Total reached a 9.1% increase from the last year and puts school in top 10. The University of Northern British Columbia increased its research funding for the third year in a row according to the newest edition of the Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities report, produced by Research Infosource.

UNBC’s total research income rose to $15.2 million, a 9.1 percent increase from the last year and the largest complete total since 2010. UNBC placed in the top 10 among universities in its tier in groups related to research strength and research income from not-for-profit sources. Comprehensive, UNBC finished 42nd on the national list, down one position from 2021.

UNBC is first among universities in its tier for the amount of funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, rendering to the report’s five-year summary. Between 2017 and 2021, $7.7 million, representing 12.6% of UNBC’s research revenue, came from CIHR.

“From examining the influences of weather change on glaciers to learning the transition of economies in rural communities to exploring ways to make life-changing skill available to older adults and their caregivers, UNBC researchers are making findings and sharing their knowledge on imperative topics related to our area and the world,” UNBC President Dr. Geoff Payne said. “Active research projects involve collective effort. Thank you to all the researchers, faculty, staff and community partners who make it probable for UNBC research to make a difference.”

Other research highlights over the last year include the formation of the Environmental Solutions Invention Hub, the development of the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North and the launch of the Hearts-based Education and Anticolonial Learning Medical project.

“The results of our research go well beyond the findings presented in weekly articles and books to notifying real-world change,” UNBC temporary Vice-President Research and Novelty Dr. Kathy Lewis said. “The experiences our academic students, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows gain by working with our faculty in the laboratory and out in the field prepare them with the key skills they need to prosper in the knowledge-based economy.”

This marks the fourth straight year UNBC has done first in a category in the rankings. Last year, UNBC done first in research growth from non-profit sources. Before, UNBC topped the charts in corporate-sponsored research development and complete research development.