| For immediate release -- |
2004-27 |
VANCOUVER (November 9, 2004) - The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Minister of Health, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced today an investment of more than $187 million to fund health research across the country. Minister Dosanjh made the announcement at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where leading health research is being supported by the Government of Canada.
"Strengthening public health care in Canada for the long term is our government's top priority, said Minister Dosanjh. "And fostering a capacity in Canada for leading edge health research is critical to achieving that objective. The projects announced today showcase the extraordinary breadth and quality of the research being done right across the country. The announcement is also timely in that it coincides with the release by The Scientist magazine of a survey of researchers on where they would like to work outside the United States which shows that five of the "Top Ten Places to Work In Academia" are Canadian universities -- the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, McMaster University and the University of British Columbia -- all of whom are home to research projects announced today."
The 442 research projects funded across Canada will be carried out over periods of one to five years and exemplify CIHR's comprehensive, problem-based approach to funding health research. Funded projects address the full spectrum of health research - from genetics to access to health services - and include such priority areas as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and emerging health threats. Examples of funded research projects include:
"Advancements in health research benefit all Canadians and provide a stimulus for innovation," said Dr. Bernstein, President of CIHR. "We are proud to support health research that is leading to improvements in the lives of Canadians and of people around the world."
Minister Dosanjh made today's announcement at UBC. Out of the 442 research projects announced, 44 will be conducted at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Victoria. The Minister highlighted three British Columbia researchers whose work exemplifies CIHR's comprehensive, problem-based approach to funding health research. They are:
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 9,000 researchers and research teams in every province of Canada.
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Attachments:
Grant Allocations - National
Grant Allocations - British Columbia
Research Backgrounders
Further Information:
Chantal Laflamme,
CIHR,
Communications,
(613) 290-1807
Adèle Blanchard,
Office of Minister Dossanjh,
(613) 957-0200
Hilary Thomson,
University of British Columbia,
(604) 822-2644
