Canada’s Source of R&D Intelligence
Toronto - November 4, 2004. Sponsored research income dropped by 6% at Alberta's 3 universities in fiscal 2003 according to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004 released today by Research Infosource Inc. Together these institutions received $445.8 million in 2003, down from $474.1 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 Alberta dropped 2 spots from 4th in fiscal 2002 to 6th in 2003, and posted a (-5.1%) decline in research income. The University of Calgary slipped one place from 8th to 9th and showed a (-6.9%) decline in research income. The University of Lethbridge lost 5 places from 35th to 40th, and posted a (-15.8%) drop in sponsored research income.
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 $154,500. British Columbia is 2nd with $137,500, Alberta is 3rd with $134,200, Ontario was 4th with $126,300, Manitoba is 5th at $109,600, Saskatchewan comes 6th with $91,800, Nova Scotia is 7th with $56,900, Newfoundland is 8th with $51,000, PEI is 9th with $32,800 and New Brunswick was 10th at $31,900.
"Universities with medical schools tend to attract more sponsored research income", says Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc. "Occasional drops in income are not unexpected. The timing of government grants can affect annual results. Long term trends are more important, so we'll be watching Alberta results next year."
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 XX 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