$18.6M in infrastructure support for university researchers

Winnipeg, ON – The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has announced infrastructure funding totalling $18.6 million to support 87 projects in 31 universities across the country.

Dr Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI, was joined by Reg Alcock, president of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of David L Emerson, minister of industry, to announce the funding. The announcement marks the sunset of the CFI’s New Opportunities Fund (NOF) which has helped to recruit over 3,000 researchers to Canada since its inception in 1998.

“The investments made by the CFI since its creation have had a transformative impact on the research landscape in Canada,” said Mr Alcock. “Our government is proud of these investments, which will not only make the economy more innovative and competitive, but will improve the quality of life of all Canadians.”

“The New Opportunities Fund has helped to put Canada on the map when it comes to attracting the very best researchers from around the world,” said Dr Phillipson. “Providing them with state-of-the-art infrastructure helps ensure we stay at the cutting-edge of the global knowledge-based economy.”

The CFI Board of Directors approved a total investment of $18.6 million through two funds: $14.3 million under the NOF, and $4.3 million under the Infrastructure Operating Fund which assists universities with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with new infrastructure projects.

The fund is being replaced by the new Leaders Opportunity Fund (LOF). With a budget of over $300 million to be disbursed between 2006 and 2010, this new program will continue to assist Canadian universities in attracting world-class faculty and retaining the best researchers within Canada.

A list of the projects approved by the CFI to date and a list of the approved funding for this announcement are available at www.innovation.ca.