The Precursor Laboratory: Emerging Scenographic Technologies for Live Performance |
$316,000 |
|
5 projects |
$916,000 |
|
Trent University |
|
| Facility for Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Catalysis |
$55,433 |
|
1 project |
$55,433 |
|
Université de Montréal |
|
| Intestinal Microbiota Manipulation used to Improve Public and Animal Health |
94 610 $ |
|
Multi-brAin Recording and stiMulatiOn plaTform (MARMOT) |
112 377 $ |
|
The Integrative Plant Systematics Laboratory |
207 733 $ |
|
Antibody Responses and B Cell Lymphoma Derived from Germinal Centers |
159 978 $ |
|
Modeling and Simulation of Neocortical Learning and Mechanisms of Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
75 100 $ |
|
Deciphering the Role of Astrocytes in Stress-induced Synaptic Dysfunction |
100 000 $ |
|
High Sensitivity Mass Spectrometry Platform for the Discovery of Tumor-specific Antigens and the Identification of Prote |
588 783 $ |
|
Bacterial Cell Shape and Size |
120 000 $ |
|
Plateforme d’imagerie multiphotonique en immersion virtuelle pour étude de la microcircuiterie visuelle en action |
289 076 $ |
|
9 projets |
1 747 657 $ |
|
Université de Sherbrooke |
|
| Infrastructure for the Development of Electrochemical Biosensors |
130 000 $ |
|
1 projet |
130 000 $ |
|
Université du Québec à Montréal |
|
| Le P'tit Labo |
214 686 $ |
|
Infrastructure to Investigate Plant Resilience to Environmental Stress using Functional Genomics and Structural Biology |
345 310 $ |
|
2 projets |
559 996 $ |
|
Université Laval |
|
| Role of Platelets and Extracellular Vesicles in Inflammation |
136 800 $ |
|
Plateforme de mesure et d’analyse des conditions environnementales et des émissions atmosphériques en milieu d’élevage |
86 460 $ |
|
Investigation of the Epigenetic and Transcriptional Mechanisms Underlying Microglia Cell Functions in the Brain |
30% 249 $ |
| Microcircuiterie et neuroplasticité adaptative des ganglions de la base dans la maladie de Parkinson |
114 535 $ |
|
La conception de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques et la résonance magnétique nucléaire |
202 612 $ |
|
Advanced Inclusions Microthermometry (AIM) Platform |
125 004 $ |
|
Co-DOT 4.0 |
198 491 $ |
|
7 projets |
993 151 $ |
|
University of Alberta |
|
| Laboratory for Microwave Processing in the Natural Resources Sector |
$125,000 |
|
Agricultural Biotechnology and Integrated Pest Management: Enhancing Agricultural Production in the Prairie Provinces |
$195,882 |
|
Establishment of a Cardiac Immunopathology Suite |
$132,197 |
|
Quantitative Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Proteins for Clinical Diagnostics and Environmental Surveillance |
$158,616 |
|
Collaborative Ultrafast Spectroscopy Laboratory (CUSL) for Materials and Device Characterization |
$660,000 |
|
Human Chondrodysplasia Research Laboratory |
$160,000 |
|
Examining Tree Diversity and Productivity Relationships in an Experiment: Adaptation of Boreal Forests to Climate Change |
$185,150 |
|
An Infrastructure for Thermal Well Simulation at High Pressure and High Temperature |
$80,000 |
|
High Throughput Honey Bee Biology and Health Studies |
$100,000 |
|
Automation Infrastructure for both Fundamental and Applied Functional Genomics |
$88,886 |
|
An Electrophysiology Suite for Understanding Disorders of Membrane Transport |
$98,999 |
|
11 projects |
$1,984,730 |
|
University of British Columbia (The) |
|
| Infrastructure for Investigations of the Cognition, Behavior, and Ecology of Urban Wildlife |
$125,000 |
|
Language and Development Lab |
$92,999 |
|
