Digital Research Infrastructure Contribution Program

Abstract

The Digital Research Infrastructure Contribution Program was launched under the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy to fund up to $375 million to one eligible not-for-profit corporation. This organization will coordinate and fund activities in advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS) to ensure that Canada's researchers have equitable access to the necessary infrastructure and tools to support research across all disciplines.

This initiative led to the creation of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance), which plays a pivotal role in enhancing Canada's digital research infrastructure. The Alliance oversees the development and integration of various data repositories and services to support Canadian researchers. The Alliance is a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada.

The Alliance collaborated with more than 90 researchers, research support professionals and partners to submit a Multi-Year Funding Proposal (MYFP) to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). The MYFP outlined a portfolio of investments that will improve and sustain critical infrastructure and support Canada’s researchers over 2023-25. ISED has approved funding of $228.3 million for critical infrastructure upgrades, service development and expansion through the following initiatives.

Overview

Country	Canada
Start date	2019
Annual Budget	€ 74M
Responsible organisation(s)	Government agency
Target group(s)	Established researchers|Higher education institutes|Students|Junior researchers|Public research institutes|Students|Students
Policy instrument type	Strategies, agendas and plans

Background

As part of the national DRI Strategy, ISED has set aside up to $375M of its five-year funding to establish a new national not-for-profit organization. The Digital Research Alliance of Canada created through this process, coordinates and funds activities in advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS) components of the DRI Strategy, working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the country.

The 2019 – 20 fiscal year was the first year of operations for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. The Alliance has an ambitious mandate — to transform how research across all academic disciplines is organized, managed, stored and used. We work with other ecosystem partners and stakeholders across the country to help provide Canadian researchers with the support they need for leading-edge research excellence, research, innovation and advancement across all disciplines.

Objective(s)

To establish a coordinated and harmonized research system that is simple, effective and geared to meet the needs of Canadian researchers and modern research priorities

To maintain and expand essential research infrastructure including ARC, RDM, and RS that is agile and responsive to the emerging needs and opportunities within the research community.

To create a research system that attracts global talent, promotes diversity and supports talent development, ensuring more researchers and students have access to the digital tools and services needed to support their research.

Public access URL

https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/digital-research-infrastructure/en/digital-research-infrastructure-contribution-program-program-guide

https://www.alliancecan.ca/

https://alliancecan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-03/2023-25%20DRI%20Investment%20Overview.pdf

All tags

• Higher education institutes
• 2019
• Strategies, agendas and plans
• Established researchers
• Canada
• Students
• Strategies for sustainable infrastructures
• Junior researchers
• Sustainable Infrastructures
• Government agency
• Public research institutes

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