January 12, 2022
Whether it’s proposing sustainable solutions to meet global food supply needs, mitigating the risk of future pandemics through advanced RNA research, or laying the groundwork for adjusting how our society governs artificial intelligence and the data that shape it, Canada’s researchers are up to the task. As part of its commitment to cultivating a rich and diverse research ecosystem, the Government of Canada is proud to support Canada Research Chairs based at postsecondary institutions across Canada.
Today, the Government of Canada announced a new investment of over $151 million to support 188 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 43 institutions across the country. The Canada Foundation for Innovation, a partner with the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP), will invest more than $9.5 million to support 43 chairholders at 19 institutions, through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
Canada Research Chairs are some of the world’s brightest scholars and scientists who contribute to new discoveries and help us make sense of the world we live in. This cycle of chairs will see more discoveries and critical research contributions in diverse research areas such as health economics, Black studies, photonic devices, substance use and health policy research, artificial intelligence law and data governance, and ocean history and sustainability, among many others.
The CRCP has put in place well-defined requirements to ensure that diversity is reflected among the successful Canada Research Chairs. Among the new and renewed chairs announced in this round, 2.7% identify as Indigenous Peoples, 5.9% are persons with disabilities, 29.8% are racialized minorities, and 53.2% are women. The CRCP, which is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, housed within the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, continues to work with Canadian institutions to ensure that the program’s representation of Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized minorities, and women among chairholders is reflective of Canada’s population by 2029.
Quotes
“The Canada Research Chairs announced this week comprise the full diversity of Canada, both in terms of their backgrounds and training, as well as the broad range of disciplines they represent. This, in turn, helps to drive the research excellence we have come to expect from these outstanding scholars, as well as their contributions to the well-being and prosperity of Canadians.”
“The Canada Foundation for Innovation is proud to support the Canada Research Chairs Program through its John R. Evans Leaders Fund. The funding enables universities to retain and attract top researchers to Canada and allows all Canadians to benefit from their important discoveries.”
Associated links
- Government of Canada backs over 5,500 trailblazing Canadian researchers
- Canada Research Chairs recipients list: Cycle 2020-2
- Canada Research Chairs recipients list: Cycle 2020-1
- CFI supports Canada Research Chairs with $9.5 million in infrastructure funding