Funding promotes research excellence

Funding promotes research excellence

December 4, 2014

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced $1.5 billion in new funding to promote excellence within the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) will position Canada鈥檚 post-secondary institutions to compete with the best research universities in the world for leading scholars and students, and will generate breakthrough discoveries.

鈥淭his commitment by the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada to support globally competitive research excellence with an investment of $1.5 billion over 10 years demonstrates that they recognize that Canada can compete with the best in the world,鈥 says Daniel Woolf, Vice-Chair of The U15 and Principal and Vice-chancellor, Queen鈥檚 University. 鈥淚t鈥檚 now up to us to make sure that we make the most of it. Together with CFREF and other established funds and programs that support research excellence, we will strengthen and advance our standing as a world leader in science, technology and innovation.鈥

In 2013, The U15 proposed that the government of Canada invest in the creation of a new fund to bolster Canada鈥檚 research strength and promote global research excellence.

鈥淪ince its announcement in Budget 2014, The U15 has been looking forward to the official launch of CFREF as a significant commitment by Canada to support globally competitive research excellence,鈥 says Feridun Hamdullahpur, chair of The U15 and president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. 鈥淭his Fund will allow successful institutions to better compete on the international stage in established areas of research strength as well as new and emerging areas that will support Canada鈥檚 scientific standing and long-term economic advantage.鈥