For immediate release

Toronto - November 4, 2004. Sponsored research income jumped by 27.3% in Manitoba, while Saskatchewan posted a drop of (-3.6%) in fiscal 2003 according to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List 2004 released today by Research Infosource Inc. This is in contrast to last year when Saskatchewan soared and Manitoba lagged. 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 Manitoba climbed two spots from 14th to 12th with a whopping 27.3% increase in sponsored research income. The University of Saskatchewan slipped from 12th to 13th with a (-3.7%) drop in research income, and the University of Regina also lost one place, moving from 27th to 28th with a (-3%) decline.

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.

"Manitoba performed strongly this year", says Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc. "Saskatchewan took a breather after digesting increased funding for the Canadian Light Source."

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