Backgrounder

August 28, 2008

EARLY RESEARCHER AWARD PROGRAM

Through the Early Researcher Award program, the McGuinty government is helping promising, recently appointed Ontario researchers undertake cutting-edge research and build their research teams of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research associates. Researchers each receive a $140,000 award through the program.

Lakehead University

Dr. Han Chen Managing the Diversity of Ontario’s Forests   Sustainable management of boreal mixed-wood forests is crucial for long-term ecosystem health and the forestry economy in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. How can forest management improve forest productivity and simultaneously enhance biological diversity and carbon uptake? This is the focus of Dr. Han Chen’s research at Lakehead University. Answering these questions will help us develop more innovative strategies to manage Ontario’s boreal forest in a changing environment.

Early Researcher Award

The Early Researcher Award program is a $51-million, five-year initiative. This program is a key component of the province's research and innovation strategy, which aims to strengthen Ontario's economic advantage by helping to attract, retain and develop the best and brightest researchers.

Each award to a leading researcher is a maximum of $100,000 and must be matched by an additional $50,000 from the researcher’s institution and/or a private sector partner. In addition, up to $40,000 in indirect costs is provided to the institution. The award must be used to cover the eligible expenses of graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research associates, including:

• Salaries and benefits
• Travel and expenses related to conferences, workshops or seminars
• Travel and expenses related directly to offsite research activities.

For more information about the Early Researcher Award, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.