Canada’s Source of R&D Intelligence
Toronto - November 4, 2004. Four British Columbia universities increased their sponsored research income by 53.3% in fiscal 2003 according to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004 released today by Research Infosource Inc. Together these institutions received $467 million in 2003, up from $304.6 million in 2002. Overall growth for Canada's top 50 research universities was 12.6%. Sponsored research income includes both government and non-government sources. 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.
The University of Toronto topped Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004 reporting $534.4 million in sponsored research income for fiscal 2003. The University of British Columbia moved up to 3rd from 5th in 2002 with $349.1 million (61.4% increase), University of Victoria is 19th with $59.7 million (up 23.4%), up from 20th position. Simon Fraser University moved up from 23rd to 21st with $46.6 million (up 35.9%) and University of Northern British Columbia came from 42nd to 32nd with $11.7 million (increase of 106.4%).
Looking at the regional picture for fiscal 2003, Ontario's 17 universities accounted for 38% of the total, Québec with 13 institutions followed with 30%, British Columbia with 4 universities contributed 11%, Alberta's 3 institutions accounted for 10%, Saskatchewan with 2 universities on the list and Manitoba with 1, each accounted for 3%, Nova Scotia with 6 institutions came in at 2%, and New Brunswick with 2 universities and Newfoundland with 1, each accounted for 1%. Prince Edward Island with one university accounted for less than 1%. 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%), and Nova Scotia (6.8%). Income declined in Alberta (-6%), Saskatchewan (-3.6%), and New Brunswick (-1.2%).
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. Québec universities posted the highest research intensity with $154,500. British Columbia was 2nd with $137,500, Alberta was 3rd with $134,200, Ontario was 4th with $126,300, Manitoba was 5th at $109,600, Saskatchewan came 6th with $91,800, Nova Scotia was 7th with $56,900, Newfoundland was 8th with $51,000, PEI was 9th with $32,800 and New Brunswick was 10th at $31,900.
"British Columbia's universities are making significant gains," says Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc. "In fiscal 2002, B.C. universities accounted for 8% of the total top 50 sponsored research income, now they contribute 11%. In 2002, these universities posted a 15% increase in income. This year they lead the pack at an increase of over 50%."
Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 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