$14 million to train the next generation of biomedical researchers at McGill and the MUHC

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have just recognized the fundamental importance of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University in the international competition to achieve scientific excellence. These institutions were each awarded four grants of $1,790,000 through the CIHR's Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR). The grants will be distributed over six years and will be used to attract and train the next generation of researchers in biomedical science.

"We are extremely thankful to the CIHR for their support," said Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, Director of the Research Institute of the MUHC. "Together, these grants will help us train over 200 high-level students in different disciplines over the next 6 years. This essential assistance will ensure we can compete at an international level."

"We are extremely pleased and proud that the CIHR has chosen to support McGill and the MUHC in the important endeavour of attracting the best students in the world," said Denis Thérien, McGill's Vice-Principal of Research and International Relations. "These grants will help us maintain and expand our world-class reputation as a top research institution."

The MUHC/McGill programs that received a STIHR grant at the Research Institute of the MUHC are led by:

• Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos, Director and member of the Human Reproduction and Development Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC and Professor, McGill Department of Medicine, who has received a CIHR training grant for drug development.
• Dr. Eric Fombonne, Director of Psychiatry, Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) at the MUHC, member of the Mental Health Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC at the MCH and Professor, McGill Department of Psychiatry, who has received a CIHR training grant for autism research.
• Dr. Samuel David, member of the Neurosciences Axis, research Institute of the MUHC, and Professor, McGill Department of Neurology, who has received a CIHR training grant for the integrated training program in basic and clinical aspects of neuroinflammation
• Dr. Gilles Paradis, member of the Health Outcomes Axis, Research Institute of the MUHC, and Professor, McGill Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, who has received a CIHR training grant for transdisciplinary research in the 4Ps of public health care: promotion, prevention and public policies.

In addition to these awards, the McGill / MUHC programs that received a STIHR grant at McGill University are led by:

• Dr. Michael Hallett, Professor, McGill Department of Computer Sciences, who has received a CIHR training grant in "Integrative Approaches to Human Health."
• Dr. Carmen Loiselle, Associate Professor, McGill School of Nursing, who has received a CIHR training grant in psychosocial oncology.
• Dr. David Thomas, Professor, McGill Department of Biochemistry, who has received a CIHR training grant in chemical biology.
• Dr. Michel Tremblay, Director of McGill's Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre and Professor, McGill Department of Biochemistry, who has received a CIHR/FRSQ training grant for cancer research.

The Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR) was implemented by CIHR as a way for Canada to increase its competitiveness internationally in attracting new, bright, creative research talent and to ensure innovation and excellence in the next generation of Canadian health research training programs. Through the STIHR, individual training programs receive funding primarily targeted towards supporting research trainees through stipends. Funding for these training programs is provided by CIHR and its partners in the government, voluntary and private sectors.

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and healthcare hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the MUHC, the university health centre affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The Institute supports over 600 researchers, nearly 1,200 graduate and post-doctoral students; it also operates more than 300 laboratories devoted to a broad spectrum of fundamental and clinical research. The Research Institute operates at the forefront of knowledge, innovation and technology and is inextricably linked to the clinical programs of the MUHC, ensuring that patients benefit directly from the latest research-based knowledge.

The Research Institute of the MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec.

McGill University, founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, is Canada's leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 10 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 34,000 students. McGill attracts students from more than 160 countries around the world. Almost half of McGill students claim a first language other than English – including 6,000 francophones – with more than 6,400 international students making up almost 20 per cent of the student body.