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
SuperDARN antennas with aurora borealis in the sky above.
article
Saskatchewan

Securing Canada’s Arctic sovereignty with early warning radar tech

How a research project designed to study aurora borealis is set to transform Canada’s Arctic surveillance capability
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podcast
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
All podcasts
video

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.
All videos

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A world map containing heat signatures.
article
Ontario,New Brunswick,Nova Scotia

PART XVII: It protects our planet

Racing against time to catalogue all of Earth’s species. University of Guelph.
Robert Godin sits inside a bright warehouse, playing one of the guitars made by his company, Godin Guitars. The shelves behind him are full of guitars.
video
Quebec

Made to fit: technology helps musicians find the perfect guitar

Godin Guitars partners with McGill University to bring a dream to life
A goldfish swims with a shark fin strapped to its back
article
Prince Edward Island,Ontario,British Columbia

Small but mighty research institutions

A collection of three research projects from small universities that prove that when it comes to staying at the cutting-edge, size doesn’t matter
Image of a marine creature's skeleton overlayed on an underwater background.
article
Ontario

Reconstructing the ancient Arctic

Trent University’s Paul Szpak is using animal remains from archaeological sites to reconstruct Arctic ecosystems of the past
A conceptual drawing showing the muscle structure of a human shoulder and a burst of light to indicate pain. Medical icons in the background.
article
Prince Edward Island

How healing happens

By understanding how muscle tissue repairs itself, Adam Johnston at the University of Prince Edward Island hopes to find ways to combat aging and improve athletic performance
A dark blue cityscape overlain with rings of white digital icons
article
British Columbia

Seeing the future in augmented reality

Maria Lantin at Emily Carr University of Art + Design creates environments that are enhanced by technology to predict how virtual realities will change how we interact with each other and the space around us
Graphic representation of radio transceiver hardware
video
Quebec

Digital radio technology more reliable than Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Researchers developed a new wireless transceiver that reduces our smartphones’ energy consumption
A graphic of many white dots connected by blue lines, arranged in the shape of a brain
article

How remembering happens

Sheena Josselyn at Toronto’s SickKids hospital is figuring out how one memory triggers another, with important implications for treating things like post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia

Bright orange flames and dark grey smoke engulf a coniferous forest
article
Quebec

Forecasting future forest fires

Université Laval’s Steven Cumming uses sophisticated computer models to predict how a warming climate will influence forest fires in southern Quebec. The results aren’t what you might expect.
The soles of a child’s blue rubber boots, caked in mud
article
British Columbia

Let them eat dirt

The University of British Columbia’s Brett Finlay demonstrated that microbes might protect children against asthma, more evidence that exposure to bacteria keeps us healthy
Still from video of two snow removal trucks being deployed
video
Quebec

A safeguard against potholes

A new feat of engineering will prevent snowplough vehicles from damaging our roads
2 researchers being interviewed with one of them holding an enlarged replica of a molecule.
video
Quebec

Improving treatment for blood diseases

A new molecule that stimulates the reproduction of stem cells will help treat a larger number of patients with blood diseases