BC Researchers Set to Receive Significant Federal FundingVancouver – Genome BC funded researchers have been successful in securing eight out of 16 project awards in a recent national competition. Genome Canada's Large Scale Applied Research Competition (LSARP) has resulted in 16 new projects across the country. Eight of these will be led or co-led by BC based researchers and will bring $24.9 million in federal funding to the province which amounts to 43% of the total funds for this competition.
BC's genomics scientists, some of whom are new to federal funding, have been recognized on the national stage due in part to their previous successful applied genomics research projects funded through Genome BC programs, such as the Applied Genomics Innovation Program and the Strategic Opportunities Fund. With their success in this program, genomics research teams in BC have benefited from an increase in funding which will keep genomics research in our province competitive both nationally and internationally.
"The importance of genomics research has received further affirmation with this substantial investment by Genome Canada and other funding partners," said Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome British Columbia. "We are very proud that such a large percentage of the successful projects are from our province - it is a testament to the extraordinary work being done in applied genomics right here in British Columbia."
The LSARP competition was made up of two parts. One was targeted at projects addressing challenges in forestry and the environment; the other was open to research proposals in other life sciences sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and human health. Seven of the successful BC projects were from the competition targeted to forestry and the environment, and one focused on childhood cancer, was funded through the open competition. All research proposals were peer-reviewed by an international panel and evaluated not only on the proposed science, by equally so on the related social and economic benefits for Canadians.
The breadth of this funded research speaks to the ever-growing application of genomic science to many of the challenges facing us today. Projects funded cover issues relating to climate change, healthy forests, pest-management and bees, managing the watersheds that provide our drinking water and childhood cancer - considerations facing all British Columbians and Canadians.
Not only does this research further increase the number of local genomic researchers and address even more diverse strategic needs, the funding will have an impact on the local economy. Each project will be hiring students,technicians, social scientists, administrative staff and others to work on this vital research. The funding will also be leveraged with private investments to increase the research dollars brought to the region.
-30-
About Genome British Columbia:
Genome British Columbia is a catalyst for the life sciences cluster on Canada's West Coast, and manages a cumulative portfolio of over $450 M in technology platforms and research projects. Working with governments, academia and industry across sectors such as forestry, fisheries, agriculture, environment, bioenergy, mining and human health, the goal of the organization is to generate social and economic benefits for British Columbia and Canada. www.genomebc.ca
Contact:
Julia White
Communications Officer,
Genome BC
604-637-4378
jwhite@genomebc.ca
