Investments will support close to 200 game-changing research projects and cement Canada’s position as a leader in science and innovation.
The Government of Canada has announced that it will be supporting interdisciplinary work that drives innovation by Canadians to impact wellbeing of society from a health perspective as well as a wellness perspective.
NFRF = New Frontiers in Research Fund
There are 3 key aspects of the investment:
- NFRF 2022 Transformation Competition
- This will fund interdisciplinary projects that are large-scale and focus on major challenges.
- Examples of topics include overcoming cardiovascular diseases; building an innovative open science platform for neuroscience drug discovery; developing non-invasive cancer therapy; improving patient care for the treatment of neurological disorders; creating a renewable energy seasonal storage solution; and ensuring artificial intelligence is inclusive of Indigenous knowledge systems.
- NFRF 2022 Special Call
- This call will support 61 research teams to conduct research on post pandemic recovery, as part of an international approach to impact Covid-19 pandemic-induced inequities.
- NFRF 2022 Exploration Competition
- A total of 128 research projects will be funded through this competition. Projects should demonstrate interdisciplinary work in novel ways to ensure there diverse perspectives driving innovation.
- Examples of topics include training artificial intelligence models to detect medical bias experienced by marginalized communities; developing a self-powered nanocomposite filter for point-of-use drinking water treatment in First Nations communities; and using aeromicrobiology as an innovative approach to greenhouse gas mitigation
“The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced more than $200 million in support for Canadian-led interdisciplinary, international, high-risk and high-reward research through the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). Through three different NFRF competitions, the government will support 195 projects.”
These investments are promising, as they demonstrate the crucial need that Canada has to generate and support new strategies and tactics for disciplines to work together, with the outcome of providing incredibly successful breakthroughs.