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. 

A drawing of an eagle representing First Nations, a narwhal representing Inuit, and a violin representing Métis. These illustrations are placed around the sun and surrounded by multicoloured smoke that represents Indigenous traditions, spirituality, inclusion and diversity.

Raising up Indigenous voices in research

For this National Indigenous History Month, discover research projects that are led by Indigenous researchers and which address the priorities of their communities
Read the collection
A graphic of several green coloured buildings against a backdrop of rolling green hills with windmills.
article
Ontario,British Columbia,Quebec
Keeping research infrastructure green
A nod to the efforts that CFI-funded labs are making to reduce their environmental impact
All articles
Université de Moncton Faculty of Science dean and researcher Céline Surette
podcast
New Brunswick
Meet Acadian researcher Céline Surette, for whom interdisciplinarity is second nature
Céline Surette embodies both the chemistry of living things and interdisciplinarity to serve the real needs and questions of communities. And to achieve this, and ensure that critical thinking triumphs, she'll pull out all the stops.
All podcasts
Image of various cellphones on a wooden table displaying photos of researchers.
video
A promising future, now: 25 years of investing in ideas that change our world
The Canada Foundation for Innovation has supported cutting-edge research in Canada for 25 years. In these videos, researchers reflect on how CFI funding has advanced their work and how future generations will benefit. They tell passionate stories of curiosity, commitment and innovation.
All videos

All stories

A green seedling in rich brown soil.
article
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
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
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
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
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
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
Photo of Trafford Simpson, professor of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo
podcast
Ontario
Sight for sore eyes
Trefford Simpson investigates how — and why — our eyes feel pain
A bottle spills out yellow tablets in the form of the letter “A.”
article
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
Image of Nathan Knapp-Blezius with hand drawn images of culinary arts swirling around him
video
Reinventing the grocery aisle
College student Nathan Knapp-Blezius mixes the culinary arts with a dash of scientific method to help food companies create scrumptious new products
Scientists work on innovative robotics technology in a modern laboratory.
article
The future belongs to the highly skilled
How working in leading-edge research labs is preparing a new generation for success, in the lab and out
A graphic of human hip bones with purple lights around the joints.
article
Alberta
Lasting mobility and joint health is bred in the bone for new research facility
A new facility at the University of Calgary will help researchers get closer to their goal of preventing and treating bone and joint diseases, a growing and often devastating problem for an aging population
Rachel Barre teaching a dance class to Parkinson's patients.
article
Ontario
Boosting brainpower at the barre
Researchers are learning how the unique combination of music and movement provided by learning dance can improve both the mental and physical health of Parkinson’s patients