Research infrastructure funding to benefit universities and colleges from coast to coast
by CM Staff
More than $30 million will be invested into 136 research infrastructure projects at 31 universities through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
OTTAWA — The Canada Foundation for Innovation has announced funding of almost $45 million towards 150 projects in 43 educational institutions across the country.
The investment is intended to further the development of infrastructure necessary for research that can help Canadian businesses stay competitive internationally.
The statement from the Canadian government says that more than $30 million will be invested into 136 research infrastructure projects at 31 universities through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund. CFI anticipates that this will help institutions attract and retain proficient researchers.
CFI has also announced that more than $14 million will go to 14 projects at 12 colleges, cégeps and polytechnics through the CFI’s College-Industry Innovation Fund to help colleges provide industry-relevant research infrastructure.
Some of the projects supported through the two funding programs include those using ultrafast light to create alternative sources of energy, and the development of synthetic materials as alternatives to fossil fuels.
For example, using a newly funded ultrafast laser, Julianne Gibbs at the University of Alberta will characterize these materials on a molecular level to optimize their performance to produce solar power, and to convert sunlight into a fuel like methanol using CO2 or other green carbon sources.
Meanwhile, Stephen Dery at University of Northern British Columbia is creating the Monitoring Extreme Climate and Hydrometeorological Events observatory. It will be used to train the next generation of hydrometeorologists on state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to help address a warming climate.
Through CFI’s investment, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and its college centre for technology transfer will receive equipment for the characterization of the chemical properties of marine and food products. Marie-Gil Fortin is leading research at this facility.
Finally, the funding for research infrastructure will support the Battery Electric Vehicle Lab, Cambrian College and its Director, Applied Research & Innovation, Michael Commito, who are pushing for battery electric vehicles and equipment adoption in the mining industry.
