The Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) has recently been integrated within the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQ-S) Program for Research Centres and Institutes. Thanks to its reputation as a renowned world-class community of researchers committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients through scientific excellence, the GCI is now one of 23 centres and institutes funded by the FRQ-S.
Reflecting on the news, Cindy L. Bell, PhD, Chair of the GCI Scientific Advisory Board, shared her excitement, saying, “This designation recognizes the GCI’s impact on the Québec cancer research landscape and nurtures the development of collaborative efforts that will pave the way for future scientific innovation and discoveries.”
Lesley Fellows, MDCM, DPhil, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill adds that the designation, “is a testament to the tremendous quality of the members of the GCI. Cancer continues to be one of the greatest challenges for human health and remains an area of strategic priority for our Faculty. This additional funding will help the GCI continue the important work that they and their collaborators are pursuing to further discovery in this critical field.”
In addition to the designation, the GCI will receive nearly $900,000 dollars in funding over the next four years, with the possibility of renewal, marking an expansion of opportunities for its community of researchers, staff scientists and trainees. “This funding was made possible through the scientific rigour of our GCI community and serves as a reminder of our creativity, collaborative spirit and commitment to scientific excellence,” says Professor Morag Park, PhD, Director of the GCI.
FRQ-S funded research centres and institutes serve as catalysts for cutting-edge research, provide training environments for graduate students, and serve as platforms for transferring knowledge and technology to the healthcare sector.
The financial commitment stems from the 2022-2027 Québec Research and Innovation Investment Strategy, which supports the initiatives of the Fonds de recherche du Québec and strives to promote synergy in the research ecosystem. Thanks to its impressive track record of provincial, national, and international collaborations, the GCI is well-placed to help position Québec as a global leader in cancer research.
“We wish to extend our gratitude to the FRQ-S for their support and look forward to continuing our mission to understand what drives cancer in order to better prevent, diagnose and treat the disease,” says Trina Johnson, PhD, Deputy Director of the GCI.