Toronto- October 29, 2002 - Sponsored research income at Canada's Top 50 Research Universities rose to $3.4 billion in fiscal 2001. According to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2002 published by Research Infosource Inc, this represents a 22.7% increase over the $2.8 billion reported in 2000. Sponsored research income includes government and non-government sources.

Posting research income of $100 million or more, 14 universities made Research Infosource's elite $100 Million Club in 2001. Leading the charge was first place University of Toronto ($470.1 million), followed by Université de Montréal ($349.5 million), McGill University ($280.3 million), University of Alberta ($240.5 million), University of British Columbia ($193.4 million), Université Laval ($187.4 million), McMaster University ($184.8 million), University of Calgary ($172.1 million), University of Ottawa ($150.8 million), University of Western Ontario ($131.8 million), University of Guelph ($106.3 million), University of Saskatchewan ($101.6 million), University of Manitoba (101.6 million), and Queen's University ($101.4 million). Together these institutions accounted for $2.8 billion of Top 50 sponsored research income for fiscal 2001, 82% of all research funding received.

Looking at the regional picture, the larger provinces reported the lion's share of sponsored research income. Ontario's 17 universities accounted for 40% ($1.4 billion) of Top 50 research funding. Québec's 12 institutions took 29% ($980.4 million), Alberta's three universities accounted for 12% ($417.9 million) and B.C.'s four universities took in 8% ($264.9 million).

Ranking Canada's leading universities by sponsored research income growth in fiscal 2001, smaller institutions shine. Mount Allison University leads the charge with an impressive 188.2% increase, followed by the University of Prince Edward Island up 128.4%. Ryerson climbs by 74.4%, McMaster is up 72.9%, Laurentian University jumps 65%, Carleton is up by 62.3%, Saint Mary's rose by 54.8%, University College of Cape Breton and the University of Lethbridge both jump by 47.1%, and the University of Saskatchewan rounds out the top 10 universities ranked in research income growth with an increase of 41.4%.

"The strong gains posted by smaller universities and institutions in smaller provinces indicates that the current mix of funding programs can benefit all", says Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc.

At the other end of the spectrum, three universities reported double-digit declines in research income in fiscal 2001: Université de Moncton, ranked 44th overall, dropped by 36.5%, University of Winnipeg in 50th spot, reported a decrease of 21.8%, and École de technologie supérieure, number 41 on the list, posted a drop of 16.4%.

Research intensity (research dollars per full-time faculty) for Canada's leading institutions is also showing impressive growth, from an average of $85,500 in fiscal 2000 to $103,200 in 2001, an increase of 20.7%. Two Québec universities top the list of institutions ranked by research intensity in fiscal 2001: Université de Montréal with $209,700 per full-time faculty and McGill University with $208,700. McMaster University ($197,300 per full-time faculty) pushed past powerhouse University of Toronto ($178,900) in the research intensity rankings. University of Alberta ($171,900) holds 5th position. University of Guelph ($159,400) is neck and neck with the University of Ottawa ($156,800), Queen's University ($134,600), University of Calgary ($126,100) and Université Laval ($125,100) round out the top 10.

The complete Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2002 is available on the Research Infosource website, www.researchinfosource.com. The data are drawn from Statistics Canada and Research Infosource's own Canadian University R&D Database. An in-depth Report profiling 65 institutions is slated for publication in November 2002.

Research Infosource Inc., a division of The Impact Group, is Canada's source of R&D intelligence. Drawing from an extensive database, Research Infosource Inc. publishes Canada's Top 100 Corporate R&D Spenders List and Report, Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List and Report, and other specialized reports.

Information: Ron Freedman, CEO, Research Infosource Inc. (416) 481-7070 ext. 31 Janet Sandor, Director of Communications (416) 481-7070 ext. 25