Without the hard work of Canada’s researchers, we would not have the discoveries and innovations that are powering a brighter future for all people. Their commitment to science and scholarship drives advances in new technology fields, novel medical treatments, clean energy, economics and so much more.

“I want to offer my profound thanks to the university faculty, teachers, librarians and administrators whose hard work is leading to advances in all research disciplines. Their efforts not only provide us with the evidence we need to make decisions that affect the lives of all Canadians but also give us new knowledge to draw on to build a better, brighter future for all people.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

• Budget 2018 proposed investments of nearly $4 billion over five years in the next generation of research and researchers. This investment includes new funding for fundamental research, research infrastructure, science institutes, and federal science and laboratories. For example:

  • $1.2 billion over five years through the granting councils (the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research) for investigator-led research. This funding will go a long way in supporting the work of some 21,000 researchers, students and high-quality personnel every year, including $275 million in new funding targeted specifically at research that promotes international, interdisciplinary and high-risk/high-reward research.

  • $210 million over five years for the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program, which will go toward supporting early-career researchers and increasing diversity among nominated researchers, including increasing the number of women who hold these prestigious positions.

  • $763 million over five years through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for research infrastructure at Canada’s higher-education and research institutions. The CFI, a not-for-profit agency, puts cutting-edge tools in the hands of our scientists, scholars and students and ensures they have state-of-the-art labs and facilities to make their greatest discoveries.

  • $140 million over five years for colleges and polytechnics that not only equip students with the hands-on skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow but also actively collaborate with small and medium-sized businesses to help solve their challenges.

  In addition to the historic $4-billion investment in science, $2.8 billion will go toward renewing federal laboratories to ensure government scientists have the infrastructure they need to inform evidence-based decisions.

Ann Marie Paquet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
613-404-2733
ann-marie.paquet@canada.ca 

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca