Winnipeg/IBNS: The Manitoba government will fund $13.6 million in 2023-24 to Research Manitoba to advance the research ecosystem and support strategic investments in research and innovation, Jeff Wharton, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister has said.

“This funding will position Manitoba as an attractive location for investment and innovation, and benefit all Manitobans economically,” Wharton said.

Besides strengthening research capacity, Wharton said that Research Manitoba supports key government priorities including health care, entrepreneurship, innovation, economic growth and job creation.

Research Manitoba will also co-create an Indigenous research and innovation framework to ensure Indigenous experiences and culturally safe research methodologies are honoured and incorporated in this work.

This year’s increased funding of $1.55 million from the previous year, or 13 percent will not only support in co-ordinating funding of Manitoba’s research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the humanities, but will also enhance Indigenous participation in research and innovation, and advance a new clinical trials, better support Indigenous-led reviews and programming, close the innovation gap to benefit Indigenous people and communities in Manitoba.

Karen Dunlop, CEO, Research Manitoba said that this important increase in funding will allow Research Manitoba to develop research talent for today, tomorrow, and future generations to come, and support the development of an Indigenous research and innovation initiative to help build capacity.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)