New Mitacs-Banting Discovery Awards invest in early career researchers

Ottawa, ON — Mitacs is expanding its support for early career researchers across Canada by funding six new Banting Research Foundation Discovery Awards, valued at $25,000 each, for researchers in the first three years of a faculty position following their post-doctoral fellowship. The new Mitacs-Banting Discovery Awards are for researchers in biomedical sciences undertaking health research projects.

“Canada’s biomedical industry has been steadily growing, but still has significant potential to expand and compete in the global marketplace,” says Mitacs CEO John Hepburn. “Today biomedical research is shifting to new areas, such as the growth of digital health and biomedical AI, and our early career researchers are leading the way. We see the Mitacs-Banting Discovery Awards as another way Mitacs can support their success.”

Mitacs helps develop Canadian researchers and innovators by connecting SMEs with the university and college talent that can solve their business challenges. Greater diversity in supports for early-stage researchers will help them develop disruptive technologies that can address our most pressing health problems.

“The need to invest in emerging Canadian research talent is now more urgent than ever,” says Banting Foundation Executive Director Maurine Kwok. “Mitacs and the Banting Foundation understand that Canada needs the contributions of young researchers to address our most pressing healthcare challenges and build our innovation economy. We’re very pleased to partner with Mitacs to increase the financial support available to top early career researchers through the Mitacs-Banting Discovery Awards.”

Grant application and instructions are available at www.bantingresearchfoundation.ca/discovery-award-program. Application deadline is January 25, 2021, 5:00 pm ET.

About Mitacs

• Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.
• Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
• For information about Mitacs and its programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.

About the Banting Research Foundation

Since 1925, The Banting Foundation has invested in the early careers of researchers who demonstrate excellence and creativity in health and biomedical science research.

As the first health science discovery catalyst in Canada, many of our grants sparked remarkable discoveries that transformed the practice of medicine and surgery, reduced illness and death rates, and propelled many of our recipients into positions of influence and leadership across Canada.   

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Media Contacts:

Mitacs
Heather Young
Director, Communications
604-818-0020 | hyoung@mitacs.ca

Banting Foundation
Maurine Kwok
Executive Director
416-926-8887 | ed@bantingresearchfoundation.ca