Academic partnerships are fundamental to Canadian research and innovation and help researchers extend their knowledge and findings beyond our borders. While an open and collaborative research enterprise can lead to groundbreaking and transformative discoveries, it can leave Canada’s research institutions vulnerable to knowledge theft, interference, or the unwanted transfer of data internationally. Strengthening the support systems that help to ensure Canadian science and research thrive is imperative.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced an investment of close to $50 million to 51 Canadian postsecondary institutions through the Research Support Fund (RSF) to enable them to manage increasing security threats. This announcement is part of a series of measures to safeguard Canada’s world-class research and to support the research community. These research security investments will help ensure that federally funded research projects continue to be carried out in world-class facilities with the best equipment and administrative support available. The funding will also enable postsecondary institutions to build their capacity to rapidly identify, asses, and mitigate the potential risks to research security. This will support activities such as enhanced cybersecurity, security training for researchers and staff, and hiring research security experts.
To further support institutions, this new dedicated funding, announced in Budget 2022, is made available through the Incremental Project Grants and extended to institutions that receive $2 million or more in eligible research funding. Its scope supports the broader implementation of the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships to better position researchers, research organizations and government research funding agencies to undertake consistent due diligence in the face of emerging security threats to Canadian research.
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