CFI Awards nearly $82,000 to NSAC in support of two important research programs

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced last week that it has awarded $81,769 to NSAC to support two important research projects led by David Barrett and Andrew Dacanay.

“The investments announced at NSAC will further enhance our country’s reputation as a destination of choice for outstanding researchers,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, 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.”

The CFI continues to support cutting-edge research infrastructure that helps stimulate various sectors of our economy associated with such capital projects. It is estimated that every dollar invested directly in research yields over $7 in economic benefits including spin off jobs.

Dr. Richard Donald, Vice President Research, Extension and Outreach at NSAC welcomed the CFI’s investment. “Problem solving research which addresses the leading issues facing agriculture is critical to the future sustainability of the industry,” he said. “We are grateful to CFI and our industry partners for investing in the infrastructure required for us to do this work at NSAC.”

Dr. David Barrett and his colleagues will be conducting studies that will benefit the Canadian dairy and sheep sectors. The objectives of this program are the improvement of human health and ruminant reproductive management practices for the production of meat, milk and wool.

The ranching of mink contributes over $80 million per year to the Nova Scotia economy and is a growing agri-commodity in Canada. Aleutian disease affects the viability of mink enterprises, therefore its research is of priority. NSAC houses the Canadian Center for Fur Animal Research and is responsible for 50 per cent of Canada’s annual production of mink pelts. Dr. Dacanay and his colleagues will be investigating ways to produce a resistant strain of mink to this disease through their research efforts.

“This announcement is further proof that faculty and student researchers at Nova Scotia Agricultural College have a reputation for excellence in their fields,” said Scott Armstrong, MP, Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley. “I’m proud that the Canadian Government’s arm’s length corporation, the Canada Foundation for Innovation has made such a significant contribution to NSAC. These funds will help continue this tradition of excellent research right here in Truro.”

The CFI announced a total of $59,483,432 in new funds to support 263 projects at 40 institutions across Canada. The investment was approved by the CFI’s Board of Directors in November 17, 2009, following a rigorous merit-review process. A total of $45,756,486 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 $13,726,946 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.