Abstract:
The panel will examine how Canada’s research infrastructure ecosystem could evolve by providing a comparison to collaborative European initiatives, such as United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Contrasting Canada’s decentralized federal-provincial-academic dynamics with Europe’s harmonized, cross-border coordination and pan-European roadmap, the discussion will focus on reducing jurisdictional barriers and promoting impactful co-investment. Panelists will explore the adoption of European practices such as open-access facilities, researcher mobility, and shared resources to enhance Canadian R&D capacity. The session will also consider the benefits of developing a national strategic infrastructure roadmap to strengthen Canada’s research sovereignty, innovation networks, and global competitiveness.

Summary of Conversations

The discussion explored transforming Canada’s research infrastructure (RI) landscape by drawing lessons from Europe, including from research infrastructure initiatives such as ESFRI and UKRI. The current RI landscape in Canada is somewhat fragmented and lacking coordination, and could benefit from intentional collaboration. A model, such as UKRI, was presented as being effective, enabling a collaborative, long-term strategic approach to planning and funding across all disciplines, including research infrastructure. The importance of strategic roadmapping, co-investment, open access, and international collaboration was emphasized. Canada’s decentralized, federal-provincial dynamics were noted, with the need for better alignment of priorities and cooperation over competition. The value of RIs in driving research security, innovation, and science diplomacy was also highlighted.

Take Away Messages/Current Status of Challenges

• Canada’s research infrastructure landscape is currently fragmented and suffers from a lack of coordination across various organizations and sectors.
• Decentralized funding, governance, and priorities among the federal government, provinces, territories, and various sectors can be a challenge.
• Funding mechanisms and funding stability can be a challenge, especially for long-term planning and funding for large, multi-year infrastructures.
• A challenge for research infrastructures is balancing long-term strategic priorities with the need to be agile and responsive to unexpected or societal challenges, such as those that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Canada’s research infrastructure landscape currently lacks a clear vision, strategy, or roadmap to guide research infrastructure investments and planning.

Recommendations/Next Steps

• Develop a National Research Infrastructure Roadmap or Strategy aligned with a clear national vision and objectives to ensure coordinated, strategic investment and planning of research infrastructure.
• Explore longer-term and stable funding approaches for research infrastructures.
• Strengthen international, inter-provincial and intersectoral collaboration to leverage resources, avoid unnecessary competition and duplication, and maximize the impact of investments.
• Employ a life cycle and portfolio approach when planning and investing in RIs.