Research + Innovation Plan 2024-2027

Read our plan

As established by Ahead of Tomorrow, the goal of the University of Calgary is to maximize research impact, and we will do this by harnessing the power of research and innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges.

Three objectives have been set for 2030 in Ahead of Tomorrow:

Become #1 University in U15, research revenue per scholar.
Grow external research revenue to $750M a year.
Grow our position as Canada’s #1 creator of start-ups to the top 50 start-up creators in the world.

The 2024-2027 Research and Innovation Plan addresses the research and innovation strategy for Ahead of Tomorrow. Activities and initiatives in this plan are integrated with approaches described in the Academic Plan, Community Engagement Plan, and Operations Plan.

As with all University activity, the Research and Innovation Plan should be considered and interpreted through our foundational commitments to: Equity Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility; Indigenous Engagement; Mental Health; Global Engagement; and Sustainability.

Read our Ahead of Tomorrow Strategic Plan

Progress towards objectives will be measured in the following ways:

Research Revenue Per Scholar in U15

These data are available annually through the standardized reporting that universities provide to the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO). This is a robust and explicit indicator.

Research Revenue

Similarly, these data are available through CAUBO, with standardized reporting criteria for all Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Top 50 Start-Up Creators in the world

Data from the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) is used for tracking UCalgary’s ranking within Canada for start-up company creation. To begin tracking UCalgary’s performance and ranking internationally, we will acquire data from PitchBook and track progress against international comparators.

UCalgary has created new research support teams for international partnerships, non-traditional funding programs, and industry partnerships. To track progress in these specific areas, we will gather information on additional key performance indicators aligned with these new programs, as elements of the Research and Innovation Plan (2024–2027):

Annual Research Revenue from Industry Partnerships
Annual Research Revenue from International Partnerships
Annual Research Revenue from non-traditional Canadian funding sources (ie. outside of tri-council funding opportunities)

As a major research university, the University of Calgary’s research enterprise is multi-faceted and complex with many initiatives that support it. The Office of the Vice-President (Research) has identified five domains of activity that support and advance this research enterprise.

1.1 Expand capacity in faculty level hires

Fostering research and innovation by attracting top talent for cutting-edge research programs.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

1.2 Support and enhance future rounds of the Postdoctoral Match-Funding Program

Attracting exceptional early-career researchers for formative postdoctoral training at UCalgary.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

1.3 Create a new Visiting Scholars Program

Strengthening global networks and partnerships, elevating the university’s international reputation and outreach.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

1.4 Strengthen connection of undergraduate students to the research ecosystem

Enriching the undergraduate experience with hands-on research, fostering critical thinking and empowering students with real-world research skills.
Ahead of Tomorrow 1.A, 1.C, 2.A, 2.B

1.5 Expand University partnerships to create opportunities for students and postdocs to engage with community and industry partners

Forging linkages between academia and community, equipping research trainees at all levels with invaluable networks and experiences to elevate their career readiness.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 3.A, 3.B

1.6 Expand integrated learning opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars

Attracting local, national, international students and postdoctoral scholars, growing our economy, our province and country, and our reputation.
Ahead of Tomorrow 1.A, 1.C, 2.A, 2.B, 3.B

1.7 Enhance institutional EDIA capacity and literacy for research

Fostering a research ecosystem where diversity is understood and celebrated, thus broadening the relevance, reach, and impact of UCalgary research and scholarship.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B

1.8 Advance Indigenous Engagement and Truth and Reconciliation

Enriching the academic landscape by embracing Indigenous wisdom, traditions, and methodologies to enhance ethical Indigenous research and engagement to foster parallel paths in scholarship with guidance from, and in partnership with, Indigenous Elders, advisors, and communities.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B

2.1 Activating the entire campus community in opportunities for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and scholarship

Cultivating a spirit of problem-solving and community engagement, positioning UCalgary at the forefront of addressing global challenges through transdisciplinary approaches.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 3.A, 3.B, 3.C

2.2 Provide continued strategic investment in new and existing research support units

Solidifying UCalgary’s competitive edge locally, provincially, nationally, and internationally through the provision of outstanding research support programs.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 3.A

2.3 Establish internal seed funding mechanisms

Positioning UCalgary scholars to move forward as strong applicants for external funding awards.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

