New report says CFI investments retain top talent and create jobs

OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The investments of research infrastructure in 2015-16 fiscal year, such as equipment and facilities made by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) helped more than 23,000 students expand their research skills. This is just one of many positive results highlighted in the CFI’s latest Report on results, an annual report of key outcomes from CFI investments in research infrastructure at campuses across the country.

The report also states that more than 200 newly recruited researchers said that CFI-funded infrastructure was instrumental in their decision to join their institution. In addition, half of the new recruits came from outside of Canada, which suggests that CFI-funded infrastructure played a role in their decision to relocate to Canada. And in this past fiscal year alone, the installation, maintenance and operation of research infrastructure created more than 1,300 jobs.

The Report on results, which is based on information given by institutions through their annual Project progress reports, shows how the CFI is achieving its objectives. It also helps us make the connection between research and innovation, with 164 researchers reporting that their CFI-funded infrastructure resulted in innovation-related outcomes, including new patents, licensing agreements and the creation of 46 new spin-off companies.