Research stories

Our investments support research that benefits Canadians

In CFI-funded labs and facilities across the country, researchers in all stages of their careers are making discoveries, supporting a robust innovation ecosystem and helping solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

Portrait of Nafissa Ismail professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa.

How neuroendocrinology crosses sectors to create promising new insights

Nafissa Ismail focuses on the effects of hormones on the brain to pin down the interactions between our organs and our emotions
Listen now
Hilary Earl kneels on the floor with her laptop as she prepares for an interview. In the foreground is a video camera.
article

Investigating the causes — and consequences — of war and genocide

How immersive simulation, film, video and podcasting tools are giving Hilary Earl and her colleagues fresh insights into the history of state-sponsored violence
All articles
Portrait of Nafissa Ismail professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa.
podcast
Ontario

How neuroendocrinology crosses sectors to create promising new insights

Nafissa Ismail focuses on the effects of hormones on the brain to pin down the interactions between our organs and our emotions
All podcasts
Image of various cellphones on a wooden table displaying photos of researchers.
video

A promising future, now: 25 years of investing in ideas that change our world

The Canada Foundation for Innovation has supported cutting-edge research in Canada for 25 years. In these videos, researchers reflect on how CFI funding has advanced their work and how future generations will benefit. They tell passionate stories of curiosity, commitment and innovation.
All videos

All stories

A woman stands in a fallow field talking on a smart phone and consulting a tablet.
article
Ontario

Digital on the farm

For University of Guelph researcher Helen Hambly Odame the future of Canadian agricultural success lies in harnessing the tools of the digital revolution
A greenhouse glows yellow at night in a snowy background.
article
Manitoba

Hothouses for cold places

University of Manitoba researcher Qiang Zhang wants to use shipping containers to provide food to northern communities — but not to ship it. To grow it.
A brown and white cow stands knee-deep in grass
article
Alberta

Helping ranchers pick the best genes

At the University of Alberta, a CFI-supported project has grown into a world-class livestock genetics research program
An aerial shot of a patchwork of green and fallow fields
article
British Columbia

Harvesting big data

For University of British Columbia researcher Navin Ramankutty the future of sustainable agriculture grows out of a mix of algorithms, big data and powerful computers
Master's student Ryan Greene posing for a photo over a blue background.
article
Newfoundland and Labrador

Preventing back injuries in the work place

Master’s student, Ryan Greene, seeks to discover whether prolonged sitting causes back pain and injuries
Photo of Trafford Simpson, professor of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo
podcast
Ontario

Sight for sore eyes

Trefford Simpson investigates how — and why — our eyes feel pain
A bottle spills out yellow tablets in the form of the letter “A.”
article
Manitoba

A vitamin to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Researchers at the University of Manitoba have produced compelling evidence that a vitamin A supplement could help prevent a disorder that affects more kids than you might expect
Image of Nathan Knapp-Blezius with hand drawn images of culinary arts swirling around him
video

Reinventing the grocery aisle

College student Nathan Knapp-Blezius mixes the culinary arts with a dash of scientific method to help food companies create scrumptious new products
Scientists work on innovative robotics technology in a modern laboratory.
article

The future belongs to the highly skilled

How working in leading-edge research labs is preparing a new generation for success, in the lab and out
A graphic of human hip bones with purple lights around the joints.
article
Alberta

Lasting mobility and joint health is bred in the bone for new research facility

A new facility at the University of Calgary will help researchers get closer to their goal of preventing and treating bone and joint diseases, a growing and often devastating problem for an aging population
Rachel Barre teaching a dance class to Parkinson's patients.
article
Ontario

Boosting brainpower at the barre

Researchers are learning how the unique combination of music and movement provided by learning dance can improve both the mental and physical health of Parkinson’s patients
Michael Houghton posing for a photo.
video
Alberta

The Search for a Hepatitis C Vaccine

University of Alberta scientists close in on a deadly virus