Published: Friday, Mar 30, 2012
Federal budget supports Canada’s capacity to harness new knowledge and research
In light of the current context—significant job loss and operational cuts—we are encouraged by the overall direction of the 2012 federal budget. Called the 2012 Economic Action Plan, it outlines a number of investments in areas of learning and research, which are detailed below. Most importantly, the government will continue to invest in the three granting agencies, with $7 million for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to support research and the development of talent and partnerships with industry. We will continue to monitor and consult broadly on the details of the budget to ensure timely and relevant information for all of our members.
Given the importance of these signals to the overall research enterprise in Canada in austere times, CFHSS has issued a press release.
- Graham Carr, President, CFHSS
Budget 2012 Highlights - Federal Granting Councils
Though the granting agencies will be subject to some cuts to their operating budgets, the Government will fully reinvest 2012–13 savings in priority areas of the granting councils, particularly in industry-academic partnerships. Specifically, the budget proposes $37 million annually starting in 2012–13 to the granting councils to enhance their support for industry-academic research partnership initiatives. This includes $7 million per year to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council for its industry-academic partnership initiatives.
Canada Foundation for Innovation
The budget proposes $500 million over five years, starting in 2014–15, to the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funding will support new competitions, including for the College-Industry Innovation Fund.
First Nations Education
The budget commits the Government to introduce legislation and explore new funding mechanisms for First Nations elementary and secondary education, and proposes $275 million over three years to support First Nations education.
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a private, non-profit organization linking Canadian researchers with the top minds from around the world. To enhance the organization’s activities and allow it to continue to link Canadian researchers to the world, the budget proposes $10 million over two years to CIFAR.
CANARIE
CANARIE is a not-for-profit organization that operates Canada’s only ultra-high speed national research and education network, providing vital infrastructure for world-leading research in Canada. The budget proposes $40 million over two years to CANARIE to support the operations of Canada’s ultra-high speed research network.
Industrial Research Assistance Program
The budget proposes an additional $110 million per year to the National Research Council to double the Industrial Research Assistance Program. This will allow the NRC to support additional small and medium-sized businesses that create high-value jobs, and to expand the services provided to businesses through the program’s Industrial Technology Advisors.
Industrial Research and Development Internship
To double the resources of the Industrial Research and Development Internship program, the budget proposes $14 million over two years. This new funding will be administered by Mitacs, an advanced research organization with a proven track record of helping businesses solve problems through access to graduate students.