$51M funding awarded to research projects in Ontario

Toronto, ON – Ontario’s provincial government is awarding a total of $51 million to support researchers across the province, laying the foundation for Ontario’s future knowledge-based economy.

The funding will support 161 state-of-the-art and industry-relevant infrastructure initiatives at 25 institutions by providing $34.7 million through the Ontario Research Fund – Research Infrastructure program. In addition, it will help to support the work of 79 recently appointed researchers at 22 institutions while creating jobs for graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, associates and technicians by investing $11 million through the Early Researcher Awards.

As well, $3.4 million is being provided to five research projects at three institutions through the Ontario Research Fund – Genomic Applications Partnership Program, and $1.8 million is being awarded to five genomics research projects related to the agri-food, fisheries, and aquaculture industries at five institutions through the Ontario Research Fund – Large Scale Applied Research Project.

At the announcement, specific information about projects was not made available, but the government says it will provide details in the coming weeks.

“Ontario’s capacity to compete globally depends on harnessing our research, innovation and entrepreneurial strengths. Our government is proud to support the work of people who are at the forefront of scientific discovery leading to new treatments, cures and technologies,” said Reza Moridi, minister of research, innovation and science. “Their efforts will bring promising new technologies to market, growing our innovation economy to help Ontario compete and win in the global economy.”