Canada Invests $8 Million in Research Chairs Infrastructure

HAMILTON, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Government of Canada has announced a significant investment of nearly $8 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) whose work ranges from developing innovative surgical solutions to new critical mineral mining techniques. This investment, made through the CFI’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) in collaboration with the CRC Program, will support the work of 35 research chairs at 22 universities across the country.

The funding will be used to support the research infrastructure needed for these chairs to conduct their groundbreaking work. The total investment of $7,741,965 includes $5,955,358 for the research infrastructure and $1,786,607 from the Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF) to cover the costs of operating the research facilities. The CFI typically contributes up to 40 percent of a project’s research infrastructure costs, and research institutions secure the remaining 60 percent through partnerships with provincial and territorial governments, industry, and other public, private, and not-for-profit organizations.

The John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) will also provide additional funding through the CFI’s Infrastructure Operating Fund (IOF) to cover the costs of operating the research infrastructure. This collaborative approach ensures that the research chairs have the necessary resources to advance their work, which is crucial for addressing national priorities in various sectors.

The investments will support a range of projects across the country. For example, researchers at the Université du Québec, École de technologie supérieure will use the funds to add and upgrade equipment in their biomaterials lab to develop advanced hydrogels for healing. These injectable biomaterials can deliver healing cells directly to damaged tissues, support tissue regeneration, and improve cancer immunotherapies. The team will also develop gels to safely block blood vessels during medical procedures, which could improve treatments for conditions such as cancer and severe internal bleeding.

At the University of Ottawa, researchers will establish a new marine geology lab to study how seawater circulates through cracks in the ocean floor, creating deposits of minerals and precious metals. Using a CFI-funded oven, rock crusher, and advanced microscopes, they will analyze rock samples and map seafloor deposits to better understand how they form. This research will provide valuable information for the responsible management and protection of Canada’s offshore environment and support the country’s future economy by improving knowledge of critical mineral resources.

At the University of British Columbia, researchers will use CFI-funded monitoring and water-sampling equipment to track how water moves through forests, soils, and streams. By understanding where trees get their water and how forests influence water availability, they will work to understand how climate-related disturbances affect freshwater supplies. Their findings will help guide water and forest management, support climate adaptation efforts, and ensure reforestation projects protect both water security and ecosystem resilience.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation, with a mandate to equip researchers to be global leaders and respond to emerging challenges, has invested in state-of-the-art tools, instruments, and facilities at universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions. By attracting co-funding from strategic partners, this unique funding model optimizes the Government of Canada’s investments in research infrastructure.