Government of Canada Invests in the Innovative Leaders of Tomorrow - Minister Rickford Announces Funding at Université Laval

QUEBEC, Sept. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State (Science and Technology) today announced 165 new recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and 70 new recipients of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. These awards provide the best doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from Canada and from around the world studying in Canada with the support they need to conduct world-class research while enhancing Canada's standing as a global centre of excellence in research, innovation and higher learning.

"Through the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships programs, our Government is investing in the innovative research leaders of tomorrow," said Minister Rickford. "The recipients of these prestigious awards are carrying out research that promises to produce breakthroughs in many fields and make significant contributions to enhancing Canada's social and economic growth."

Minister Rickford made the announcement while visiting his alma mater Université Laval where he met a group of Vanier Scholars and Banting Fellows. They included Mylène Riva who received a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2011. Her research focused on increasing our understanding of the socioeconomic and geographic factors that affect cardiovascular health in Canada's northern communities. Now an assistant professor at Université Laval, Dr. Riva continues her work to produce knowledge that will help improve the health of northern Canadians.

"We are very proud of our Vanier and Banting award holders being honoured today. Their contribution to the advancement of research is exceptional and valuable for society. Their pride in excellence matches that of our professors-researchers and their teams," notes Dr. Denis Brière, Rector at Université Laval. "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our faculty members, who together have distinguished themselves in Canada and internationally by the high quality of their teaching and research."

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are Canada's most prestigious programs for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, respectively, working in the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. Both programs are funded through the three federal research granting agencies - Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

"These programs demonstrate Canada's commitment to promoting research excellence and to helping Canadian universities attract the best and brightest doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers," said Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of CIHR, on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies. "Over the next few years, the recipients of these awards will be advancing knowledge in health sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences and emerging as leaders in their fields on the world stage."

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is designed to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. Vanier Scholars demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement. Scholarship recipients receive $50,000 per year for up to three years of research. The 165 new Vanier Scholars announced today represent students from Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Africa and Asia pursuing doctoral degrees at universities across Canada.

For a list of the 2012-2013 Vanier Scholars, please visit: http://vanier.gc.ca/.

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is designed to attract and retain world-class postdoctoral talent, develop their leadership potential and position them for success as the research leaders of tomorrow. Banting Fellows are selected on the basis of demonstrated research excellence, leadership and synergy with the research priorities of the host institution. Fellowship recipients receive $70,000 per year for up to two years of research. The 70 new Banting Fellows announced today represent postdoctoral researchers from Canada, the United States, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia who will be carrying out innovative research projects at Canadian universities as well as leading research institutions abroad.

For a list of the 2012-2013 Banting Fellows, please visit: http://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca.

Backgrounder

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships:
Supporting Future Leaders in Research and Innovation

September 23, 2013

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are Canada's most prestigious awards for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, respectively, working in the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. Through these programs the Government of Canada strengthens the ability of Canadian universities to attract and retain world-class research talent and supports the development of the research leaders of tomorrow. On September 23, 2013, the Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of State for Science and Technology, announced the 2012-2013 recipients of these prestigious awards.

This announcement included:

• 165 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, representing an investment of $24,750,000 over three years.
• 70 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, representing an investment of $9,800,000 over two years.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning and build and strengthen relationships and partnerships with international researchers. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and/or humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

The Vanier CGS program helps Canada's universities attract sought-after doctoral students from across Canada and around the world. These promising scholars help to create a dynamic and innovative environment on our university campuses. Many will stay to pursue academics and professional careers in Canada, helping to foster innovation and creating the jobs of the future.

Vanier Scholars receive $50,000 each year for up to three years of research. A total of 835 scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the program. The program supports up to 500 students annually pursuing doctoral degrees at Canadian universities.

For a list of the 2012-2013 Vanier Scholars, please visit: http://vanier.gc.ca/.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Government of Canada launched the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships (Banting PDF) program in 2010 to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class postdoctoral talent, develop their leadership potential and position them for success as the research leaders of tomorrow. The program will help these researchers positively contribute to Canada's economic, social, and research-based growth through a research-intensive career.

The Banting PDF program is unique in its emphasis on the synergy between applicants and research institutions. As such, applicants must apply in close collaboration with the university or other eligible research institution at which they would hold the fellowship. Research institutions hosting these applicants must demonstrate their commitment to the applicant's success through institutional research priorities, a supportive research environment and professional development opportunities.

Banting Fellows receive $70,000 each year for up to two years of research. A total of 210 fellowships have been awarded since the inception of the program. The program supports 140 postdoctoral researchers annually who work at Canadian universities and leading international research institutions.

For a list of the 2012-2013 Banting Fellows, please visit: http://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Institutes of Health Research

(media only), please contact:

Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Greg Rickford
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-6177

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

David Coulombe 
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563