Recent News
New program launches to help Alberta innovators commercialize digital health technologies
Alberta Innovates has launched a new program called Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE)-Concepts that provides funding to help early-stage entrepreneurs commercialize digital health technologies.
COVID-19 return-to-work solution emerges from ISED prototype testing program
The pandemic is creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses, including Smartcone Technologies, Inc., which specializes in industrial Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The company has developed a system to screen people for COVID-19 in real time that hinges on a simple smell test.
Grand Challenges Canada funds 10 Indigenous-led projects with focus on social challenges
Ten projects will be receiving grants of $250,000 each from the Indigenous Innovation Initiative through its Advancing Indigenous Gender Equality through Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship program. It is currently the only dedicated funder of Indigenous innovation in Canada.
Canada needs to invest in the energy infrastructure of the future, not the past
It is time for Canada to abandon a 100-year-old energy model built on inexpensive hydrocarbons and plan for an energy system that will be dominated by electricity, Michal C. Moore, research fellow at Cornell University and professor emeritus at the University of Calgary, says in an op-ed piece.
The Short Report - June 16, 2021: Major science bill passes US Senate, Canada's tri-agencies launch research data management policy, and more
A massive science bill in the US could double the National Science Foundation’s budget over the next five years; Canada’s federal funding agencies prioritize research data management with a new policy, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada launches a new $165.7-million clean tech program, and more.
Government 'can and should pick winners' to grow scale-up companies, says federal advisor
In a recent report for the Brookfield Institute for Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Sheldon Levy, special advisor to the federal minister of small business and export promotion, argued that government should identify and support select firms with high potential to become global competitors. “There are many countries that have to pick their laneway and can’t be the best at everything all the time,” Levy told Research Money.
UBC launches renewable-energy research hub to create ‘living lab’ on campus
A $23-million UBC renewable-energy research hub featuring a hydrogen refuelling station for cars, trucks and buses will generate clean-transportation developments across the globe, says the project’s lead researcher.
Future Skills Centre to invest $25.9M in promising skills training projects
The Future Skills Centre, an applied research centre that tests and evaluates innovative approaches to skills development, has announced a $25.9 million investment into 10 projects dedicated to providing skills development and employment opportunities to marginalized communities.
Q&A: Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, on growing the country’s ocean-based economy
To recognize the annual United Nations World Oceans Day (June 8) and its theme “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together,” Research Money spoke with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, about the opportunities and challenges in growing the country’s ocean economy and the Ocean Supercluster’s activities.
How Canada can upskill its workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic
The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has created the perfect conditions to consider new, innovative approaches to rapidly upskill and redeploy domestic talent, say AJ Tibando and Arvind Gupta, the executive director and the CEO of Palette Skills, respectively, in an opinion piece.
Q&A: John Ruffolo on his plan to fund the next phase of the Information Revolution in Canada
We spoke with Ruffolo about the thesis for his new private equity firm Maverix, why he’s seeing “ridiculous” deal flow, and what it takes to keep high-growth companies in Canada.
Parliament votes to create a new committee to spotlight science and research issues
Canada’s 44th Parliament will have a Standing Committee on Science and Research as a result of a motion spearheaded in the House of Commons by Deputy House Leader and former science minister Kirsty Duncan. It passed with unanimous support last Wednesday.
Health charities fear a slow pandemic recovery will undermine research programs
A year into the pandemic, Canada’s health charities are still struggling as a result of massive declines in donations. Fear is mounting that their ability to support research initiatives — a core part of their missions — will be jeopardized for years to come.
The Short Report - June 2, 2021: Cleantech R&D gets a boost, Biden's 2022 research budget, UBC studies rapid testing kits, and more
Ottawa invests more than $44 million to bolster cleantech R&D innovation, US President Joseph Biden asks for US $13.5 billion increase in federal R&D spending, the University of British Columbia’s COVID-19 rapid testing clinic to be a first in Canada, and more.
Federal investments in clean tech and sustainable practices in agriculture could drive down carbon emissions
The Canadian government is incentivizing clean technology and sustainability practices in agriculture, which industry experts say could help Canada meet its climate change objectives and make agriculture more efficient.
Q&A: the European Commission's Jean-Eric Paquet and CFI's Dr. Roseann O'Reilly Runte on research infrastructure after COVID-19
Research Money spoke to Jean-Eric Paquet, the director general of the European Commission’s Research and Innovation directorate, along with Roseann O’Reilly Runte, the president and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, on how COVID-19 will affect research infrastructure and how those lessons might apply to future crises.
The potential $100-billion Indigenous economy must be incorporated into Canada's future, author argues
Indigenous peoples and their potential $100-billion economy must be partners in Canada’s economic future, experts told the Empire Club of Canada webinar held on April 20.
Canada needs massive investment into the youth innovation space to support economic diversification
Canada needs “massive” investment in education, transformative learning and innovation programs for young people to support the country’s economic diversification, Cassy Weber, CEO of MindFuel, says in an opinion piece.
The Short Report - May 26, 2021: Canada's funding agencies launch interdisciplinary peer review program, Alberta launches medical studies website, and more
Canada’s three research funding agencies have launched the Tri-agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee; Alberta creates a platform to boost clinical trials; Ontario Tech University is designated a collaboration centre by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency, and more.
