Research funding at Canadian universities grew just 2.2 per cent this year, according to a study by Toronto firm Research Infosource. This marks the lowest rate of growth seen in a decade and has raised concerns about a possible decline in Canadian innovation.
The study, entitled “Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities List 2012”, found that funding increased in just 34 out of 50 top Canadian universities from 2010 to 2011.
In Ontario, the numbers were worse: the province posted a two per cent loss in research income, as just 12 out of 18 Ontario universities saw their funding increase.
“With most research income coming from government sources and with governments at all levels cutting back, it’s not surprising to see total research support slipping,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource. “This year’s growth is the poorest since Research Infosource began tracking in 2001.”
The University of Toronto saw its research income increase by 4.2 per cent over the last year, and came first in the national ranking of Canadian research universities, followed by UBC and the University of Alberta.
