In a groundbreaking move to propel Canadian research and innovation, the Canadian government has allocated an impressive $42.5 million in funding to McGill University. The announcement was made by the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, representing the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, and the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health.
This substantial investment comes through various government programs, underscoring a commitment to advancing research across different disciplines. The suite of funding programs includes the John R. Evans Leaders’ Fund (JELF), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)-administered Canada Research Chair (CRC) Program, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)’s Discovery Research Programs. The allocation also encompasses the Partnership Development and Partnership Engage Grants, along with Insight Grants competitions.
McGill University emerges as a significant beneficiary with a total of $42.5 million allocated to various research initiatives. This includes the appointment of fifty new and renewed Canada Research Chairs across 45 Canadian research institutions, with ten chairs designated for McGill. The university now boasts a total of 179 active chairholders, comprising both Tier 1 and Tier 2 designations.
In addition to the Canada Research Chairs, McGill secured two Partnership Engage Grants and one Partnership Development Grant. Thirty innovative research projects at McGill received funding through the John R. Evans Leaders’ Fund (JELF), facilitating the acquisition of state-of-the-art tools and infrastructure. Furthermore, a substantial number of 147 McGill research projects secured funding through NSERC’s Discovery Research Programs.
Expressing gratitude for this substantial investment, Martha Crago, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation at McGill, emphasized the significant impact on the university’s research endeavors. She stated, “McGill is grateful for the Government of Canada’s significant investment in research through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canada Research Chairs Program, the John R. Evans Leaders Fund, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.” Crago highlighted the crucial role of this support in enabling scholars to pursue research that benefits the environment, the economy, and communities both in Canada and globally.
The diverse portfolio of funding programs underscores the government’s commitment to fostering research excellence, innovation, and the advancement of knowledge across various fields.
