Recognition of the important role of Canadian university research in Canada’s prosperity was welcome news in the federal government’s Budget 2018. New investments in granting councils and the Canada Foundation for Innovation will strengthen the ability for university researchers to advance their work and support a new generation of research success.

“These are critical investments and good news for universities,” said McMaster president Patrick Deane. “McMaster is Canada’s most research-intensive university. Whether it’s aging, developing Canada’s nuclear research capacity, fighting infectious disease or developing the future for advanced manufacturing, our ability to create a brighter world will be strengthened by these new and ongoing investments.”

Read: Significant Investments in Budget 2018 will Revitalize Canadian Scientific Research

The details of the federal government’s research priorities and funding can be found here: https://www.fin.gc.ca/n18/docs/18-008_2-eng.pdf

Rob Baker is McMaster’s vice-president, Research. “As a researcher you want to know that you are able to make a difference and that the opportunities to grow your career, inspire others and develop new knowledge are valued. Budget 2018 delivers that message and supports the dreams of students and new researchers to commit their careers to developing and testing new ideas.”

The Budget is particularly focussed on ensuring that research advances and opportunities support equity and diversity for academics with the granting councils charged with developing new programs to achieve greater diversity among research funding recipients, including support for women, underrepresented groups and early-career researchers.

Today's #YourBudget2018 shows strong support for equity in #science and for Canadian scientists – like Canada Research Chair Dawn Bowdish, who's working to keep grandparents and grandchildren together for as long as possible: https://t.co/aFFi0yzQy9 @KirstyDuncanMP pic.twitter.com/htC0LLKxU9

— McMaster University (@McMasterU) February 27, 2018

Today's #YourBudget2018 strongly supports Canadian research, allowing people like Jennifer Heisz do what they do best: build a #BrighterWorld https://t.co/cDgADhtzEq @KirstyDuncanMP pic.twitter.com/eocyxGsIRx

— McMaster University (@McMasterU) February 27, 2018

Why is equity in #science important?

Because without it, our researchers couldn't do things like this: https://t.co/uejeJo4r4m#YourBudget2018 pic.twitter.com/BjZvUtwkNZ

— McMaster University (@McMasterU) February 27, 2018

Thanks to the Government of Canada for supporting #WomenInScience, like Emily Cranston: https://t.co/cya3lgoLUp @KirstyDuncanMP #YourBudget2018 pic.twitter.com/Re3pu53VXS

— McMaster University (@McMasterU) February 28, 2018