SNOLAB is among 17 research facilities receiving support through Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI) Major Science Initiative (MSI) fund. The MSI fund aims to secure and strengthen theses state-of-the-art national research facilities. The program enables Canadian researchers to undertake worldclass research, contribute to technology development and drive innovation.
The funding announced today will sustain scientific excellence at SNOLAB and ensure the facility maintains a leadership role in the global deep underground research community. “SNOLAB is delighted to be a recipient of operational funding through the CFI Major Science Initiative Fund”, said Dr. Nigel Smith, Director of SNOLAB.
“Coupled with support from the Province of Ontario and in-kind support from Vale, our mining hosts, the $28.6M award from CFI will secure the next three years of operational support for SNOLAB. These funds will be used to employ the 96 staff at SNOLAB and support the operations and maintenance of our world-leading facilities, allowing Canadian researchers and their international partners to undertake world-class research into astroparticle physics, nuclear and particle physics, astronomy, genomics and mining innovation.”
“This award will enable SNOLAB to maintain and develop its world-leading ability to host world-class experiments in deep underground science, and I look forward to many exciting results over the next five years” expressed Dr. Ken Peach, Chair of the SNOLAB Board of Directors.
CFI’s MSI Fund is a program that ensures Canada’s large, complex research facilities that serve communities of researchers have the support they need to continue to operate at the cutting edge. “As science becomes more complex, major science initiatives are crucial to make sure bright minds from Canada and abroad are able to explore the frontier of science and find answers to some of the most pressing issues of our time,” said Gilles Patry, President and CEO of CFI.
About SNOLAB
SNOLAB is an underground science laboratory specializing in neutrino and dark matter physics. Located 2 km below the surface in the Vale Creighton Mine located near Sudbury Ontario Canada, SNOLAB is an expansion of the existing facilities constructed for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) solar neutrino experiment. The facility is operated by the SNOLAB Institute whose member institutions are Carleton University, Laurentian University, Queen’s University, University of Alberta and Université de Montréal. For more information on SNOLAB visit the website at www.snolab.ca.
About the Canada Foundation for Innovation
For 20 years, the CFI has been giving researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. And a robust innovation system translates into jobs and new enterprises, better health, cleaner environments and, ultimately, vibrant communities. In celebration of two decades of funding research excellence across the country, the CFI is highlighting projects that show how CFI-funded research helps build communities. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada’s universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI also helps to attract and retain the world’s top talent, to train the next generation of researchers and to support world-class research that strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life for all Canadians.
For More information:
Samantha Kuula
Communications Officer, SNOLAB
Phone: (705) 692 7000 ext. 2222
Email: Samantha.Kuula@snolab.ca
www.snolab.ca
Blaire Flynn
Education and Outreach Coordinator, SNOLAB
Phone: 705 692 7000 ext. 2806
Email: Blaire.Flynn@snolab.ca
www.snolab.ca
