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Genome Canada investments drive cutting edge R&D in health, environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience

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This milestone investment marks the 100th project funded through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program, which has invested in late-stage research and development (R&D) projects addressing real world opportunities and challenges for the last decade.

Genomics research is driving innovations and delivering solutions to global challenges like climate change, public health and food security. Canada’s robust research ecosystem has developed world-class strength in genomics with major investments over more than 20 years to solidify our position as a world leader in the field.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced $18.1 million in federal support through Genome Canada for 13 late-stage research and development projects tackling major challenges in health, environment and agriculture through genomics.

The projects announced today—deployed through diverse research partnerships with industry, healthcare organizations, as well as provincial and other federal partners—will harness cutting-edge genomics science to deliver real world impacts for healthier, more sustainable and prosperous communities across Canada.

With an additional $38.6 million provided by provincial governments, businesses and other research partners across Canada, this announcement represents a total investment of $56.7 million for Canadian genomics research and development.

These public-private partnerships will generate solutions for:

  • Health, by delivering life-saving precision health, new treatment and diagnosis options, and public health innovation for pathogen surveillance.
  • Environmental sustainability, by driving environmental protection in mining and development of new tools to ensure ecosystem health.
  • Resilient agriculture, by enabling nature-based solutions for pest management.

Marking a decade of impact-focused research investment

The projects announced today are funded through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). Marking its 10th anniversary this year, and its 100th funded project, GAPP leverages world-leading expertise and diversified partnerships to accelerate translation of scientific knowledge into broad economic and societal benefits for Canada.

Explore the new projects announced today.

Quotes

“Genomics is a key technology that is instrumental in responding to national and global challenges. Projects like the ones announced under the Genome Canada’s Genomics Applications Partnership Program are central to make sure the Canadian research system grow and remain at the forefront globally, leading to more cutting-edge genomics science that delivers real impacts for the health and economic growth of Canadians.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Enabling impact-focused research partnerships between academia, industry, public sector institutions and other partners is a powerful vehicle for generating long-term growth, low-carbon productivity and a healthier future for Canadians. Genome Canada is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of the Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP) and invest in our 100th GAPP with the vital support of the Government of Canada.”

– Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada

Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada

Learn more about the 13 projects announced today:

Quick facts

  • Budget 2021 provided $400 million over six years, starting in 2021–22, to support the creation of a Pan-Canadian Genomics Strategy to drive further innovation in genomics through commercialization and adoption. This funding included $136.7 million over two years, starting in 2022–23, for programming delivered by Genome Canada to kick-start the new strategy and complement existing genomics research and innovation programming.
  • Today’s announcement is for $18.1 million in federal funding for genomics research and an additional $38.6 million in co-funding from provincial governments, businesses and other research partners across Canada: a total investment of $56.7 million.
  • This milestone investment in 13 new projects within Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) marks the 100th project funded through GAPP. GAPP has invested in downstream research and development (R&D) projects addressing real world opportunities and challenges since 2013.
  • Since 2000, Genome Canada has leveraged $1.8 billion in federal investment into a total investment of $4.3 billion in R&D including co-funding, supported over 6,700 talented research trainees and spun-out more than 108 new Canadian companies.

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