Earth Observation and Spatial Ecology Lab |
$150,000 |
|
Integrated SOILRES Platform for Advanced Study of Soil Processes Driving Agroecosystem Resilience Under Climate Change |
$125,000 |
|
Infrastructure to Establish a Combined Regenerative and Precision Medicine Reproductive Research Program |
$125,000 |
|
DARE | Digital Archaeology Research Environment Lab |
$106,078 |
|
Fluvial Landscapes Platform (LegoFlume) |
$74,488 |
|
The Canadian Arcminute Resolution Magnetoionic Medium Survey (CARMIMS) |
$140,000 |
|
Development of Natural Language Processing & Machine Learning to Accelerate Breast Cancer Outcomes Research |
$125,000 |
| Metabolic Monitoring of Immune Cell Function |
$125,000 |
|
Automated Growth and Screening Platform for Elucidating Crop Water Requirements |
$125,000 |
|
Basic and Applied Investigations of Motor Imagery to Promote Recovery After Stroke |
$125,000 |
|
Quantitative Ecology Laboratory with a Focus on Animal Conservation |
$114,842 |
|
Functional Metabolism and Transport using Mass Spectrometry (MeTSpec) |
$180,000 |
|
Truth and Trust Lab: A Request for Observational, Physiological, and Social Judgment Research Infrastructure |
$121,376 |
|
A Functional Genomics Platform for Analysis of Cancer-associated Glycosylation |
$125,000 |
|
16 projects |
$1,979,783 |
|
University of Calgary |
|
| Healthy and Resilient Communities Through Participatory Approaches to Sustainable Infrastructure |
$131,081 |
|
Multiaxial Ultrasound Transducers for High Precision Transcranial Therapy |
$140,178 |
|
Next Generation 3D Bioprinting for Organ-on-Chips |
$200,000 |
|
Intelligent Flow Control and FSI Research Facility for Wind Energy and Autonomous Systems |
$100,000 |
|
Decentralized Finance |
$50,000 |
|
Impact of Early Life Stress on Brain Networks and Mood Regulation |
$120,000 |
|
6 projects |
$741,259 |
|
University of Guelph |
|
| High Resolution Soil Moisture from UAVs |
$36,392 |
|
1 project |
$36,392 |
|
University of Manitoba |
|
| Infrastructure to Advance Food Protein Processing and Bioproducts Applications |
$160,000 |
|
Characterizing Thin Layer and Deep Bed Drying to Optimize Grain Drying |
$149,945 |
|
Integrated Spatial and Temporal Fluorescence Spectroscopy to Quantify Nanoscale Events in Complex Biological Systems |
$160,000 |
|
Development of Spatial RNA-sequencing Platform to Understand Disease Heterogeneity |
$328,744 |
|
Electrical Lab-on-a-chip Devices for Medical and Biopharmaceutical Applications |
$159,731 |
|
Infrastructure to Study the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Antiviral Immunity |
$344,376 |
|
6 projects |
$1,302,796 |
|
University of Northern British Columbia |
|
| Monitoring Extreme Climate and Hydrometeorological Events (MECHE) |
$97,150 |
|
Terahertz Innovation Hub |
$99,969 |
|
2 projects |
$197,119 |
|
University of Ontario Institute of Technology |
|
| Adaptive Hybrid Manufacturing of Reactive Metals |
$151,121 |
|
Cybersecurity and Resiliency Testing Infrastructure |
$78,949 |
|
2 projects |
$230,070 |
|
University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa |
|
| Spatially Resolved Single Cell Proteomics for Next Generation Translational Medicine |
$271,732 |
|
Assessment of Sex and Age Differences in Psychosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer’s Disease |
$252,186 |
|
Experimental and Computational Platform for Brain Dynamics |
$500,000 |
|
Probing Earth’s deep time – Advanced Research Facility for Geochronology |
$292,428 |
|
Parallel Nanopore Electronics for High Throughput Nanopore Research |
$155,514 |
|
5 projects |
$1,471,860 |
|
University of Regina |
