Two USask flagship research facilities are among top major science facilities that will benefit from the federal budget’s commitment to continued support for these engines of innovation. This is part of an investment in Canada’s research ecosystem that totals more than $3 billion across the next five years.
USask’s Canadian Light Source (CLS) will receive a three-year, $83.5-million operating funding extension, beginning in 2026-27. As Canada’s only synchrotron light source and an invaluable tool for innovative science in advanced materials, agriculture, environment and health, this funding ensures that the CLS is supported to stay on the leading edge of research.
USask’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) will receive $30 million in construction funding to strengthen Canada’s preparedness for emerging infectious diseases and to become Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research.
This funding for VIDO supports building a new animal housing facility and upgrading key areas to containment level 4 (CL4), the highest level of containment. VIDO has some of the most advanced high-containment research and development capacity in the world, aimed at protecting the health of Canadians and Canada’s agriculture sector.
Of significance to the Canadian post-secondary sector and to USask is $825 million over five years to increase the value of federal master’s and doctoral scholarships to $27,000 and $40,000, respectively, and post-doctoral fellowships to $70,000. This funding will also increase the number of scholarships and fellowships by 1,720. Currently, USask has 160 students receiving federal graduate and post-doctoral scholarships.
This increase demonstrates a commitment to support students across Canada and recognizes the contributions they make to the country’s social and economic prosperity. USask’s community of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows advances research, artistic, and scholarly work, and supports teaching and learning at the university.
Other measures in the budget will also make a difference to USask students, including expansion of student loans and grants, the elimination of the credit screening requirement for mature students applying for Canada Student Grants and Loans, and modernizing the shelter allowance system.
Canadian research granting agencies — Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) — will receive $1.8 billion over five years towards core research grant funding. This represents a total increase over five years of around 30 per cent, ramping up from a three per cent increase in the first year to reach eight per cent in the fourth and fifth years.
This increase supports the post-secondary sector’s global competitiveness and advances Canada’s research enterprise which includes development of highly qualified, talented individuals.
The federal budget also provides $30 million over three years supporting Indigenous researchers and their communities to participate in research, with $10 million each for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit partners.
USask will continue to assess the impact of the 2024-25 budget and what it means for the university’s research, teaching, and learning mission.
Quotes
“This federal investment bolsters areas of education and research that are critical to our success and to Canada’s future. Today’s budget will increase financial support for those studying and conducting research at the graduate level. This and other funding related to knowledge creation and innovation will ensure that USask and Canada can attract and retain the top talent needed to compete in the global knowledge economy.”
- Peter Stoicheff, President, University of Saskatchewan
"The commitment in the federal budget to grow Canada’s research innovation potential is welcome. It signals a big leap for the research ecosystem of Canada and an opportunity to catch up to many other competitive global economies that are investing boldly in their research and innovation systems.”
- Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
“Today’s announcement by the Government of Canada strengthens pandemic preparedness and supports VIDO’s evolution to Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, ultimately advancing the development of vaccines that benefit the world.”
- Dr. Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO, VIDO
"This funding will enable the Canadian Light Source to continue to serve the more than 1,000 researchers who use our facility every year, attract and retain the best minds, provide unique-in-Canada synchrotron capabilities, and advance science in health, agriculture, the environment, and advanced materials."