Government of Canada invests in top research leaders of tomorrow
News release
Support for more than 200 doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers across Canada
May 16, 2019 – Kingston, ON – Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Funding science and research expands understanding, generates new ideas, and leads to new, well-paying jobs, economic benefits, and makes the country safer and healthier.
Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, announced 166 new Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and 70 new Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, for a total investment of close to $35 million.
Minister Duncan made the announcement at Queen’s University, where five award winners are creating new ways to advance microelectronics, explore human motion and include Indigenous knowledge in their research.
This latest round of recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships will benefit from Budget 2019 investments in paid parental leave. In particular, Budget 2019 invests $37.4 million to expand coverage from six to 12 months for students and postdoctoral fellows who receive granting agency funding.
Budget 2019 also invests $114 million to create 500 more annual master’s level awards and about 500 more three-year doctoral awards by 2021-22 through the Canada Graduate Scholarship Program.
The investment announced today supports Canada’s Science Vision and demonstrates the government’s historic commitment to science and to advance research and innovation in Canada for years to come.
Quotes
“The Vanier and Banting awards help Canada attract and retain some of the brightest doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows to build up our world-class research talent. Since taking office, our government has been working hard to return science and research to their rightful place and today’s investments are helping us do just that. “
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan
Minister of Science and Sport
“It is a great pleasure for me to congratulate the recipients of these prestigious awards. Thanks to their drive, these young researchers are helping to solve important challenges in health care and other sectors and powering Canada’s economy forward.”
– The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
“In many ways, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are the lifeblood of the research ecosystem. Support through initiatives such as Banting and Vanier allow Canada to retain and attract highly qualified persons to our institutions to actively contribute to scholarship and discovery in our country. My sincere congratulations to the recipients at Queen’s and across Canada.”
– Dr. Daniel Woolf
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University
Quick facts
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The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are funded through the three federal research granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). These ongoing programs are both administered through CIHR.
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The Government of Canada is also investing in youth science education and promotion. Budget 2019 provides $10 million to support the work of Let’s Talk Science.
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Contacts
Daniele Medlej
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science and Sport
343-291-4204
daniele.medlej@canada.ca
Media Relations
Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Follow Minister Duncan on social media.
Twitter: @CDNScience
Instagram: cdnscience
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