|
| Cold-region Water Resource Recovery Laboratory |
$168,176 |
|
1 project |
$168,176 |
|
University of Saskatchewan |
|
| Green SkEye: Greenhouse Imaging and Analytics for Omics Innovation in Agriculture |
$125,000 |
|
1 project |
$125,000 |
|
University of Toronto |
|
| DNA Nanomaterials for Connective Tissue Diseases |
$159,730 |
|
Picture This: A Multi-organ Imaging Bank for Childhood Disability-specific Protocols and Outcomes |
$237,396 |
|
Frailty, Sarcopenia, Exercise, and Prevention of Dementia at the Kimel Centre for Brain Health |
$100,000 |
|
Fabrication and Characterization of Soft Conductive Materials for Sensing, Actuation and Energy Storage |
$125,000 |
|
FLASH Irradiator |
$396,428 |
|
Learning with Discrete Structure |
$160,000 |
|
Optimizing Balance Training for Fall Prevention |
$75,100 |
|
Investigating Altered Neurochemistry and Cellular Pathology in Aging and Dementia: From Animal Models to Humans |
$219,696 |
| Chemical Genetic Exploitation of the Nematode C. elegans to Develop New Drugs, Nematicides, and Small Molecule Tools |
$277,945 |
|
Computational Biomarkers Indicative of Swallowing and Gait Functional Declines |
$150,000 |
|
Interdisciplinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory |
$199,106 |
|
Modeling and Validation of Immunometabolic Atlas Benchmarking Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Multiple Sclerosis |
$629,000 |
|
12 projects |
$2,729,401 |
|
University of Victoria |
|
| Understanding People's Relationships with Data to Design Better Information Futures |
$175,000 |
|
1 project |
$175,000 |
|
University of Waterloo |
|
| Virtual Mobility Lab (VML) for Innovative Transportation Research |
$174,850 |
|
An Advanced Evaporator for Dedicated High-quality and High-precision Indium Deposition |
$145,000 |
|
Realistic Over-the-air Test System for Researching Wireless and Satellite Communications at up to 44 GHz |
$270,000 |
|
An Integrated Digital Platform for Occupant-centric Building Operation |
$160,000 |
|
Measurement Systems for Investigating Speech Communication |
$80,000 |
|
Experimental Modelling of Aquatic Microbial Hosts and their Viruses |
$100,000 |
|
Infrastructure for the Analysis of Multi-phase Flows for Airborne Disease Mitigation and Pollution Control |
$180,000 |
|
Laboratory Investigation of Geosynthetics Reinforced Pavement System in Response to Low Temperature and Climate Change |
$90,000 |
|
8 projects |
$1,199,850 |
|
University of Western Ontario (The) |
|
| Integrated Molecular and Spatial Profiling for Complex Chronic Diseases |
$531,362 |
|
Impact Biomechanics Lab |
$155,884 |
|
Movement & Applied Imaging Laboratory |
$213,098 |
|
High-performance and Safe Next-generation All-solid-state Na Batteries: Materials and Interfaces |
$346,296 |
|
4 projects |
$1,246,640 |
|
University of Winnipeg (The) |
|
| Laboratory of Osteoarchaeology |
$151,137 |
|
Centre for Molecular Structure Determination |
$120,000 |
|
2 projects |
$271,137 |
|
York University |
|
| Multifunctional Aerogel Innovation Platform |
$140,000 |
|
Building Infostructure for Quasi-experimental Analysis in Global Legal Epidemiology |
$200,000 |
|
Novel Targets of Whole-food Dairy Products for Human Musculoskeletal and Cardiometabolic Health |
$125,000 |
|
Research Apiary to Study Honey Bee Behaviour, Genetics and Health |
$212,990 |
|
4 projects |
$677,990 |
NOTE:
As part of this announcement, an additional $7,035,833 was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF), a mechanism that assists institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the new infrastructure.