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Advancing Canada’s Research Partnerships Minister Champagne on the Power of Research Partnerships in Canada How research partnerships between academia and industry fuel innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness in Canada. Why are research partnerships between post-secondary institutions and industry important for Canada’s economic and social development? Research partnerships are not just important, they’re imperative for ensuring we, as Canadians, stay adaptable. By pairing researchers and students with businesses looking to stay ahead in a constantly changing world, we are ensuring that Canadian research meets the evolving needs of industry while exposing students to real-world experiences that make them job-ready. Through these partnerships, we are making sure that talent drives innovation and innovation drives economic growth, giving industries the advantage to stay ahead of real-world problems. We’re proud to support these partnerships with programs such as NSERC’s Lab to Market grants and Alliance grants, the College and Community Innovation program, and Mitacs’ partnership programs.
Are there specific industries or sectors where Canada sees the greatest potential for growth through research partnerships? Canada is a global leader in quantum technologies with its innovative and growing quantum sector, and to make sure that we’re capitalizing on the economic potential, we launched a National Quantum Strategy, which invests in partnerships between academia, the private and public sectors, and international players. The same goes for the Canadian Genomics Strategy which we announced in February 2025. Genomics, like AI and quantum, is key to economic and societal transformation — advancing personalized medicine, sustainable agriculture, and bio-based industries. Partnerships between researchers and industry are at the core of its work in strengthening research excellence in genomics towards commercialization and adoption.
What steps is the government taking to ensure funding for research remains competitive with other leading countries?
François-Philippe Champagne Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada
We’ve always said that ours is a Government that believes in science. And since 2016, we have invested over $22 billion in the advancement of science and research. Recently, we increased university scholarships and fellowships in both value and quantity, bringing award values up to competitive levels with countries like Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. We’re committed to research excellence and the numbers speak for themselves — Canada ranks 2nd in the G7 for higher education research development expenditure as a proportion of Research partnerships are not just important, GDP.
What are the government’s strategic priorities for research collaborations, and how do these align with Canada’s long-term goals in innovation?
they’re imperative for ensuring we, as Canadians, stay adaptable.
Canada is home to some of the best and most ambitious researchers in the world, and our Government is committed to connecting them with the resources needed to solve global challenges. For example, last year, we signed an agreement with the European Union allowing Canada’s enhanced participation in Horizon Europe, the world's largest collaborative research and innovation program. This opens a door to Canadian researchers to access new levels of funding and lead on international research initiatives, particularly when it comes to climate change.
In the Prairies, This Top Institute Takes Ingenuity to the Next Level
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Baljit Singh Vice-President of Research, University of Saskatchewan
ndustries must grow and evolve to match the ever-changing demands of society — but that’s easier said than done. Advancements in technology and infrastructure take time, effort, and creative thinking. Listed amongst Canada’s top research schools, the University of Saskatchewan is a resource hub where people can push the boundaries of innovation. “University of Saskatchewan has established itself as a global leader across numerous research areas, and our staff, students, and faculty continue to lead the drive into the future of Canadian research as well,” says the school’s Vice-President of Research, Baljit Singh. The university features world-class research centres including the Canadian Light Source (CLS), the Super Dual Auroral
PH OTO BY DAVE STO B B E
Backed by a rich legacy of research and innovation, the University of Saskatchewan is paving the way for the next generation. Katherine Cappellacci
Radar Network, the Global Water Futures Observatories, and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. The latter is currently constructing one of only two containment Level 4 labs in the entire country, where scientists can develop high-level solutions for countless diseases. Plus, the CLS facility houses Canada’s only synchrotron— a cutting-edge scientific infrastructure that helps researchers solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Building a better tomorrow Overall, the University of Saskatchewan’s research centres have produced astounding results — including new vaccines, sustainable energy solutions, and advancements in infrastructure. The university’s researchers are making major impacts across scientific
fields, including impressive agricultural and bioresource initiatives. Set in the middle of the prairies, these projects focus on discovering new crops, using satellite technology and machine learning to map farm fields, water resources, predict spatial viability, and so much more. Through the work of the Global Institute for Food Security and Global Institute for Water Security, the University of Saskatchewan is advancing innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food. “Funding Canadian research leads to advances in science and technology that benefits everyone, from here at home in Saskatchewan, to nationally and to those living around the world,” Singh adds.
To learn more about the university’s research and innovation efforts, visit usask.ca. This article was sponsored by University of Saskatchewan.
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