Organization: Canada Foundation for Innovation

Quantum computing, brain research top list for new US-Canada collaborations

President Donald Trump’s push for major cuts to research funding in the US are fueling even closer scientific ties between our two countries. Preliminary talks have begun between the US National Science Foundation and research funders in Canada to kickstart new research collaborations in quantum computing, the brain, biodiversity and the Arctic. Recent meetings held in both Ottawa and Washington are expected, as a first step, to result in a Dear Colleague letter from the NSF encouraging its researchers to identify opportunities for joint projects the rapidly evolving field of brain research.

Daring to innovate: Quebec launches five-year strategy for research and innovation

Quebec has come a long way in strengthening its knowledge capacity since the early days of the Quiet Revolution. The notion of investing in S&T for its economic, social and cultural development has always been central to its policy platforms irrespective of political party. The May 11 release of the 126-page Quebec Research and Innovation Strategy (SQRI) by Quebec premier Philippe Couillard signals a major shift by the province to aim much higher and up the province’s innovation game.

Basic science needs better oversight and coordination, and more money: Expert panel

R$ talks to David Naylor

A federally commissioned blue-chip panel calling for greater coherence and financial support for fundamental research has made a series of 35 recommendations, including a $1.3-billion increase in the budgets of the three granting councils, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and related entities over the next four years.

CFI selects Carleton Univ president Roseann O’Reilly Runte as its new president and CEO

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) has once again selected a prominent academic as its new president and CEO. Dr Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor of Carleton Univ since 2008, will take up the reins of the CFI July 31st replacing outgoing president and CEO, Dr Gilles Patry. Runte was born and educated in…

Feds and province fund UNB cybersecurity institute

Federal and provincial funding agencies have banded together to support the creation of the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC) at the Univ of New Brunswick. The multidisciplinary institute also signed its first corporate partner with IBM coming on board with resources and in-kind contributions. CIC’s founding director is Dr Ali Ghorbani, Canada Research Chair in…

Colleges get $6.3M boost from CFI

The Canada Foundation for Innovation‘s College-Industry Innovation Fund has awarded $6.3 million to projects at eight colleges across Canada. The recipients are: Cégep de Trois-Rivières (microstructural, mechanical and electrochemical characterization – $167,842); Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (food innovation and technology – $540,000); George Brown College (food and government SME product innovation…