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The Short Report – April 28, 2021: COVID-19 data portal goes live, Protein Industries Canada launches new phase of plant-based food plan, Carleton funding bolsters ecosystem conservation, and more

Genome Canada’s portal for tracking variants of concern across Canada is up and running; a Carleton biology team gets support for bolstering ecosystem conservation; Protein Industries Canada starts the second phase of plans to boost plant-based foods, feed and ingredients; a briefing from the Royal Society of Canada calls on federal leadership to stabilize the postsecondary sector; and more.

After billions in funding, Strategic Innovation Fund failed to improve Canada’s innovation performance, experts say

Nearly $3.4 billion in federal spending through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) during the last three years has failed to improve Canada’s “disastrous” innovation performance and productivity, say some innovation and policy experts. An analysis by Research Money of SIF data shows that Ontario, Quebec and foreign-based firms have received the lion’s share of SIF funding.

Strategic Innovation Fund producing “significant benefits” for Canadians, ISED says

Research Money asked Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to respond to four questions about criticisms of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) program. In response, ISED says SIF is producing “significant benefits” for Canadians, including new jobs created, co-op placements and investment in R&D and new technologies.

Vaccine independence requires a 21st-Century Connaught Labs, policy experts argue

The federal and Ontario governments recently announced a $470-million investment to expand Sanofi Pasteur Limited’s vaccine manufacturing capability. But for Canada to be truly self-sufficient in vaccine development and production, critics say other models must be considered—including a 21st-century version of Connaught Labs. 

The Short Report – April 21, 2021: SIF gets $7.2 billion in 2021 federal budget, BC budget invests in new strategic fund, Biden’s funding surge, a boost for the Stem Cell Network, and more

The 2021 federal budget gives a big boost to the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program, BC budget provides $500 million to new fund for tech startups, US President Joe Biden proposes funding surge for federal research agencies, Canada’s Stem Cell Network to receive $45 million dollars for regenerative medicine therapies, and more.