Research stories

Our investments support research that benefits Canadians

In CFI-funded labs and facilities across the country, researchers in all stages of their careers are making discoveries, supporting a robust innovation ecosystem and helping solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Strategic investments, national impact

Learn how innovations in areas that matter most to Canadians, including affordable housing, food sovereignty and national security, comes from the research made possible by CFI investments in cutting-edge labs and equipment.

Discover the innovations

David Jones wears protective laser glasses as he stands behind a prototype on his lab bench.

article

Oct 14, 2025 British Columbia

Zeroing in on critical minerals

New sensors can pinpoint profitable ore — and reduce the financial and environmental costs of mining

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podcast

May 8, 2025 Nova Scotia

Jan Rainey is untangling the mysteries of spider silks

The Dalhousie University researcher is looking to create synthetic versions of spider's silk that have the potential to help heal damaged nerves and damaged hearts

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video

Mar 28, 2025

Transforming research instincts into a successful business (March webinar)

Part of our Future You webinar series. This webinar features a new generation of researchers who share their challenges and successes as they made the move from researcher to entrepreneur. Watch the video to gain insights and receive valuable tips on how to start your own business.

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Pigtailed girl stands in front of chalkboard containing many mathematical

article

Sep 13, 2018 Alberta,Manitoba,Ontario

Mathematically speaking

As young people from kindergarten to university settle back into school, mathematics researchers give a few good reasons to love the subject some students dread

Houses on Datça Peninsula in Turkey surrounded with clear blue water and a sandy beach

article

May 28, 2018 Ontario

Diving off the Datça

How one maritime archaeologist from Brock University explores ancient shipwrecks for evidence of old-world trade systems

Two hands hold a screen horizontally with a holographic image of a city skyline rising up from the screen

article

May 1, 2018 Ontario,Alberta,Newfoundland and Labrador

Goodbye two dimensional screens, hello holographics

Two research facilities at the universities of Waterloo and Alberta are crucial to a Newfoundland company’s bid to lead the charge on holographic technologies

article

Apr 3, 2018 Saskatchewan

Cultivating better ergonomics for farmers

University of Saskatchewan researchers are learning why three quarters of Canadian farmers experience lower back pain, and proposing ways to alleviate it

article

Apr 3, 2018 Nova Scotia

Know thy soil

Dalhousie University agricultural scientist Derek Lynch is giving Canadian farmers a better understanding of the material at the very root of their businesses: soil

A woman stands in a fallow field talking on a smart phone and consulting a tablet.

article

Apr 3, 2018 Ontario

Digital on the farm

For University of Guelph researcher Helen Hambly Odame the future of Canadian agricultural success lies in harnessing the tools of the digital revolution

A greenhouse glows yellow at night in a snowy background.

article

Apr 3, 2018 Manitoba

Hothouses for cold places

University of Manitoba researcher Qiang Zhang wants to use shipping containers to provide food to northern communities — but not to ship it. To grow it.

A brown and white cow stands knee-deep in grass

article

Apr 3, 2018 Alberta

Helping ranchers pick the best genes

At the University of Alberta, a CFI-supported project has grown into a world-class livestock genetics research program

An aerial shot of a patchwork of green and fallow fields

article

Apr 3, 2018 British Columbia

Harvesting big data

For University of British Columbia researcher Navin Ramankutty the future of sustainable agriculture grows out of a mix of algorithms, big data and powerful computers

Master's student Ryan Greene posing for a photo over a blue background.

article

Mar 22, 2018 Newfoundland and Labrador

Preventing back injuries in the work place

Master’s student, Ryan Greene, seeks to discover whether prolonged sitting causes back pain and injuries

A bottle spills out yellow tablets in the form of the letter “A.”

article

Feb 23, 2018 Manitoba

A vitamin to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Researchers at the University of Manitoba have produced compelling evidence that a vitamin A supplement could help prevent a disorder that affects more kids than you might expect