UBC Engineering research awarded over $22M from CFI, NSERC and SSHRC
March 13, 2024
UBC Faculty of Applied Science-affiliated research projects have been awarded over $22 million in federal funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Innovation Fund, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance 2022-23, and Social Sciences and Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Development Grants.
This investment into 37 UBC-led engineering research projects supports work to understand and develop solutions to the challenges that Canadians face, particularly when it comes to climate change and the need to build more resilient, sustainable communities.
CFI Innovation Fund
Two projects co-led by UBC engineering experts have received over $11 million from the CFI Innovation Fund to help Canada reach its net zero emissions targets and achieve a circular economy.
More than $7.4 million has been awarded to an interdisciplinary team, co-led by materials and manufacturing engineering experts Dr. Ben Britton and Dr. Amanda Clifford, to develop new materials that will enable and support the clean energy transition. The project address three critical areas: building towards a hydrogen economy, reducing and converting carbon dioxide into useful products, and developing more efficient batteries and materials for electrification.
“This project will catalyze our work in the energy sector, provide opportunities to develop and spin out new technologies, train highly qualified personnel, and ultimately support the robust and emerging Canadian clean tech sector,” said Britton.
“Many people are uncertain about how to transition to clean energy – this project is a roadmap to guide us,” said Clifford.
A project co-led by Dr. Orlando Rojas, a professor of chemical and biological engineering, was awarded nearly $3.8 million to develop innovative, renewable bioproducts from naturally abundant plant biopolymers. These plant materials are often considered waste products, but have the potential to help Canada achieve a circular green economy.
NSERC Alliance 2022-23
Thirty-four projects led by UBC engineers across both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses were awarded over $11 million in NSERC Alliance Grants in the 2022-23 cycle.
Funding went towards a wide variety of projects around artificial intelligence, developing more resilient buildings and infrastructure, and developing solutions to help achieve a more sustainable future.
SSHRC Insight Development Grants
A project led by the School of Engineering has received over $68,000 to explore and analyze factors affecting how the Canadian food industry performs.
Learn about all UBC-led projects funded by CFI IF, NSERC Alliance and SSHRC IDG.
