Government of Canada Invests in University Research at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 15, 2011) - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today celebrated investments to support leading-edge research and training programs at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS). This funding will support the INRS's research on the remediation of contaminated soils, the protection of freshwater ecosystems, the development of wireless networks, and 3D imaging technology, among other projects.

"Our government is investing in the people and ideas that will produce tomorrow's breakthroughs to keep Canada's economy growing and create new jobs," said Minister of State Bernier. "This research will improve the quality of life of Canadians, while helping universities develop, attract and retain leading scientists and engineers."

On June 17, 2011, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced more than $411 million in grants and scholarships over terms ranging from one to five years. These awards comprise the 2011 competition results for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC) Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships programs.

"These programs are key tools for unleashing the creative power of our most innovative students and researchers," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "The Discovery Grants Program has an outstanding international reputation because it has a very broad scope and offers researchers a lot of flexibility. Our scholarships and fellowships programs play a key role in attracting and retaining the best brains in Canada."

"Our university is very grateful to the Government of Canada for this significant financial support which sustains our professors in their innovative research programs and contributes to the training of highly qualified young scientists. INRS is proud to be one of Canada's top universities in terms of research intensity (funding per faculty member). Thanks to its excellence in research and programs like these, INRS can contribute to the development of solutions to problems facing our society, and attract the best graduate students and postdoctoral fellows", concluded Mr. Daniel Coderre, Director General of INRS.

NSERC's Discovery Grants Program supports ongoing programs of research in every scientific and engineering discipline. Of the 2,003 grant recipients, 123 have been identified to receive a Discovery Accelerator Supplement in addition to their Discovery Grant. Valued at $120,000 over three years, the awards are given to top-ranked researchers judged by their peers to show strong potential for becoming international leaders.

NSERC's scholarships and fellowships, such as the Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships, offer support at the master's, doctoral and post-doctoral levels. A total of 1,836 new awards were offered this year.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows in their advanced studies. It promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

The lists of grant and scholarship recipients and descriptions of their projects are available on the NSERC website (www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp).