Government of Canada Announces $325 Million in Research Funding
for Canadian Professors in Science and Engineering 
Ottawa, Ontario, June 2, 2003 – Dr. Rey Pagtakhan,
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science, Research
and Development), on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry
and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada (NSERC), announced today 2,752 new grants worth
$325 million over five years to university professors in 67 Canadian
postsecondary organizations.
“NSERC discovery grants are awarded to both new and established
researchers,” said Minister Pagtakhan. “The NSERC awards
allow university professors to develop the next generation of scientists
and engineers who will be essential to Canada’s success in the
knowledge-based global economy.”
“We want Canada to be one of the top five countries in the world
for research and development,” said Minister Rock. “NSERC-funded
researchers are the bright minds who are making the discoveries that
drive tomorrow's innovations.”
Each year thousands of professors from universities across Canada apply
to NSERC for discovery and related grants. These funds provide the primary
support for research in dozens of fields such as chemistry, life and
material sciences, mathematics, and civil engineering. The complete
list of new awards can be viewed at http://www.nserc.gc.ca/programs/result/2003/rg/index_e.htm.
The professors dedicate a large portion of their grant funds to training
Canadian undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.
In Budget 2003, the Minister of Finance allocated a further $55 million
to NSERC’s existing annual budget, thereby raising it to $771 million.
In addition, a new program of 4,000 Canada Graduate Scholarships
was announced.
“Canadian universities are appointing hundreds of new professors
to replace those who are retiring. It is also very good for Canada that
these new people are not only eager but also well qualified to do research,”
said NSERC President Tom Brzustowski. “NSERC Discovery Grants
are very important because they help them to meet the costs of their
research programs.”
NSERC also supports research projects with industry partners that put
new knowledge to productive use in the economy. The results of those
competitions are announced throughout the year.
NSERC is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation.
The Council supports both basic university research through research
grants, and project research through partnerships among universities,
governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training
of highly qualified people.
For more information, please contact:
Arnet Sheppard
Communications
NSERC
Tel.: (613) 995-5997
Cell: (613) 795-3496
Fax: (613) 943-0742
E-mail: axs@nserc.ca
Daphne Guerrero
Office of Dr. Rey Pagtakhan
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science, Research
and Development)
Tel.: (613) 995-1333
Complete list of discovery and related grants at:
http://www.nserc.gc.ca/programs/result/2003/rg/index_e.htm
Some New NSERC Awards in...
(researcher profiles)
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