Minister of State Holder Highlights Support for 28 Science and Engineering Researchers and Students at the University of New Brunswick

FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 28, 2014) - Industry Canada

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today highlighted the funding that scientists, engineers and students at the University of New Brunswick received through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Nearly $2.4 million will go to benefit 28 researchers and trainees at the University of New Brunswick, including Dr. Richard B. Langley, who is receiving $170,000 to improve the positioning precision and accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and of the next generation of European, Japanese and other global navigation satellite systems.

He and his team will also use the funding to analyze data from their GPS instrument on the Canadian CASSIOPE research satellite, which is studying Earth's ionosphere. Those studies will help scientists better understand space weather and its effects on infrastructure here on the ground and in space.

Quick facts

- On June 26, 2014, Minister of State Holder announced a significant federal investment to support scientists, engineers, post-doctoral fellows and students at universities in Canada as they drive innovation, and ultimately economic prosperity, across the country. Of the total investment, $4.2 million will support researchers at universities in the province of New Brunswick.

- The awards highlighted today at the University of New Brunswick are part of the 2014 competition results for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships.

- The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is an integral component of the government's efforts to develop, attract and retain the world's most talented researchers at Canadian universities. The program funds discovery research in a multitude of scientific and engineering disciplines, which builds a broad base of research capacity across the country.

Quotes

"By supporting over 3,500 researchers and students in Canada, our government is strengthening Canada's leadership in discovery research around the world. In so doing, we are developing, attracting and retaining the world's most talented researchers who carry out the scientific research that creates jobs and prosperity and improves the quality of life of Canadians."

- The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is one of Canada's largest sources of funding for basic research. Our government's investment in the University of New Brunswick leads to new discoveries that will help drive innovation, job creation and prosperity right here in Fredericton."

- The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament for Fredericton

"Our support for researchers and students through Discovery Grants and scholarships is laying the foundation for Canada's future prosperity and continued quality of life. The highly competitive funding for discovery research raises the bar for science and engineering excellence in Canada and unleashes the creative potential of our researchers. Building on this dynamic research environment, NSERC's scholarships and fellowships are attracting and cultivating new talent with the skills necessary for the growth of our knowledge-based economy."

- Janet Walden, Chief Operating Officer, NSERC

"UNB was recently named Canada's most entrepreneurial university by Startup Canada. Programs such as NSERC Discovery Grants provide funding for the basic research that allows many of our research initiatives to develop into entrepreneurial opportunities for Canadians."

- Dr. David Burns, Vice-President Research, University of New Brunswick

Associated links

- University of New Brunswick

- Dr. Richard B. Langley

- Discovery Grants

- Scholarships and fellowships

- List of recipients

- World of Discoveries page on NSERC site

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