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Government of Canada invests to grow equity, diversity and inclusion capacity in the post-secondary research enterprise

Program news

March 12, 2021

Twelve post-secondary institutions across Canada will receive a two-year grant to help identify and overcome systemic barriers that impede the career advancement, recruitment and retention of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.

The Government of Canada is committed to tackling challenges encountered by underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in Canadian research institutions and their impacts on the whole of the research ecosystem. To that end, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Institutional Capacity-Building Grant was launched as a pilot program in 2019 to support institutions as they adapt and implement organizational and systemic change informed by evidence and meaningful engagement with affected groups.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the twelve institutions sharing close to $4.8 million in funding as part of the 2020 competition of the EDI Institutional Capacity-Building grant. This pilot funding program is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). NSERC is administering it on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies.

Quotes

“When we have diverse voices and thoughts, we get more impactful results in science and research. That’s why we are taking action to make sure that everyone has access to equal opportunities, treatment and recognition in the Canadian academic world. I applaud the work of Canada’s institutions to increase equity, diversity and inclusion in research and eagerly await the positive changes this will bring to the health, well-being and success of Canadians.”
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Congratulations and much success to all 12 post-secondary institutions receiving funds to support their efforts to create an inclusive environment reflecting Canada’s diversity. We know the Canadian research ecosystem can only be excellent, innovative and impactful when it benefits us all.”
- Alejandro Adem, President of NSERC

Quick facts

• As part of the 2019 pilot competition, 15 post-secondary institutions shared $5.3 million in funding to advance their own EDI objectives.
  
  
• The 12 institutions receiving EDI Institutional Capacity-Building Grants as part of the 2020 pilot competition are: 
  
  
  • Cégep de l’Outaouais
  • Centennial College
  • Collège de Maisonneuve
  • Emily Carr University of Art + Design
  • Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • Lethbridge College
  • Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology
  • NorQuest College
  • St. Francis Xavier University
  • Université du Québec à Rimouski
  • University of Lethbridge
  • Thompson Rivers University