Ontario to award $100M for genomics research
Last Updated: Monday, May 4, 2009 | 9:27 AM ET
CBC News
The Ontario government has announced $100 million in new funding for genomics research, an effort to attract top researchers from around the world and keep them in the province.
Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson announced the new $100 million Global Leadership Round in Genomics and Life Sciences will support "globally significant, collaborative research projects" headquartered in Ontario.
Scientists who work in either genomics, gene-related research, or research into stem cells or proteins will be eligible to compete for the new funds.
The announcement comes after the federal government angered researchers failing to provide a new round of funding for Genome Canada, the not-for-profit agency responsible for funding large-scale science and genetics projects.
In April, Genome Canada announced it was pulling its support for an international stem cell consortium because of the lack of funds.
The federal budget also called for $147.9 million in cuts over three years to the three agencies that grant research funds to universities.
"At a time when economic challenges are tempting some governments to scale back on their innovation spending, Ontario is more committed than ever to its vision of global leadership through collaboration," said Wilkinson in a statement on Monday.
"New discoveries and breakthroughs will continue to be made — and we want those people, those ideas, and those jobs right here in Ontario," he said.
Paul Ganest, president of the Council of Ontario Universities, praised the announcement, saying the new funds would benefit all Ontarians
"The Ontario government truly understands the value of research and its contribution to the social and economic well-being of the province," Genest said in a statement.
Researchers will have until the end of August to apply for money through the competition.
Ontario is not the only province to attempt to attract top scientists through awards outside the traditional federal agencies. In 2007, Alberta established the Polaris Awards, three $20 million prizes to be handed out to top-level health researchers.