2.4 Advocate for investments in the research ecosystem

Ensuring our government and community funding partners understand the importance and value of investing in research funding programs.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 3.A., 3.B, 3.C

2.5 Enhance opportunities for everyone at UCalgary to access research and scholarship award opportunities

Elevating the reputation of our scholars, and by extension, UCalgary.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B

3.1 Commitment to user experience and satisfaction

Supporting and rewarding our scholars with the creation of better and faster processes.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 4.A, 4.C

4.1 Provide UCalgary educational opportunities on research impact using validated and replicable frameworks

Equipping UCalgary scholars with robust tools to objectively measure and articulate the societal impact of their work to funders and other interested parties.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 4.B

4.2 Implement campus-wide RIA reporting across all research units, centres, and institutes

Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to meaningful reporting on research impact.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B

4.3 Advance DORA principles in all evaluations of UCalgary professoriate and their diverse contributions

Embracing the variety of outputs that research and scholarship initiatives can produce, and recognizing and rewarding the diverse impacts that our people deliver. This work will be done in conjunction with the Academic Plan.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

4.4 Launch a new campus wide UCalgary Open Science initiative.

Making scientific research processes and outputs broadly accessible for the benefit of scientists and society as a whole, and to make UCalgary scholarship more transparent, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B

5.1 Create programming to support innovation and raise ambition within the university

Accelerating translation of UCalgary research and scholarship to produce tangible community benefits—driving economic, social, and technological advancements for Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and the world.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

5.2 Triple the size of the UCeed venture funds

Increasing venture funding to boost UCalgary start-up companies toward success and meaningful impact. This will be done in conjunction with the Community Plan.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 3.A

5.3 Bolster Innovate Calgary, UCalgary’s tech transfer corporation, advancing its programs and hubs for 2030 targets

Establishing Innovate Calgary as Canada’s leading University technology transfer entity.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 3.A

5.4 Develop the University Innovation Quarter (UIQ) adjacent to the UCalgary campus

Develop UIQ to catalyze Calgary’s knowledge economy, fueled by research-driven start-up companies, high-tech industry partners, and economic development activities. Creating a vibrant innovation district as a dynamic focal point for creativity, ambition, and enterprise, reshaping the regions adjacent to the University and enhancing Calgary’s knowledge economy.
Ahead of Tomorrow 2.A, 2.B, 2.C

UCalgary is committing resources, developing capacity, and enabling collaboration across our campuses and communities, continuing our tradition of multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary paradigms, all built on a foundation of disciplinary excellence.

The UCalgary community identified five Transdisciplinary areas of focus in the 2021 Framework for Growth. These areas of focus draw on the disciplinary excellence within faculties, and build on these by connecting scholars in collaborative research that transcends disciplinary boundaries.

Learn more on the Institutes of Transdisciplinary Scholarship webpage

Cities and Societies

Will study how to design, plan, and build sustainable, equitable and healthy communities where all members of society can thrive. This area will consider themes including smart cities and the role of technology, transportation and infrastructure, biodiversity, healthy cities, and populations, and designing for diversity and inclusivity.

Digital Worlds

Will examine how we can use data to expand and create connections to inform a world with no boundaries. This area will look at how we can harness new technologies and consider themes of extended reality, human connection and enrichment, intelligent tools, security, ethics, regulations and law, and socio-culture transformation.

Health and Life

Will build upon UCalgary’s strong network of existing health research institutes, biomedical engineering, kinesiology, and life sciences programs to increase collaborations and knowledge sharing to tackle critical issues in child health and wellness, cancer, inflammatory chronic diseases, brain and mental health, cardiovascular, bone and joint, and public health. The area of focus will also encompass the broader themes of biodiversity and One Health, with a focus on the interplay of environment, animal, and human health.

Energy Futures

Will examine the evolving energy system and the technological, economic, social, and political opportunities and challenges it presents. This area will consider themes of climate and environment, energy use and sources, politics and policy, economics, and the socio-cultural role of energy.

Democracy, Justice, and Sustainability

This horizontal thematic, intersecting with the four others, will examine how we can transform our institutions, governments, societies, and spaces to be equitable, inclusive and diverse. This area will consider themes including justice, democracy, freedom and autonomy, pluralism, anti-racism and decolonization, all considered through the lens of sustainability and the UN’s sustainable development goals.