Government of Canada Invests in Canada's Research Advantage

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 16, 2013) - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced today the recipients of more than 760 grants to power new research initiatives-representing an investment by the Government of Canada of nearly $107 million in work being done at postsecondary institutions right across Canada.

"Our Government knows that investing in research creates jobs, strengthens Canada's knowledge economy, enhances our competitiveness, and improves the quality of life of Canadians," said Minister of State Rickford. "This is why Economic Action Plan 2013 is providing additional resources to support advanced research at universities and other leading research institutions. These resources will build on our Government's previous investments to strengthen Canada's research advantage and to better inform Canadians for their future."

The funding is being delivered through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The federal funding will be invested in Insight Grants to support 461 initiatives carried out by individuals and small teams of researchers throughout Canada, and in SSHRC's Insight Development Grants to support 306 scholars in the early stages of their research .

"This investment in social sciences and humanities research is a cornerstone to building Canada's capacity for innovation," said Chad Gaffield, President of SSHRC. "Through the Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants, we are supporting the highest levels of research excellence. This research will generate knowledge about the past and present that will lead to innovative solutions for today's most pressing social, cultural, technological, environmental and economic issues, and improve the lives of Canadians."

Today's event at Western University highlighted the "Consumer Credit, Bankruptcy and Consumption over the Business Cycle" research initiative led by James MacGee, an associate professor in Western's department of economics. This project focuses on the effects of consumer debt on the Canadian economy. It will study the relationship between household consumption and consumer interest rates, household debt, and bankruptcies, providing policy-makers with tools to evaluate future risk, and helping both lenders and consumers make informed decisions about money, therefore better equipping Canadians with the resources to make more informed decisions about their future, so to secure their long-term prosperity.

The 767 research initiatives will examine a diversity of topics, including:

• the commercialization of nanotechnology in Canada (Catherine Beaudry, École Polytechnique de Montréal);
  
  
• metropolitan traffic congestion in Canada (Megan Brickley, McMaster University);
  
  
• workplace aggression (M. Sandy Hershcovis, University of Manitoba);
  
  
• privacy in online social networks (Izak Benbasat, The University of British Columbia); and
  
  
• educational success of First Nations, Métis and Inuit high school students (Jane Preston, University of Prince Edward Island).
  
  

The 461 initiatives supported by these Insight Grants represent more than $88 million of the total investment. The 306 scholars supported by the Insight Development Grants will receive more than $18 million altogether. The complete lists of recipients are available on the SSHRC website.

Backgrounder

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is the federal agency that promotes and supports postsecondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. Through its programs, SSHRC works to develop talented leaders for all sectors of society, helps generate insights about people, ideas and behaviour and builds connections within and beyond academia that will build a better future for Canada and the world and help build understanding and knowledge to better equip Canadians make informed decisions about their future and long-term prosperity. For more information, visit www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.

Insight Program

The Insight program aims to support and foster excellence in social sciences and humanities research intended to deepen, widen and increase our collective understanding of individuals and societies, as well as to inform the search for solutions to societal challenges. For more information, visit www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/umbrella_programs-programme_cadre/insight-savoir-eng.aspx