Latest Issue:
Number 5
Volume 35 May 19 2021
Editorial:
Sebastian Leck
Too often, the products of science and research done within Canada’s borders ends up being sold or commercialized elsewhere. But there’s been a strong effort in the last few months to attempt to reverse the decades-long trend, writes Research Money’s managing editor Sebastian Leck.
Largest-ever federal investments in intellectual property a “significant step” toward improving Canada’s global competitiveness, IP experts and innovation groups say
Federal Budget 2021 included the government’s largest-ever investments in intellectual property and IP services, underscoring the importance of protecting and leveraging IP for Canada’s economic growth, according to IP experts and heads of innovation groups.
MaRS innovation hub hits pause on plan to expand to Calgary
The Toronto-based MaRS Discovery District innovation hub has hit the “pause button” on expanding to Calgary after more than a year of discussions with the University of Calgary and other players in Calgary’s innovation ecosystem. However, MaRS says it will continue working with and supporting Alberta companies during the scale-up stage from its Toronto base.
CMC Microsystems pitches Ottawa on $120-million chip manufacturing plan amid global shortage
Two separate groups are hoping to safeguard Canada against future semiconductor chip shortages. CMC Microsystems has applied for $120 million to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for niche applications, while a new semiconductor council has started work on a National Semiconductor Strategy and Action Plan.
Budget 2021 initiatives expected to strengthen long-ignored areas of women's health research
Female researchers and health care providers are welcoming federal Budget 2021’s $72.6-million investment in women’s health research and medicine.
Canada needs major changes to improve care for the aging, including research and innovation focused on dementia
Canada urgently needs major changes to improve care for the aging, including more research, innovation and healthcare training focused on dementia, says Lisa Poole, a family care partner and co-chair of Dementia Advocacy Canada, in an opinion piece.
As federal budget doubles down on AI funding, industry leaders hope for greater push to commercialize
With a new federal budget doubling down on existing artificial intelligence programs and emphasizing intellectual property, some industry leaders hope the investments will help Canada maintain its early lead and create AI champions in the country.
Today’s energy infrastructure can provide tomorrow's clean energy
Western Canada’s oil and gas industry is ideally positioned with the knowledge, assets and personnel to develop clean geothermal energy as part of the global transition to low-carbon energy, writes David Yager, an entrepreneur who has been a founder, executive and director of three oilfield service companies.
Opinion Leader:
Perry Kinkaide
Canadians needs to embrace the entrepreneur to make Canada a leader in the digital economy
Canadians needs to “embrace the entrepreneur” and invest in the innovation ecosystem to make Canada a leader in the digital economy, says Perry Kinkaide, a former public servant, corporate executive and manager of Kinkaide Enterprises Inc., in an opinion piece.
As the federal government launches a quantum strategy, researchers say nurturing a long-term, cohesive ecosystem is key
The federal government is leaning on quantum technology to help restore and drive long-term economic growth. But realizing a national quantum strategy will require a sustained commitment, enhanced coordination, and a commitment to addressing the societal, ethical, legal and policy implications of the quantum revolution, Canada’s quantum leaders told Research Money.
The Short Report - May 19, 2021: Ottawa injects $200 million into domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, CAN Health Network project extended, nuclear leaders prepare CANDU reactors for decommissioning, and more
Resilience Biotechnologies receives significant funding to produce made-in-Canada vaccines, Ottawa extends the CAN Health Network project in Ontario by one year with a $3.25-million investment, Canada’s nuclear leaders collaborate on the decommissioning process, and more.
New $200-million venture fund launched to close gap in deep tech financing
BDC Capital is behind the launch of a $200-million Deep Tech Venture Fund that will invest in early stage companies in quantum information science, photonics, electronics, foundational artificial intelligence—all sectors that have been underfunded in Canada.
New funding approaches could address gender disparities, peer review bias: Council of Canadian Academies
Creative funding models and other innovative tools could help Canada’s research funding agencies address issues such as gender disparities, peer review bias and inequitable funding for researchers and institutions, says the chair of a new expert panel report by the Council of Canadian Academies. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada commissioned the report as part of NSERC’s planning process for its new long-term strategic plan.
Superclusters doing “good things” for Canada’s innovation ecosystem despite criticisms, says former federal deputy minister
The superclusters should be assessed by a broad innovation policy framework and with a longer time frame than their initial five-year mandate, says John Knubley, the former deputy minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada who was responsible for the creation of the superclusters initiative.
Canada’s research funding agencies must experiment to keep up with evolving science landscape: Council of Canadian Academies report
Changes impacting the natural sciences and engineering fields include a sense of “hyper-competition” for research funding that is particularly affecting young investigators, says Dr. Shirley M. Tilghman, the chair of a new Council of Canadian Academies expert panel that released a report this week.
The Short Report - May 5, 2021: Federal government invests in vaccine uptake, Carleton U embarks on aging project, $5 million for new ocean supercluster projects, and more
This week in The Short Report, the Canadian Association of Science Centres receives funding to address vaccine misinformation while U of T targets strategies to reduce fear of needles; the University of Alberta receives industry funding to bolster wheat-breeding capacity, the Rideau Hall Foundation recognizes excellence in innovation, and more.
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