Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, announced funding for high calibre scholars at the master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels, as well as investments in a wide range of research projects in areas such as computer science, environmental sciences, life sciences and engineering.
“Our government’s investments in science and technology research are designed to create jobs, stimulate the economy and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” said Clement. “We are proud to support a broad range of research activities that serves both the short-term need for innovation and the long-term need to build and maintain a pool of knowledge.”
Nearly 5,000 Canadian students and researchers based at universities across the country will share $472 million in grants and scholarships, distributed through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Some 2,815 scholarships at the master’s, doctoral and postdoctoral levels will be awarded through various NSERC scholarship programs.
Grants will allow researchers the opportunity to pursue promising ideas and innovations that will improve our understanding of the world and our quality of life, including creating earthquake-resistant structures, testing the security of Web applications and exploring ways to improve wireless communications technologies.
“The Discovery Grants Program has a well-deserved international reputation for supporting excellence in research, and our scholarships programs help produce the next generation of research leaders,” said NSERC president Suzanne Fortier. “These programs give scientists and engineers a flexible way to pursue long-term projects in promising new avenues of science and engineering. They are key tools for unleashing the creative power of our most innovative students and researchers.”
NSERC is a federal agency whose vision is to help make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators to the benefit of all Canadians. The agency supports some 28,000 students and post-doctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 11,800 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.