New Banting Fellowships important investment in university research capacity

OTTAWA – Today’s announcement of the inaugural 70 recipients of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships will help Canada’s universities develop, attract and retain top researchers from across Canada and around the world. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced the recipients today at the Ontario Cancer Institute.

“The Banting Fellowship program is a significant investment in research excellence at Canada’s universities and other institutions,” says Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “These fellowships will help our universities attract the best and brightest researchers to our campuses and allow Canadian researchers to complete their placements at a foreign research institute, further strengthening our global research networks.”

Announced by Prime Minister Harper in July 2010, the five-year, $45 million Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program will award 70 new fellowships each year, each valued at $70,000 annually for two years. The program builds on the success of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program, the Canada Research Chairs program and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program.

 -30-

For more information or interview opportunities:

Helen Murphy
AUCC Communications Manager
hmurphy@aucc.ca
613-563-1236 ext. 238