Government of Canada announces new competition for 11 Canada Excellence Research Chairs

News Release

New competition will promote more women and underrepresented groups in the CERC program

October 12, 2016—Calgary, Alberta—Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat

The Government of Canada values the role scientists play in building a  clean, innovative economy and supporting a strong middle class. The government  also believes that equity and excellence in the sciences are not mutually  exclusive. When all people, regardless of gender, race, age and ability are  welcomed into the lab they can work together to create breakthroughs that will  help Canada seize new opportunities and respond to grand, global challenges.

To further this inclusive approach to science, the  Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced the launch of a new  competition for 11 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERCs) today at the  University of Calgary.

Established in 2008, the CERC program awards  universities up to $10 million over seven years to support world‑class researchers so  they can establish dynamic research programs. However, only one of the 27 CERCs  is a woman. To address this imbalance, the Minister announced the new  competition will require institutions to include detailed equity plans and  recruitment strategies that promote the participation of women and other  underrepresented groups in the CERC program.    

In addition to equity requirements, new chairs will also be awarded in  priority areas; at least two chairs will be in fields related to clean and  sustainable technologies, at least one chair will be designated for business  sector innovation, and up to three chairs will be marked for open areas of inquiry  that will benefit  Canadians.

Among those that currently hold a chair are  researchers such as Michael Houghton (University of Alberta), who identified and  cloned the hepatitis C virus; David Cory (University of Waterloo), who is  engineering the tools needed to navigate, control and exploit the quantum world;  and Luda Diatchenko (McGill University), an internationally renowned specialist  in personalized relief for pain.
      For more details of the new CERC competition, deadlines  for applications and a full list of priority areas, please visit www.cerc.gc.ca.

Quotes

“I applaud the incredible research efforts of the  distinguished scientists who currently hold CERC positions at some of Canada’s  most renowned universities. With the support of their outstanding teams, the Canada  Excellence Research Chairs have made remarkable advances that have yielded  tangible results in areas ranging from climate change to medical research. I  look forward to welcoming the next 11 research chairs and encourage  institutions to consider the ways they can help increase equity and diversity  within this prestigious program. Science, after all, is everybody’s business.”

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

“Canada Excellence Research Chairs are some of  the best researchers in the world. Not only does their presence on Canada’s  campuses significantly strengthen our country’s research capacity, their  leadership, insight and mentorship helps train the next generation of Canadian  researchers. This new competition will help ensure that this tradition of  excellence continues well into the next decade.”

Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Chair, Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program Steering Committee

“The  CERC program is one of Canada’s great success stories. These inspirational  research leaders have put Canada on the map and given our universities access  to networks of elite researchers around the world. We can also strengthen these  connections by fostering greater diversity in our research communities so they  better reflect our country and our world.”

B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

“The CERC program has led to transformative  advances in health research and has tremendous impact in all areas of science  by allowing Canadian academic institutions to attract and retain the very best  scientific minds. By building Canada’s capacity for world-class research, we are  continuing to advance the scientific agenda in ways that benefit all Canadians.”

Alain Beaudet, President, Canadian Institutes of  Health Research

“The Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program attracts  the best researchers from around the world. The chairs energize Canadian  universities with their ambitious fields of inquiry. In addition, they have a  structuring quality, as well as a positive impact in our communities. Clearly,  the chairs have begun to consolidate Canada’s scientific reputation and innovation  leadership by complementing and reinforcing Canada’s research framework.”

Guy Breton, Recteur, Université de Montréal, and Chair, U15

“The CERC program has made it possible for our  university to move quickly to strengthen our dynamic research programs that are  fuelling Canada’s energy leadership. Since arriving in Canada in 2014, our  Canada Excellence Research Chair, Dr. Steven Bryant, has begun applying his  innovative research to the problem of lowering the resource intensity of  Canada’s unconventional oil and gas reserves while attracting students,  partners and collaborators from around the world.”

Elizabeth Cannon, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary

Facts

  • There are  currently 27 chairholders at 17 universities throughout Canada.

Additional Links

Backgrounder on the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program

More about the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program

Frequently Asked  Questions

Application and  Nomination Process

Contacts

Véronique Perron  
Press Secretary  
Office of the Minister of Science 
Tel.: 343-291-2600

Michael Adams
Communications Advisor
Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program
Tel.: 613-944-1758 Cell: 613-219-7523


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