Over 120 UCalgary researchers from across campus awarded federal funding

On Aug. 29, 2023, Randy Boissonnault, minister of employment, workforce development and official languages, announced $960 million in funding for Canadian researchers on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, and of Mark Holland, minister of health.

“My best wishes to all of the recipients of these grants, awards and scholarships,” said Holland. “The government is pleased to invest in your diverse array of health, natural sciences and engineering, and humanities and social sciences research projects because we know that your ideas, passion and hard work, as well as the evidence you uncover, are instrumental in improving the health and quality of life of people in Canada, and your findings contribute to the international research effort around the world.”

Over 120 UCalgary researchers were awarded funding via seven federal programs led by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“We are proud of all of the scholars included in today’s announcement, who represent the diversity of disciplines and research approaches we support at UCalgary,” said Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research).

“This investment underscores the importance of our research activities, and its impact will reach far beyond our campus and further solidify our role as a leading research institution in Canada.”

Grants, chairs, fellowships and scholarships received by UCalgary include:

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral scholars who will positively contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and research-based growth. UCalgary’s Banting postdocs are:

• Dr. Audrey-Ann Deneault, PhD, Faculty of Arts
• Dr. Faizan Khan, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
• Dr. Wanhai Qin, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine
• Dr. Stephanie Ross, PhD, Faculty of Kinesiology

Canada Foundation for Innovation John Evans Leadership Fund (CFI-JELF)

Funding provided through the JELF helps institutions to recruit and retain outstanding researchers and acquire the tools that enable the innovative work of leading researchers.

UCalgary received 15 CFI JELF grants in the faculties of Kinesiology, Science, Veterinary Medicine, the Cumming School of Medicine, and the Schulich School of Engineering, valued at over $3.4 million.

Read more about CFI JELF recipient Tim Friesen's research project and see the full list of funded projects. 

Canada Research Chairs (CRCs)

The Canada Research Chairs Program supports emerging and established researchers across health, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities disciplines, and enhances research excellence in Canada.

UCalgary’s latest Canada Research Chairs are:

• Dr. Marlyn Bennett, PhD, Faculty of Social Work: Tier 2 CRC in Indigenous Children's Well-Being
• Dr. Nargis Khan, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine: Tier 2 CRC in Tuberculosis and other Highly Infectious Respiratory Pathogens
• Dr. Amir Sanati-Nezhad, PhD, Schulich School of Engineering: Tier 2 CRC in Bio-microelectromechanical systems (renewal)

Meet our latest Canada Research Chairs

NSERC Discovery Grants Program

Discovery Grants (DGs) support ongoing programs of research with long-term goals rather than a single short-term project or collection of projects. DGs provide long-term operating funds, and support creative and innovate projects with up to five years of funding.

UCalgary received 73 grants from the DG program in the faculties of Arts, Kinesiology, Science, Veterinary Medicine, the Cumming School of Medicine, Haskayne School of Business, and Schulich School of Engineering, valued at over $17.2 million.

SSHRC Insight Grants

The goal of SSHRC’s Insight Research program is to build knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world. Insight Grants provide stable, long-term support for projects that address complex issues and further our collective understanding.

UCalgary received 19 Insight Grants in the faculties of Arts, Law, Nursing, Social Work, and the Haskayne School of Business, valued at over $2 million.

SSHRC Partnership Development Grants (PDGs)

SSHRC PDGs support social sciences and humanities research’s potential for influence, benefit, and impact, within and beyond post-secondary institutions, by funding research and related activities and tools that facilitate co-creating and exchanging research knowledge.

UCalgary received 2 PDGs in 2023:

• Dr. Michael Hart, PhD, Office of Indigenous Engagement: Elders' Declaration of Information Governance Project
• Dr. Jennifer Winter, PhD, School of Public Policy: Canadian Climate Policy Partnership

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health. The scholarship is valued at $50,000 per year for three years.

Eight UCalgary doctoral students were named Vanier Scholars:

• Fahad Iqbal, Clinical Neuroscience
• Areefa Karan, Community Health Science
• Julien Rimok, Biomedical Engineering
• Ainsley Catherine Joan Smith, Biomedical Engineering
• Rebecca Booth, Physics and Astronomy
• Alejandro Josabad Cuellar De Lucio, Chemistry
• Philippa Ngaju, Biomedical Engineering
• Prince Ekoh, Social Work

Meet UCalgary’s Vanier scholar from the Libin Cardiovascular Institute