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News Release

October 28, 2005

Province Invests $3.6 Million in U of G Projects

The University of Guelph has received more than $3.6 million from the provincial government to advance 29 groundbreaking research initiatives.

The funding was announced today by Premier Dalton McGuinty, minister of research and innovation. It’s part of a $48 million investment to support 312 innovative projects at 20 Ontario research institutions, through the newly created Ontario Research Fund.

The provincial investment matches funding commitments made earlier this year by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Project funding is shared among the CFI, the province, the research institutions and private sector partners.

"This funding will enable a number of Guelph researchers to obtain world-class infrastructure and to carry out research at the calibre Ontario needs," said Alan Wildeman, vice-president (research).

The 29 U of G projects cover a variety of topics and involve researchers across several University departments. They range from research on social and legal responses to violence to animal behaviour biology to critical studies of Canadian literature to water resource management.

“This investment will help ensure innovative new discoveries are made right here in Guelph-Wellington; discoveries that will benefit us all,” said Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph-Wellington.

The Ministry of Research and Innovation was created in June 2005 to help ensure Ontario’s research competitiveness. The government has committed $1.8 billion over four years.

"The crystallization of a provincial strategy to support research in Ontario universities is very welcome and is a vital companion to the provincial investments committed in the Premier's 'Reaching Higher' initiative, which supports quality and excellence in the student learning experience," said president Alastair Summerlee.