June 23, 2009

ONTARIO RESEARCH FUND

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

Through the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence program Round Three the McGuinty government is investing $3,665,939 to support 30 world-class researchers at the The University of Western Ontario.

The National Centre for Audiology: Developing and Advancing Hearing Technologies
Lead Institution: The University of Western Ontario
Lead Researcher: Dr. Prudence Allen
Number of Researchers Affected: 10
Provincial Funding: $2,271,530
Funding Program: Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence Program

Conservative estimates suggest that at least 10 per cent of Canadians suffer from hearing impairment, with the number growing rapidly with age. Restoring hearing (via a hearing aid or cochlear implant) works well for many, but not all, hearing-impaired listeners. The National Centre for Audiology (NCA) at The University of Western Ontario is a world renowned centre for research in hearing, hearing disorders, and hearing technologies. The NCA, working with Ontario partners in hearing technologies industries, will work to bring new technological possibilities to the hearing care sector. The proposed research will develop technologies that are capable of making sounds audible, understandable and of high quality, improve surgical success rates and make listening possible in optimal and difficult listening environments.  This project will increase Ontario’s recognition as a world leader in the hearing and communication industries, including creating a more integrated hearing technologies presence in Ontario.

Private Sector Partners: Unitron Hearing, Vivosonic, Research in Motion, Bruel & Kjaer, Phonak, Interacoustics, Medtronic Canada, Etymonic Design

Business and Policy Impacts of Economic Growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China (Western-CIGI-BRIC-Ontario Project)
Lead Institution: The University of Western Ontario
Lead Researcher: Dr. John Whalley
Number of Researchers Affected: 20
Provincial Funding: $1,394,409
Funding Program: Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence Program

In managing its economic interests, Ontario must take into account the rapid shift in global economic power and activity towards the quickly growing economies of Brazil, India, Russia and China (BRIC).  The University of Western Ontario and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) at the University of Waterloo will address issues that affect critical industries (e.g., creative industries, health, bioscience) and related policies in the four countries. Through collaborations and partnerships in Ontario and in Brazil, Russia, India and China, the project will produce major benefits for private and public sector decision-makers, including new economic analysis information, and the identification of Ontario policy and commercial opportunities.

Private Sector Partners: Centre for International Governance Innovation

Investing in research and innovation has been a cornerstone of Ontario’s economic planning since 2003 and is captured in Ontario’s Innovation Agenda. The agenda is a $3.2 billion plan to make Ontario one of the best places in the world to turn world-class research into world-class jobs.