Toronto - October 29, 2003 - Canada's top 50 research universities posted $3.8 billion in sponsored research income for fiscal 2002. This represents a 12.1% increase over the $3.4 billion in 2001, according to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2003, published by Research Infosource Inc. Sponsored research income includes both government and non-government sources, of which government sources accounted for 68% of the total.

Looking at total sponsored research income, 14 universities made Research Infosource's prestigious $100 Million Club. The University of Toronto ranked 1st with $456.3 million. Université de Montréal came 2nd with $383.4 million, followed by McGill University in 3rd with $316.6 million. The University of Alberta (287.5 million) and the University of British Columbia ($216.3 million) round out the top 5. Université Laval ($215.9 million) placed 6th, McMaster ($197.3 million) was 7th, and the University of Calgary ($177.9 million) ranked 8th. Rounding out the top 10 are 9th placed University of Ottawa ($152.2 million) and in 10th spot, Queen's University ($150.7 million). The University of Western Ontario ($149.3 million) placed 11th, University of Saskatchewan ($121.3 million) was 12th, University of Guelph ($113.7 million) holds 13th spot, and in 14th place, the University of Manitoba ($102.2 million) completes The $100 Million Club. Together these institutions accounted for 80% of all research funding received.

Ranking Canada's top universities by research income growth, the smaller institutions take the lead. Acadia University takes top position with a 72.3% jump, and Trent University is 2nd with a 69.3% increase. Posting a 68% growth, Brock University is 3rd and Lakehead University is 4th with a 67.6% increase. The University of Lethbridge rounds out the top 5, reporting a 65.2% growth in sponsored research income. York University (51.5%) is 6th, Queen's University (48.7%) is 7th, University of Regina (46.1%) is 8th, Université du Québec à Montréal (37.9%) is 9th and Simon Fraser University (34.9%) completes the top 10.

Three universities posted a decline in research income. University College of Cape Breton (-8.8%), Ryerson University (-6.9%) and the University of Toronto (-2.9%).

"Research income growth slowed in fiscal 2002 to 12.1% for Canada's top 50 universities", says Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc. "This is considerably less than the 22.7% increase in fiscal 2001 and the 24% jump in 2000. "Government funding remained strong, but non-government funding, especially from investments and endowments, was weak. This reflects problems in the broader economy."

The good news is research intensity (research income per full-time faculty) reached $113,400 in fiscal 2002, up from $103,200 in 2001. Ranking by research intensity, McGill University leads the pack with $233,000 per full-time faculty. Université de Montréal is 2nd with $219,700, McMaster University is 3rd posting $201,400, University of Alberta is in 4th place with $199,100, and Queen's University rounds out the top 5 with $198,000. At $171,600, the University of Toronto is 6th, University of Guelph is in 7th spot with $166,700, University of Ottawa places 8th with $159,100, Université Laval is 9th with $154,500, and University of Calgary completes the top 10 with $122,400.

The largest provinces accounted for the lion's share of research income. Ontario's 17 institutions accounted for 39% for a total of $1.5 billion. Québec with 13 institutions reported $1.1 billion for 29% of the total, and Alberta's 3 universities brought in $474.1 million, representing 12%. British Columbia with 4 universities recorded $304.6 million (8%), Saskatchewan's 2 universities posted $140.3 million (4%), Manitoba, also with 2 universities, reported $104.8 million (3%), and Nova Scotia with 5 institutions had $93.3 million (2%). New Brunswick ($31.3 million) with 2 universities, and Newfoundland ($34.9 million) with one accounted for 1% each. Prince Edward Island, with one university, posted $5.2 million, which was less than 0.5% of the total.

The complete Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2003 is available on the Research Infosource website, www.researchinfosource.com. The data are drawn from Statistics Canada, Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CREPUQ) and Research Infosource's own Canadian University R&D Database.

An in-depth Report profiling 68 institutions is slated for publication in November 2003. 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