TORONTO - Research at the University of Toronto and its partner hospitals has received a colossal boost with the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) awarding $134.8 million in research infrastructure funding to the powerhouse network.

U of T itself was awarded $76.6 million for 16 projects. The funding injection - the largest investment the CFI has ever awarded to U of T since the program was founded in 1997 - will help the university acquire cutting edge equipment, create databases and build on state-of-the-art facilities to support world-class research.

"On behalf of the University of Toronto, we extend a huge thanks to the Government of Canada and the CFI. This is a marvelous day for the U of T community," says Professor Paul Young, vice-president of research. "This was a national competition based on research excellence and there is no question that this quality is at the root of the innovative projects that have been awarded. It is also important to note the diversity and societal relevance of the research. The global community will see benefits from this work for years to come."

The partner hospitals receiving CFI investment include the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Hospital for Sick Children, Mount Sinai Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the University Health Network.

The $76.6 million injection will support internationally relevant research across a wide range of disciplines at U of T. Stem cell medicine, development of nanotechnology, environmental study, digital media and space research are among the fields of study that will benefit from the funding.

The money flows through three programs: The Leading Edge fund, which helps build on already successful initiatives supported by past CFI investment; the New Initiatives Fund, which is designed to enhance Canada's capacity in new areas of research and technology development; and the Infrastructure Operating Fund, which supports operating costs.

"Through the CFI, our government is creating leading-edge facilities to attract world-class researchers," says Minister of Industry Tony Clement. "Our government understands that these investments provide a significant short-term economic stimulus while making a difference in the lives of Canadians."

The U of T funding is part of a $665 million investment by the CFI to support 133 projects at 41 research institutions across the country. The CFI was created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure and strengthen the research capacity of universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit institutions.

"By investing in leading-edge research infrastructure, we are ensuring that our country continues to prosper as a nation of innovation," says Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. "This new investment will substantially increase Canada's capacity to carry out important world-class scientific research and technology development that will benefit all Canadians."