Investing in Canada's Future Through Research

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - June 3, 2013) - The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, today announced $4.2 million to support 50 projects in Manitoba. This is part of a national investment of $167 million by the Harper Government announced on Friday, May 31 by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), at the launch of the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, taking place this year at the University of Victoria.

The investments will provide funding to social sciences and humanities researchers at post-secondary institutions across Canada. Researchers will collaborate with those in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors on issues of importance to advance our understanding of people and society.

"These grants advance Canadian excellence in social sciences and humanities research by supporting the development of talent and promoting academic-industry partnerships," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Economic Action Plan 2013 provides additional support for advanced research at universities and other leading institutions, which will build on previous investments to further strengthen Canada's research advantage."

"Our government is committed to making our country a global centre of research excellence, innovation and higher learning," said Minister Toews. "We understand that investing in research strengthens the economy, creates high-quality jobs, enhances our competitiveness and improves the quality of life of Canadians."

Of the total federal funding of $167 million, $104 million will support more than 3,700 master's, doctoral and post-doctoral scholarships and fellowships through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada's (SSHRC) Talent program. Another $63 million is being awarded over a period of seven years to support 78 research teams across the country through SSHRC's Partnership Grants and Partnership Development Grants. The Harper Government's investment has leveraged an additional $43.4 million in matching support from sources involved in these projects, such as national and international researchers and industry, public and not-for-profit partners.

"Thanks to continued federal support, Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and training that help to create and sustain strong cultures of innovation," said Dr. Chad Gaffield, president of SSHRC. "Through SSHRC's funding opportunities for research partnerships and talent, we are enabling stronger working relationships among academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors while supporting the development of our next generation of leaders to build a better future for Canada and the world."

A full list of the grant recipients is available on the SSHRC website.

Backgrounder

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports post-secondary-based research and training in the humanities and social sciences. By focusing on developing talent, generating insights and forging connections across campuses and communities, SSHRC strategically supports world-leading initiatives that reflect a commitment to ensuring a better future for Canada and the world. Created by an act of Parliament in 1977, SSHRC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Industry.

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Talent Program

The goal of the Talent program is to support students and post-doctoral fellows in order to develop the next generation of researchers and leaders across society, both in academia and across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. The Talent program promotes the acquisition of research skills and assists in the training of highly qualified personnel in the social sciences and humanities. In this way, SSHRC fosters the development of talented and creative people who will become leaders across campuses and communities and thereby contribute to Canada's success in the globalized 21st century.

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Partnerships

SSHRC-funded partnerships enable Canadian social sciences and humanities researchers to achieve the highest levels of research excellence and to mobilize knowledge and expertise for the benefit of all Canadians.

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