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12/02/2019

A Letter of Understanding (LOU) to strengthen collaborations between UK and Canadian researchers and boost joint research through a collaborative approach to research design, funding and review has been signed by UKRI and the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC).

The LOU outlines the principles for partnership, which will focus on a bottom-up, agency-to-agency, approach to research, science, and innovation. It builds on the strong track record of collaboration between researchers in the UK and Canada and outlines important objectives and activities. These include:

• the facilitation of excellent research, innovation and training activities;
• working towards a single peer review process for joint UK-Canada projects; and,
• building links and broader partnerships with agencies and departments in Canada and the UK.

The LOU was signed by Professor Mark Thomson, representing UKRI, and Dr. Ted Hewitt, representing the CRCC, on February 12 at the official residence of Her Excellency, Mrs. Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershceque, British High Commissioner to Canada.

Professor Thomson, Executive Chair of UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council and UKRI Executive Committee member, said: “UKRI and our colleagues in Canada share a firm belief that international collaboration in research and innovation is crucial to increasing prosperity and delivering societal benefits. This letter of understanding further underlines the continuing commitment of our agencies to pursue excellent research and innovation which benefits everyone in society.”

Dr. Hewitt, President of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Chair of the CRCC, said: “Our research funding agencies strongly support this valuable collaboration with the UKRI because it strengthens Canada's capacity to engage in a rapidly evolving global research landscape and to position Canada as a global leader in research excellence and training.”

This LOU builds on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning Science, Technology and Innovation, signed on September 18, 2017 in Ottawa.