Strategic Areas of Research

See how we have redefined our research pillars to move discovery and innovation forward to build a better world.

“With Transformation 2030, we’re taking research in a new direction. The result is four Strategic Areas of Research that tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges.”

Julie Saint-Pierre

— Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation

Overview of Strategic Areas of Research

Following an extensive consultation with our research community, we have defined our new Strategic Areas of Research based on the following themes:

Creating a sustainable environment

Canadian environment
Emerging materials and nanotechnology
Sustainable development, regulation and education
Sustainable natural systems, infrastructure, technology and energy
Synthetic biology

Advancing just societies

Democratic governance, public policy and law
Human rights, migration, equality and social justice
Arts, culture and values
La Francophonie and bilingualism
Responsible management

Shaping the digital world

Quantum and photonics technology
Law, ethics, security and policy
Digital health, digital humanities and digital entrepreneurship
Learning in a digital age
Digital technology development and applied artificial intelligence

Enabling lifelong health and wellness

Reimagined health-care systems, practice-changing research and education
Genetics and systems biology of health and disease
Brain and mental health
Vascular and cardiovascular health
Regenerative medicine and innovative therapies
Infection, immunity and inflammation

Cross-cutting themes

The following themes apply to all areas of research:

Interdisciplinarity
Knowledge mobilization, translation and transfer
International collaboration
La Francophonie and bilingualism
Indigenous knowledge

Directions and objectives

To achieve our research goals, we will:

DEMONSTRATE national and global leadership in Strategic Areas of Research.
STRENGTHEN international connections and collaboration.
EXPAND research opportunities through increased competitiveness and diverse sources of funding.
ENGAGE local, national and international communities and partners in areas of mutual interest and increase the impact of our research by promoting its uptake into policies, practices, services and products.
FOSTER AND CELEBRATE excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion in our research community and our research approaches.
SUPPORT state-of-the-art infrastructure and administrative structures to attract and retain world-class researchers and support them in their research.