Canada's Research University of the Year has just been awarded another $17 million in research grants. The new funds for McMaster University come from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and will support the work of more than 100 McMaster investigators. Projects range from environmental to health to materials and manufacturing related research.

“Our success in this NSERC competition is outstanding and confirms that McMaster is home to some of the brightest researchers in the country,” says Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president of research and international affairs.

In total, 100 McMaster researchers will receive more than $14 million in discovery grants to support their research in natural sciences and engineering. In addition, 73 young university researchers – at the graduate and postdoctoral level – will receive $3 million to pursue their studies in these fields. Another 110 McMaster students will receive Undergraduate Student Research Awards, totaling $495,000.

Joe Volpe, minister of citizenship and immigration, made the announcement today at the University of Toronto. Across Canada, he said, professors and students are receiving new grants and scholarships worth $510 million. The funding was awarded following national, peer-reviewed competitions conducted by NSERC.

“The NSERC awards help move Canada to the forefront of international research, and allow our professors to develop the next generation of scientists and engineers who will be essential to our success in the global knowledge-based economy,” said Volpe.

Each year thousands of professors from universities across Canada apply to NSERC for discovery and related grants. These funds provide the primary support for research in dozens of fields, such as chemistry, life and material sciences, mathematics and civil engineering. The professors dedicate a large portion of their grant funds to training Canadian undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.

Across Canada, 3,040 professors will receive $380 million in discovery grants to support their research in natural sciences and engineering. In addition, 2,675 young university researchers – 2,398 at the graduate level and 277 at the postdoctoral level – will be receiving $111 million to pursue their studies in these fields. As well, 4,253 students will receive Undergraduate Student Research Awards, worth a total of $19.1 million.