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Next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators receive support for new skills and training for jobs of the future

Government of Canada invests more than $29 million over the next six years so that young researchers can get hands-on training opportunities

General news Professors

November 27, 2017

November 27, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario - When given the right environment to learn, Canadian graduate students and postdoctoral fellows can go on to produce incredible results in areas such as accessibility design, robotics, and green technology. Their hands-on research experiences deliver new discoveries and innovations that improve the lives of Canadians and equip them with the skills they need for the jobs of the future.

To support their research and career ambitions, the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities on behalf of Kristy Duncan, Minister of Science today announced at Carleton University more than $29 million to be delivered through one of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) premiere research funding programs.

The Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program supports training experiences that help make today’s talented students ready for the high-quality jobs in Canada’s research and innovation sectors. Companies also benefit by gaining access to potential employees who are eager to apply their knowledge and talents to deliver results that support a strong economy and a growing middle class.

One of the 18 research projects receiving CREATE funding today is led by Dr. Adrian Chan from Carleton University. Dr. Chan and his team are researching education in accessibility and design with a focus on removing barriers preventing people with disability from living a full life and making their greatest contribution to society.

Quick Facts

• This year’s funded CREATE projects cover a wide variety of topics including robotics, quantum nanotechnology, agroecology and green energy, and storage technologies.
• CREATE teams are made up of a variety of researchers, often from different fields of study, from across Canada. This includes university researchers as well as individuals from the private sector. Trainees will intern with numerous industrial partners and/or government agencies as part of the program.
  
• CREATE teams are led by researchers who champion a training agenda that includes the personal and professional skills development necessary for students to succeed in the world outside academia (leadership, entrepreneurship, communications, project management, etc.).

Quotes

“By empowering our country’s talented young researchers to pursue their ambitions and gain the hands-on experiences they need for the jobs of tomorrow, our government is paving the way to a bolder, brighter future for our country. This investment will give some of the most promising science and engineering graduate students and postdoctoral fellows the support they need to make an important difference in their lives and the lives of others.”
The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

“The NSERC CREATE Research and Education in Accessibility, Design, and Innovation program, led by Dr. Chan, helps fulfill an existing training gap in accessibility within the areas of engineering, information and communications technology. Inclusive design and accessibility is not only fueled by human rights and legislative requirements, but also innovative research that delivers tangible results to people living with disabilities.”
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

“Investments in skills training and encouraging interdisciplinary, experiential learning and exposure to entrepreneurial culture are best put into action with programs like CREATE. The result is a cohort of early-career scientists and engineers with tremendous potential who will become the leaders of tomorrow.”
Dr. Pierre Charest, NSERC Vice President, Research Grants and Scholarships

“The CREATE Program generates outstanding mentoring and skills training opportunities for our students benefitting from hands-on experience that will complement their qualifications and academic training. Trainees improve their job-readiness and give their career a headstart while connecting with industry partners in their field who will become potential employers.”
Dr. Alastair J.S. Summerlee, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, Carleton University

Associated Links

• The complete list of the 2017 CREATE grant recipients.
• Where NSERC Invests and Why
• A Vision of NSERC in 2020

About NSERC

NSERC invests over $1 billion each year in natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. Our investments deliver discoveries – valuable world-firsts in knowledge claimed by a brain trust of over 11,000 professors. Our investments enable partnerships and collaborations that connect industry with discoveries and the people behind them. Researcher-industry partnerships established by NSERC help inform research & development and solve scale-up challenges.

NSERC also provides scholarships and hands-on training experience for more than 30,000 post-secondary students and post-doctoral fellows. These young researchers will be the next generation of science and engineering leaders in Canada.

Contacts

Ann Marie Paquet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science
Tel.: 343-291-2692
Email: ann-marie.paquet@canada.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Tel.: 343-291-1777
Email: ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Lucy Lai
Media Relations Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Tel.: 613-996-2341
Email: media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca