Strengthening Canada’s international collaborations at key research conference

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — The global research community faces opportunities and challenges when it comes to rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, research security and economic productivity. Research infrastructure plays an important role in finding and building on the opportunities presented in these complex areas.   

Within that context, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) delegates will share expertise and build partnerships at this year’s International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI) in Brisbane, Australia. The conference works to grow the capacity and performance of research infrastructures around the world. 

Recently, the Government of Canada mandated the CFI to implement a framework for funding Major Research Facilities (MRF), which are very large scale and complex research facilities that perform at the highest level of international science. For over a decade, the CFI has invested in research facilities of national importance through its Major Science Initiatives Fund (MSIF), which focuses on operational support.  

The MRF framework proposes a coordinated approach to funding both the capital and the operating and maintenance costs, considering the full life cycle of these complex facilities and maintaining a strategic, portfolio view to maximize their scientific and socioeconomic benefits. This represents a tremendous shift for the country and is in line with countries in Asia and Europe that are investing in these types of facilities in a strategic way. It also gives our country a potent tool for greater international engagement and economic success.  

During the conference, the CFI will share knowledge on a range of topics and pitch Canada as a destination for world-class researchers.   

To that end, CFI President and CEO Sylvain Charbonneau will participate in a panel about showcasing successful global research infrastructure collaborations, while Mohamad Nasser-Eddine, Vice President of Programs and Planning at the CFI, will speak on a panel about creating a trusted and secure research environment.  

The conference runs until Dec 5, 2024 and focuses on themes including improving Indigenous Knowledge interactions with research infrastructure, exploring global strategies for addressing climate change and developing the next generation of researchers and infrastructure leaders.  

ICRI 2024 will be delivered by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in partnership with the Australian Government, National Research Infrastructure for Australia and in collaboration with the European Union.  

In 2021, the CFI organized ICRI in collaboration with the European Union and in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and with additional support from Laboratories Canada and the National Research Council Canada. Find the proceedings here.