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New climate change data and knowledge mobilization hubs to maximize the impacts of genomics-based agriculture and food system innovations

Dr. Nancy Tout, Chief Scientific Officer, Global Insitute for Food Security and Knowledge Mobilization project co-lead in her greenhouse. | Nancy Tout, Ph. D., directrice scientifique de Global Insitute for Food Security et co-directrice du projet de mobilisation des connaissances dans sa serre.
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Genome Canada invests in a cutting-edge genomics research and development portfolio that supports climate change adaptation and mitigation

Genomics research is driving sustainable solutions to major global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity. As a world leader in genomics, Canada continues to invest in high-impact research, innovations and technologies that improve lives, strengthen communities and drive economic growth.

Today, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced $6.6 million in federal support for two new genomics hubs funded through Genome Canada. Provincial governments, businesses and research partners are also investing $9.2 million in co-funding, for a total investment of more than $15.8 million.

The cross-cutting data coordination and knowledge mobilization hubs announced today will maximize and amplify the impacts of the nine interdisciplinary research projects announced last fall that make up Genome Canada’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems portfolio. These projects are delivering genomics solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of Canadian agriculture and food production by supporting producers, resilient supply chains and a sustainable food system.

The Climate-Smart Data Collaboration Centre will develop a system for wide and secure data sharing across diverse networks and organizations. This initiative will include common frameworks for data exchange and sharing, open-source data processing toolkits, consensus-driven data governance structures that emphasize equitability and accessibility, and improved community data competency and literacy.

The Agricultural Genomics Action Centre will align and coordinate the knowledge mobilization strategies and activities of the portfolio to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and implementation. This will help make research findings relevant, accessible, and usable by end users to drive climate change impacts.

Quotes

“Genomics research is instrumental in responding to national and global challenges, such as climate change and food insecurity. Today’s announcement of $6.6 million in federal funding for two new genomics hubs underscores Canada’s leadership in genomics research. These hubs are critical to ensuring Canadian research remains at the forefront globally, advancing innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our food production systems.” 

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Getting genomics into the hands of those who will implement, commercialize and innovate is a key goal of our Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems portfolio. The new knowledge mobilization and data hubs will support a coordinated and collaborative approach, mobilizing the research and innovation generated by the portfolio of nine interdisciplinary projects to deliver greater collective impact for Canada in its fight against climate change.” 

– Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada

Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada

Quick facts

  • Today’s announcement of approximately $15.8 million investment in a data coordination hub and a knowledge mobilization hub includes $6.6 million in federal funding and an additional $9.2 million in co-funding from provincial governments, businesses and other research partners across Canada.
      • The Climate Smart Data Collaboration Centre represents a total investment of $11.1 million, of which $4.3 million comes from Genome Canada and $6.8 million from co-funders.
      • The Agricultural Genomics in Action Centre represents an investment of $4.7million, of which $2.3 million comes from Genome Canada and another $2.4 million from co-funders.
  • Both hubs are part of Genome Canada’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems portfolio. In September 2023, Genome Canada announced an investment of nearly $70 million in this initiative, with $27 million from Genome Canada and $42 million from co-funders for the nine interdisciplinary research teams delivering genomics solutions.
  • Since 2000, Genome Canada has invested more than $1.6 billion in 500+ projects led by a community of researchers, technology centres and cutting-edge companies working to apply genomics to our most pressing problems. This work has launched 120 startup companies, produced 514 patents and advanced the careers of nearly 7,000 trainees.

Media contact

Nicola Katz
Director, Communications
Genome Canada
Cell: 613-297-0267
nkatz@genomecanada.ca

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