Harper Government's New Research Fund

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Harper Government's New Research Fund has put Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions to best in the world.

Minister of State (Science and Technology) Greg Rickford today initiated an Economic Action Plan 2014 with an aim of strengthening innovation, technology, and Science in Canada. The new Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) will offer a considerable investment, inspiring Canadian post-secondary institutions to excel on a global arena in research areas that gives economic longevity for Canada.

The Fund joins programs such as the Canada Research Chairs and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs which adds reputation globally to the country for research across multiple disciplines. It helps Canada's education institutions to grab emerging opportunities and to generate talent and breakthrough discoveries on the international stage for the benefit of Canadians.

CFREF will be available to all post-secondary institutions on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis.

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Economic Action Plan 2014 suggests to provide the Fund with $50 million in 2015–16, growing to $100 million in 2016–17 and $150 million in 2017–18, and reaching a sustained level of $200 million annually in 2018–19 and beyond.

CFREF will be administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The Honorable Greg Rickford commented that the government's historic support of innovation, technology, and science has established a tradition of research excellence in Canada. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the new Canada First Research Excellence Fund will help the nation’s post-secondary institutions become the best among the world while employing many. This way they are improving the lives of Canadians.

Dr. Chad Gaffield from Minister of State (Science and Technology) also has commented that The Canada First Research Excellence Fund provides an excellent opportunity for post-secondary institutions to compete on the world panorama for the very best ideas and talent across all research disciplines in order to contribute to Canada's future prosperity. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is very pleased to oversee the launch of the prestigious fund and development for Canada.

Amit Chakma, the President of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada opinioned that the dramatic investment in research excellence is the first step to ensure that the Canadian universities have the capability to attract and develop top domestic and international talent. This will enable us to energize regional and national economies and to make new discoveries that will benefit all Canadians.

This is a pivotal moment for research excellence and innovation in Canada. The establishment of an ambitious new research excellence fund, coupled with the commitment of enhanced funding in discovery research through the federal granting councils, represents a catalytic investment.

Chair, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, David Barnard told that the new Canada First Research Excellence Fund including polytechnics and colleges is a noteworthy news and leads to economic outcomes for Canada. The Fund reveals the fact that the government recognizes the complementary capacity in the entire spectrum of our public research facilities from basic to applied research."

Polytechnics Canada CEO Nobina Robinson replies education institutes are involved in International research projects in more than 20 nations across the globe.

It provides an excellent opportunity to build on the partnerships.