Government of Canada Announces First Recipients of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 15, 2011) - The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) today announced the inaugural 70 recipients of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. This announcement is in line with the Government of Canada's commitment to making our country a global centre of excellence in research, innovation and higher learning. These awards are given to top post-doctoral researchers from across the country and around the globe whose work contributes to Canada's economic and social growth.

Speaking at the Ontario Cancer Institute, Minister of State Goodyear highlighted the importance of the fellowship program in supporting the Government of Canada's science and technology strategy.

"Research powers Canada's economy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Our government's investment in research excellence and leadership through the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships is helping to develop, attract and retain the world's top researchers, who will make substantial contributions to Canada's long-term prosperity and quality of life."

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships ensure that Canadian post-doctoral researchers can succeed at home and abroad. Announced by Prime Minister Harper in July 2010, the five-year, $45-million program will award 70 new fellowships each year, each valued at $70,000 annually for two years. The program builds on the success of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program, the Canada Research Chairs program and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program.

The funding is delivered through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The fellowships are named in memory of Sir Frederick Banting, the Canadian physician, researcher, Nobel laureate and war hero who, together with his assistant Dr. Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of insulin.

"This program is allowing Canadian research institutions to attract elite researchers from across the country and around the world," said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies. "The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships help make Canada a destination of choice for the world's top post-doctoral researchers."

Highly qualified post-doctoral fellows are in increasing demand at Canadian universities. The internationally competitive level of funding offered through the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships will help ensure that Canadian institutions can attract the best talent from abroad. Canadian recipients will be eligible to travel to a foreign research institution for their post-doctoral placements, helping them establish global networks early in their career and raise awareness of Canadian research excellence.

Please visit the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships website (http://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca/about-a_propos/fellows-boursiers-eng.html) for more information on the inaugural Fellowship winners.