July 29, 2024 (OTTAWA, ON) – Canada’s leading research universities have issued a series of recommendations ahead of Budget 2025, which seek to build on the important research investments in last year’s budget to maximize their impact on the Canadian research ecosystem. As part of the Finance Committee’s pre-budget consultations, U15 Canada is outlining modest and targeted investments in digital research infrastructure, international engagement through Horizon Europe and support towards the indirect costs of research, including research security, to enable Canadian researchers to realize the success of their ideas and technologies, benefiting all Canadians.
U15 Canada’s submission acknowledges the significant new investments in research, including support for talent and research infrastructure, which totalled $3.5 billion in Budget 2024. The submission to the Finance Committee underlines the importance of delivering on this vision for success in a competitive and turbulent international landscape. At the same time, reflecting the direct engagement with the research community, U15 Canada seeks to identify additional areas for strategic investment to maximize the success of these investments and meet the needs of researchers.
Canada’s future success and economic sovereignty relies on a thriving research ecosystem and U15 Canada’s recommendations present specific actions that would help deliver a more prosperous, resilient and competitive research system that would enhance Canada’s prospects in the challenging 21st century.
“Canada’s research universities warmly welcomed the investments made in Budget 2024 to help build a better future for all. We continue to work together with government to realize the impact of this vitally needed support for researchers while also identifying additional targeted measures to fully realize that impact and fully enable the work of researchers on behalf of Canada”, said Dr. Chad Gaffield, CEO of U15 Canada.
“In a turbulent time, Canada depends on the federal government to help support research universities to successfully engage in Horizon Europe; to meet the rising administrative and indirect costs of conducting research, including additional research security requirements; and to build globally competitive digital research infrastructure”, added Dr. Gaffield.
The full submission and list of recommendations is available online: U15 Canada-PBS 2025
About U15 Canada
U15 Canada is an association of fifteen leading research universities across Canada. U15 Canada works to optimize research and innovation policies and programs that advance knowledge, develop highly-qualified leaders for all sectors, and mobilize knowledge for the benefit of all Canadians. In this way, U15 Canada seeks to help Canadian universities make a prosperous, sustainable and just future for all.
For further information, please contact:
James Hammond, Director of Public Affairs
613-715-4764