1. Funding
  2. External Funding
  3. Canada Foundation For Innovation (CFI)
  4. Major Science Initiatives Fund (MSI)

Major Science Initiatives Fund (MSI)

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In 2010, the CFI was mandated by the Government of Canada to design a systematic approach to evaluate and address the operating and maintenance (O&M) funding needs and the scientific performance of national research facilities. The purpose was to ensure that national research facilities have solid management and governance policies and practices in place. In response, the CFI launched the Major Science Initiatives Fund. Held in 2012, the first competition under the MSI sought to support large-scale research facilities that had received a one-time contribution of at least $25 million in infrastructure funding from the CFI. Eligibility was broadened and a special competition in 2014 was launched to include a greater range of national facilities, both in size and complexity, across all research disciplines. The CFI continues to contribute to the ongoing O&M needs of national research facilities for which the loss or absence of support would represent a serious setback for Canada. 

CFI support through this competition is intended to:

  • Secure and strengthen state-of-the-art national research facilities that enable Canadian researchers to undertake world-class research and technology development that leads to social, health, economic, or environmental benefits to Canadians
  • Enable funded facilities to operate at an optimal level and to have their scientific and technical capabilities fully exploited
  • Promote the adoption of best practices in governance and management, including long-term strategic and operational planning in keeping with the scale and complexity of the facility

Queen’s is the recipient of three for national research facilities related to Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), SNOLAB and Canada's National Design Network (CNDN) managed by CMC Microsystems.
 

The next call for proposals is expected in 2021.

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