The CFI Awards $115,000 to NSAC in Support of three of its Top Researchers

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced today that it has awarded $115,000 to Nova Scotia Agricultural College in support of three projects led by Drs. Sharifi, Corscadden and Prithiviraj.

“The investments being announced today at NSAC will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” said Dr. Gilles G. Patry, President and CEO of the CFI. “They will make our universities even more competitive when it comes to attracting the best and brightest researchers from around the world.”

Dr. Richard Donald, NSAC vice president, research, extension and outreach welcomed the CFI’s investment. “Problem solving research that addresses the leading issues facing agriculture is critical to the future sustainability of the industry,” he said. “We are grateful to CFI for investing in the infrastructure required for us to do this work at NSAC.”

The Leaders Opportunity Fund is designed to help universities acquire infrastructure for their leading research faculty to undertake cutting-edge research.

Supporting science is key to Canada’s future economic growth,” said Member of Parliament, for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, Mr. Scott Armstrong “Our government’s commitment to helping universities attract and retain world-leading research talent will lead to discoveries that improve the quality of life of Canadians and create new jobs.”

Dr. Mehdi Sharifi is developing an innovative nutrient management program that will help local producers reduce their cost of production, improve the quantity and quality of the products produced and reduce adverse environmental impacts.
Dr. Kenny Corscadden’s work will have a positive impact on the agricultural and energy industries in Canada. It will permit the evaluation and analysis of energy use, energy efficient practices and the development of site feasibility protocols for renewable energy technologies.

The infrastructure secured through the Leaders Opportunity Fund will allow Dr Balakrishnan Prithiviraj to support the existing multidisciplinary plant research at NSAC by contributing critical strength in the innovative area of rhizosphere molecular biology. This infrastructure is essential for expanding collaborations with universities, industry and government laboratories.

The CFI announced a total of $61,291,274 in new funds to support 246 projects at 48 institutions across Canada. The investment was approved by the CFI’s Board of Directors in June and November, 2010, following a rigorous merit-review process. A total of $47,147,134 was awarded under the Leaders Opportunity Fund, which provides infrastructure support to Canadian institutions so they can attract and retain the very best of today and tomorrow’s leading researchers at a time of intense international competition for knowledge workers. The remaining $14,144,140 was awarded under the Infrastructure Operating Fund, a complementary program that assists research institutions with the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with new infrastructure projects.

For a complete list of the projects awarded, please visit www.innovation.ca.

NSAC is a specialized university that cultivates learning and research, focusing on improving and sustaining our environment for the health and well-being of society.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has committed $5.3 billion in support of more than 6,800 projects at 131 research institutions in 65 municipalities across Canada.