Ontario announces research awards

A provincial commitment of $42 million to celebrate Ontario's research excellence has resulted in major announcements from three new awards programs. The funding was provided in the 2006 Budget to acknowledge excellence in innovation, personal achievement and overall career achievement. The latter (Summit Awards) are administered by MaRS Discovery District, which hosted the April 24th event.

"Ontario is home to world class research and researchers and they receive offers every day to leave the province so we need to celebrate them," says MPP John Wilkinson, parliamentary assistant to the minister of research and innovation.

The Catalyst Awards are worth $250,000 each while the Discovery Awards provide between $250,000 and $500,000. The Summit Awards are worth up to $5 million, with funding split between the province and the relevant institution.