Pictured: The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould (third from left), Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament, visits Dr. Cheryl Wellington’s lab on a tour of DMCBH on October 13, 2017. Image credit: Paul Joseph.
Budget 2018 dropped yesterday, and Canadian scientists are enthusiastic … and relieved. The new budget offers nearly $4 billion in funding for Canadian research over the next five years, which includes $354 million each for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), plus $763 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
“This new budget gives hope, shows leadership, supports scientists, and invests in research,” said Dr. Brian MacVicar, who has been an advocate for improved funding for basic science.
Great to hear about the investment in Canadian researchers. These women and men provide future hope and will be so important to Canada’s success in the next generation! https://t.co/1dZNlI2b4y
— Brian macvicar (@brian_macvicar) February 27, 2018
While the budget does not address the full value of funding needs outlined by the Naylor report – more than $1 billion per year for the tri-councils (CIHR, NSERC, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) – it is a promising first step and reflects the diligent efforts of researchers across the country to secure better support for basic science.
.@JonathanWNV I am thrilled to see strong support for #cdnsci in #Budget2018. These investments matter – thanks for your efforts to ensure fundamental research was included in this budget.
— Dr. Liisa Galea (@LiisaGalea) February 28, 2018
A 2016 survey of Canadian lead investigators indicate that long-term funding deficits had forced them to consider or begin slowing their research programs, which included freezing hiring and taking on fewer or no students. Researchers were optimistic in 2017, but the budget for that year did not ultimately address many of the critical research areas suffering from a lack of investment.
In 2017, the Minister of Science commissioned the Fundamental Science Review – commonly known as the Naylor Report for its principal author, Dr. David Naylor – which was endorsed by research leaders across the country, and championed by university presidents including UBC’s Professor Santa Ono. Over the months that followed, scientists across the country committed considerable time and effort to meeting with Members of Parliament in MP offices, research labs, and in Ottawa to tell their stories and make a plea for better, more inclusive funding.
“Early-career researchers got a boost, in the form of an extra Can$210 million over five years for the Canada Research Chairs programme. The programme supports scientists at universities across the country, and the money is reserved for young researchers.” https://t.co/7gro0NOrCx
— Brianne Kent (@Brianne_Kent) February 28, 2018
Budget 2018 was released by the Government of Canada on February 27, 2018. For more information, visit budget.gc.ca.
Related links
- To improve access to science funding, Support the Report
- UBC researchers promote the Fundamental Science Review on Parliament Hill
- Deeply personal research highlighted during MP visit to Cashman lab
#Budget2018 includes the largest-ever increase to fundamental research funding in Canada – a 25% increase to @SSHRC_CRSH, @NSERC_CRSNG, and @CIHR_IRSC. pic.twitter.com/OMWKnfpxkO
— University of British Columbia (@UBC) February 28, 2018
