Investments will strengthen Canadian universities as world leaders
HALIFAX, NS, May 12, 2023 /CNW/ — Universities across Canada are driving innovation, supporting scientific discovery, and educating the researchers and workforce of tomorrow. To ensure Canada remains at the forefront of research, innovation and wealth creation, the federal government invests in fostering the success of our researchers.
Today Parliamentary Secretary Andy Fillmore and Honorable Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser highlighted the investment of more than $154 million made in support of University Dalhousie through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (Pinnacle Fund). This support is part of the $1.4 billion investment in 11 major research initiatives announced on April 28, 2023 by Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honorable François-Philip Champagne. This investment will allow Canadian university researchers to build on the strengths of their research sectors and attract capital and world-class talent.
At Dalhousie University, scientists are working as part of the Transforming Climate Action: The Forgotten Ocean Question initiative to better understand how the oceans are changing in response to climate change. New approaches are being developed to mitigate climate change and improve equity and equity in the relationship between oceans, climate and people. Therefore, the Transforming Climate Action initiative, like other Pinnacle Fund-supported initiatives, will foster community, regional, national and international partnerships among the academic, private and non-profit sectors to conduct research that will have significant social and economic benefits for Canadians.
Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions in our communities, treating and preventing brain and heart disease, or making discoveries through responsible artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced computing, the Pinnacle program helps Canadian scientists become global pioneers and strengthens Canada’s social and technological innovation ecosystems.
quotes
“Today’s research is tomorrow’s economy. From the beginning, our government has restored the fundamental role of science and scientists in our society. Supported initiatives, including this one at Dalhousie University, will lead to breakthrough discoveries that improve people’s lives, fuel our innovation ecosystem and shape Canada’s prosperity for years to come. That’s the value of universities and our Canadian researchers, who think outside the box to solve the biggest challenges of our time. »
– The Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, the honorable François-Philippe Champagne
“The Government of Canada is proud to support post-secondary institutions and their researchers working on groundbreaking discoveries. The work of the Dalhousie University team aims to deepen our knowledge of the oceans and our understanding of their role as carbon pumps. The expected results of this initiative will enable Canada to make informed decisions about what needs to be done to ensure a cleaner, greener future for the country. »
– Andy Fillmore Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry
“As a graduate of Dalhousie University, I know firsthand how this post-secondary institution and its partners are driving innovation that strengthens Nova Scotia and Canada’s place in science on the planet. World Chessboard.” This initiative will have important implications in the fight against climate change and help us ensure the health and prosperity of our communities for generations to come. »
– The Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honorable Sean Fraser
“Canada’s post-secondary institutions are brimming with ideas and talent, working to create more prosperous, more sustainable, inclusive and healthier communities. With support from the federal government’s Pinnacle Fund, they are able to leverage this foundation to develop cutting-edge research programs that showcase Canadian talent and are at the forefront of the world, developing solutions to address the critical challenges facing our planet – environmental sustainability, state-of-the-art biotherapeutics, children’s health or the integration of immigrants. »
– Ted Hewitt Chair of the Steering Committee of the Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Chair of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee
“I would like to thank the federal government for this significant investment, the largest ever made in research at Dalhousie University. As a Canadian university at the forefront of marine research with a team of more than 100 researchers specializing in the field and the most recognized world-class research centers, we enthusiastically collaborate with Université Laval, UQAR and Memorial University to find solutions to the problem effects of climate change and drive this very important research project forward. »
– Acting President and Vice Chancellor of Dalhousie University, Frank Harvey
Fast Facts
- Established in 2014, the Pinnacle Fund supports Canadian post-secondary institutions to become global leaders in research. It helps Canadian universities, colleges and technical colleges compete with the best in the world for talent and partnerships. It also helps them make breakthrough discoveries, seize new opportunities, promote their best assets on the international stage, and execute forward-thinking and transformative business strategies.
- The nearly $1.4 billion investment will also support the following ten initiatives:
- McGill University: $165 million – From DNA to RNA: An integrative Canadian approach to genome-based RNA therapeutics
- Memorial University of Newfoundland: $91 million – Qanittaq Initiative for Clean Shipping in the Arctic
- University of Ottawa: $109 million – Heart-Brain Interconnectome
- University of Toronto: $199 million – Acceleration Consortium: Autonomous Laboratories for Molecular and Materials Discovery
- University of Victoria: $83 million – Accelerating the energy transition of communities
- University of Montreal: $124 million – IAR3: New Paradigms for a Robust, Reasoning and Accountable Artificial Intelligence and its Adoption
- York University: $105 million – Networked intelligences: neural and machine systems for a just and healthy society
- Concordia University: $123 million – Electrifying Society: Towards Low-Carbon and Resilient Communities
- University of Calgary: $125 million – One child, every child: A transformative research initiative in child health
- Metropolitan University of Toronto: $98 million – Bridging Gaps: Integrating Immigrants in the Mid-21st Century
- Through a highly competitive peer-review process, the Pinnacle Fund invests approximately $200 million annually to help Canadian post-secondary institutions transform their core strengths into world-class capabilities.
- The Pinnacle Fund is a tri-agency program administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat for the three federal research funding agencies: the Science Research Council of Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
- The initiatives funded by the Apogee Fund are selected following an independent, multidisciplinary and international peer review process.
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SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
For more information: Laurie Bouchard, Communications Director, Office of the Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations, Tri-Agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, [email protected]