Toronto - November 4, 2004 - McMaster University, University of Guelph and Trent University were named Research Universities of the Year in their respective categories by Research Infosource Inc., which today also released Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004.

For Research University of the Year, in the medical/doctoral category, McMaster University came 1st with 94 points out of a possible 100, McGill University was 2nd with 93.3, and the University of Alberta came 3rd with 90 points. The University of Guelph topped the comprehensive category with 83.7 points followed by the University of Waterloo with 78.7, and the University of Victoria rounded out the category with 61 points. In the undergraduate category, Trent University was in 1st place with 56 points, the University of Northern British Columbia came 2nd with 55.7 points, and the University of Prince Edward Island was 3rd with 49.3 points. Half the points were awarded based on financial indicators: total sponsored research income, research income per full-time faculty position, and research income per full-time graduate student. The other half was based on the number of publications per full-time faculty.

In fiscal 2003, Canada's top 50 research universities posted $4.3 billion in sponsored research income, a 12.6% increase over last year. Sponsored research income includes both government and non-government sources. The University of Toronto topped Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004 reporting $534.4 million in sponsored research income for fiscal 2003. Université de Montréal came 2nd with $394.4 million. The University of British Columbia was 3rd with $349.1 million, followed by McGill University in 4th place with $342.7 million. Université Laval rounded out the top 5 with $287.6 million. In all, 14 universities were included in Research Infosource's $100 Million Club, each attracting more than $100 million in sponsored research income in 2003.

Research intensity (sponsored research income per full-time faculty) grew by 9.7% in fiscal 2003, reaching an average of $124,300 per faculty position. Five institutions posted intensity levels in excess of $200,000 per faculty: McGill ($238,100), Université de Montréal ($217,900), McMaster ($214,500), Queen's University ($214,500), and Laval ($208,100).

The lion's share of sponsored research income at Canadian universities continued to come from government sources, accounting for 69% in 2003. Corporate sources made up 14%, while non-corporate sources (individuals, foundations, etc.) contributed 15% of the total. Investments and endowments made up the remainder.

"Government sources accounted for more than two-thirds of all sponsored research income in fiscal 2003. Contrary to the belief that corporate interests are driving university research agendas, the corporate sector's contribution is shrinking," explained Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource. "Corporate sources accounted for 15% in 2002 and dropped to 14% in 2003. While income from non-corporate sources jumped by more than 21% in 2003 and government funding increased by over 13%, corporate funding of university research grew by only 5%."

Ranking universities by sponsored research income growth for 2003, the largest gains were posted at Wilfrid Laurier University (124.3%), University of Northern British Columbia (106.4%), Université du Québec en Outaouais (87.4%), University of British Columbia (61.4%) and Saint Mary's University (56.3%). The largest declines were at Laurentian University (-29.8%), Université de Moncton (-16.8%), University of Lethbridge (-15.8%), Trent University (-11.1%) and Carleton University (-7.6%).

Looking at the regional picture for fiscal 2003, university research income grew in British Columbia (53.3%), Prince Edward Island (29.1%), Manitoba (27.3%), Newfoundland (22.5%), Québec (14.3%), Ontario (9.9%), Nova Scotia (6.8%). Income declined in Alberta (-6%), Saskatchewan (-3.6%), and New Brunswick (-1.2%).

Canada's Top 50 Research Universities 2004 and analysis 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, Canadian Science and Innovation Indicators Consortium, Institute for Scientific Information, and Research Infosource's own Canadian University R&D Database. An in-depth Report profiling 69 institutions is slated for publication in December 2004. 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, Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List, and specialized reports.

Information: Janet Sandor, Director of Communications, (416) 481-7070 ext 25
Ron Freedman, CEO, (416) 879-9000