Canada Announces Over $813 Million Investment to Support Researchers and Institutions
On October 23, 2026, the Government of Canada announced more than $813 million in funding to support over 450 researchers and research institutions nationwide through programs including the New Frontiers in Research Fund, Research Support Fund, Canada Research Chairs, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
The Government of Canada announced more than $813 million in funding on October 23, 2026, to support world-class research across the country. The investment is intended to support over 450 researchers and strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem.
Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, made the announcement in Hamilton, Ontario, on behalf of Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry. The funding is distributed through several federal programs designed to attract and retain leading research talent, strengthen research security, and enable transformational research in areas such as clean energy, regenerative medicine, machine learning, and health services.
Through the 2026 New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Transformation competition, $120 million is allocated to five research teams, with a maximum grant of $24 million per team. This component aims to support high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research.
A significant portion of the investment flows through the Research Support Fund (RSF) for 2026-27 to help institutions cover the indirect costs of research. More than $369 million is provided via RSF base grants to 161 institutions. Additionally, nearly $104 million is allocated to 34 institutions through RSF Incremental Project Grants, and nearly $25 million is directed to 51 institutions through RSF Research Security grants.
Over $187 million is designated for 220 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, supporting the attraction and retention of top-tier researchers. Nearly $8 million is provided through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund to support 35 projects at 22 institutions, helping provide state-of-the-art research infrastructure and equipment.
The announcement also included $300,000 awarded to three researchers through the 2025 Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity, promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the research ecosystem.
The programs involved are administered with the participation of organizations including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat.