Research News
The Government of Canada, in line with its Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy , is investing more than $2.2 billion over seven years to continue growing a strong, competitive biomanufacturing and life sciences sector, and to ensure Canada is prepared for future pandemics. The Strategy includes these foundational investments to help build Canada’s talent pipeline and research systems, as well as foster the growth of Canadian life sciences firms:
- Canada Biomedical Research Fund
- This investment of $250 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, is to create a tri-agency program administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies: SSHRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
- This investment of $250 million over four years, starting in 2022-23, is to create a tri-agency program administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies: SSHRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
- Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund
- This investment of $500 million over four years, starting in 2021-22, is for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support the bioscience infrastructure needs of postsecondary institutions and research hospitals.
The overviews are available online . Queen’s is well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities, and we encourage you to stay engaged. In the future, an open, national call will be launched for proposed partnered research and infrastructure projects associated with the selected research hubs (co-led by the CFI and TIPS).
On November 23, the Government of Canada launched a new round of competitions for the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CFREF) programs. Queen’s has successfully received funding from both programs in previous competitions, which have been modified in several ways and will align with emerging federal priorities. These program launches were anticipated, and initial conversations have been had with the Faculties on expected requirements for the programs and the internal selection process.
- CERC full applications are due June 1, 2022
- CFREF full applications are due August 21, 2022
Both programs have additional deadlines (notices of intent, etc.) and internal Queen’s specific deadlines will be set and communicated to the research community in the coming days.
Universities are limited in submitting one application as a lead institution to the CFREF program and Queen’s has a $2M envelope to apply towards the CERC competition, allowing for 2-4 nominations based on the level of funding requested.
These are exciting and important competitions for the Canadian and Queen’s research communities.
Supporting and contributing to conversations of national and global significance is an important aspect of research and knowledge mobilization. The issues of climate change and net-zero future are among the most important and on November 24 the Vice-Principal Research portfolio hosted a 30-minute virtual session at the Canadian Science Policy Conference on these topics. Dr. Warren Mabee with guests Claire Harris (NB Power) and Daniel Brady (Natural Resources Canada) shared their views on the future of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) in Canada’s net-zero future.
Please visit the Vice-Principal Research website for updates on current CRC recruitments and progress towards meeting CRC equity targets. Several CRC external recruitments are commencing and will be posted to this site once active. The site also includes detailed information on previous recruitment processes and requirements of the CRC program.
Partnerships and Innovation
Queen’s became an academic partner and anchor , a state-of-the-art global technology centre in Kanata which celebrated its grand opening on October 28. This partnership contributes to a larger strategy for boosting Queen’s local, national, and global impact. Hub350 is enabling the Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation (QPI) team to enhance existing collaborations with the Kanata North Business Association, L-SPARK, Invest Ottawa, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University, and to build partnerships with companies located in Canada’s largest technology park.
In partnership with lululemon, Wysdom.AI, Queen's University, Microsoft and Mitacs, Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster launched Wellbeing.ai , a collaborative project focused on developing a new approach for personalized health and wellbeing. QPI worked with the Smith School of Business (SSB) and the partners to develop the scope of work, budget, and deliverables, and to negotiate and execute the associated consortium agreement. SSB is providing training to AI leaders of the future through access to industry and Mitacs funding which is supporting applied project opportunities and internships to students.
In October, RockMass a fledgling startup formed by Queen’s undergraduate students as part of the Foundry , was recognized by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) as a shining example of the potential of made-in-Ontario innovation and won OCI’s Mind to Market Award.