Government of Canada Supports Research in Toronto and Across Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 27, 2011) - Over 350 scientists, engineers and students at the University of Toronto will receive support for research programs and advanced training, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. The announcement was made by the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport), on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), while speaking at the university.

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

Out of the $42 million provided to the University of Toronto, Dr. Milos Popovic is receiving $420,000 under the Discovery Grants and Discovery Accelerator Supplements programs to do research on spinal cord injuries. His goal is to develop a prosthetic device that would enable individuals with neurologic impairments to stand.

"These programs are key tools for unleashing the creative power of our most innovative students and researchers," said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. "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."

On June 17, 2011, Minister of State Goodyear announced over $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's Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships programs.

The Discovery Grants Program supports ongoing programs of research in every scientific and engineering discipline. Of the 2,003 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.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's scholarships and fellowships awards announced today—composed of 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 have been offered this year.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council 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.

For the lists of recipients and descriptions of projects, see the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council website (www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca).