Science and Research committee  I think the best outcomes will be derived by a system where each application is adjudicated on its merits. We consider what the research question is, how well it is being interrogated and whether we feel it is a great training opportunity. Those tend to be the questions we ask under the current federal funding programs.

Science and Research committee  The evaluation is about the researcher's capability to do the work. That is typically the criterion. The institution at which someone is employed is not a big driver of that. As we heard, there are excellent researchers working on, for instance, wildfire science at Thompson Rivers.

Science and Research committee  When resources are scarce, I think people will make difficult choices about where funds should be allocated. I absolutely believe Canada's competitive advantage is eroded when we don't have sufficient funding in the research funding programs.

Science and Research committee  We have big ambitions at Western. I'm a relatively new VPR. I'm struck by the research strengths that already exist and the opportunities that exist to build on those through partnership, innovation and tech transfer. One example of a priority is one that I mentioned in my comments, which was the nuclear hub.

Science and Research committee  Arielle, is this for me?

Science and Research committee  That's okay. Regarding funding, “quota” is probably not quite the right term. There is a peer-reviewed funding competition. All scholars submit applications. There are panels put together of researchers who have content matter expertise. Those researchers are from small, medium-size and large institutions.

Science and Research committee  There is a considerable administrative burden and it is not getting easier to apply for grant funding. Part of that is because we want to do better and better research, and there are more and more elements we need to consider as we do that work. Largely, what the vice-president of the research office does at an institution is to support researchers in applying for those grants, meeting the expectations of the grant funding programs and ensuring good applications go out the door.

Science and Research committee  Thank you. Hello, everyone. Thank you for inviting us to participate in today's discussion. My name in Penny Pexman, and I am the vice-president of research at Western University. In my remarks today, I will share some insights into the exciting work led by Western researchers with federal grant funding and will echo calls for further investments to strengthen the talent pipeline and catalyze Canadian research and innovation.