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Research Support Fund

The federal Research Support Fund assists Canadian post-secondary institutions with the costs associated with managing their research enterprise. This program is helping McMaster maintain its world-class research environment.

About the Research Support Fund (RSF)

The Research Support Fund (RSF) is a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. It is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat, which is housed within SSHRC.

The program (formerly known as the Indirect Costs Program) was introduced in 2003 as part of the federal government’s strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development.

The Research Support Fund (RSF) assists Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliated research hospitals and institutes with the expenses associated with managing the research funded by the three federal research granting agencies. The RSF currently has a budget of approximately $450 million and serves more than 140 post-secondary institutions across the country.

In Fiscal 2019, the RSF introduced a new stream, the Incremental Project Grants (IPG) funding that further supports the costs of research.

In Fiscal 2023, the RSF introduced a new specific stream of the Incremental Project Grants funding specific for Research Security to further support these specific activities.

McMaster is a research-intensive University and seeks funding to assist with contributing towards the full costs of its research activities. The direct costs of its research activities include:

  • the costs that are directly connected with a specific research project, including salaries, wages and benefits of research personnel, materials and supplies, equipment, user fees, and travel expenses). of its research activities.

The indirect costs are the costs that are not directly connected with a specific project but with the research enterprise as a whole.  Examples of indirect costs of research include:

  • facilities and equipment use and maintenance;
  • utilities;
  • insurance;
  • administration costs such as legal, procurement, payroll, ethics and research administration;
  • libraries, computing facilities and support; central animal facilities;
  • biohazard handling;
  • and other professional services provided by the University.

The RSF grant can be used to:

  • maintain modern labs and equipment;
  • provide access to up-to-date knowledge resources;
  • provide research management and administrative support;
  • meet regulatory and ethical standards; or
  • transfer knowledge from academia to the private, public and not-for-profit sectors

Eligible and ineligible expenditures can be found here: RSF Eligible and Ineligible Expenses.

We report the use of RSF funds by five categories:

  • Facilities expenditures include the cost of renovating labs, salaries for technicians and the utility costs for research labs.
  • Research Resources include the cost of library acquisitions, operating costs for non-facility areas, insurance on research vehicles, etc.
  • Management and Administrative costs include expenses to provide researchers with grant writing assistance, research accounting services, promotional expenses, audit costs, etc.
  • Regulatory requirements include the costs of upgrades and upkeep of animal facilities, the management of ethics boards, the Health Physics office and other compliance type offices. 
  • Intellectual property expenses include the cost of tech transfer offices and the support of technology licensing.

Incremental Project Grant (IPG)

The objective of the IPG stream aligns with the RSF’s objective to reinforce the federal research investment by helping Canadian postsecondary institutions ensure their federally funded research projects are conducted in world-class facilities with the best equipment and administrative support available. By directing funds to specific investments and annual or multi-year projects initiated by institutions, the IPG will facilitate tracking and reporting, to better demonstrate the impact of these investments.

This new stream stems from additional funding for the RSF announced in Budget 2018, totalling $231.3 million over five years ($28.75 million in 2018-19) and $58.8 million per year after that.

The IPG will provide eligible institutions with additional support for projects that focus on a set of priorities that cut across the RSF’s five existing categories of eligible expenses. The initial four IPG priority areas are:

  • innovation and commercialization activities;
  • facilities renewal, including deferred maintenance;
  • information resources, including digital resources, open access and databases; and
  • equity, diversity and faculty renewal (in the context of equity, diversity and inclusion).

Most post-secondary Institutions in Canada receive a share of the pool of RSF funds based on their individual Institution’s three-year average of spent Tri-Council funding. Institutions that have a three year average of Tri-Council Funding greater than $7M are eligible to share in the pool of funds available for the IPG.

Incremental Project Grants – Research Security

The Government of Canada introduced new funding through the Research Support Fund (RSF) in Budget 2022 to further support the activities related to the indirect costs of research security and to support the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships.

The investments in research security will provide $125 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, and $25 million ongoing per year, in addition to the existing investments for the RSF and Incremental Grant Projects (IPGs).

Use of Research Security Funds

The funds granted to institutions should be used to build capacity to identify, assess and mitigate potential risks to research security, in support of the full implementation of the National Security Guidelines on Research Partnerships. Institutions must spend the funds in the year of the award and report on the use of these funds annually.

Research security funds can be used to support multiyear projects whose outcomes will be available only at the end of a longer period of up to three years. The application allows your institution to apply for funding for the next phase of the project, provided the institution continues to meet reporting and eligibility requirements.

Eligible Institutions for Research Security Funds

Funding for research security is for eligible institutions receiving $2 million or more in eligible RSF direct research funding. Eligibility for research security funding is assessed against this threshold each year.

Institutions with less than $2 million in eligible direct research funding are not eligible for research security funding, but continue to benefit from the current progressive RSF funding formula.

McMaster Affiliates

McMaster shares a proportionate amount of its RSF and IPG annual funding with its two respective affiliated institutions:

  • Hamilton Health Sciences
  • St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

How are the funds used at McMaster?

Calculation of grant

In 2023/24 McMaster University will receive the following amounts from the respective federal Research Support Fund programs:

  • Research Support Fund (RSF): $13,102,824
  • Incremental Project Grant (IPG): $2,586,483
  • Research Security: $1,047,119

The 2023/24 grant was calculated using data from 2021/22, 2020/21 and 2019/20. Please see the table below for a summary of McMaster’s support from the RSF, IPG and Research Security:

Fiscal Year RSF IPG Res. Security Total Federal Indirect Cost Funding Total McMaster Tri-Agency Funding Effective Research Support Fund %
2023-24 $    13,102,824 $    2,586,483 $    1,047,119 $    16,736,426 $    80,741,905 20.73%
2022-23 $    13,459,827 $    2,646,591 $    1,069,447 $    17,175,865 $    78,303,779 21.93%
2021-22 $    13,466,073 $    2,618,274 $                   – $    16,084,347 $    73,052,288 22.02%
2020-21  $    13,813,465  $    2,103,099 $                   –  $    15,916,564  $    73,197,766 21.74%
2019-20  $    13,900,412  $    1,750,103 $                   –  $    15,650,515  $    70,469,233 22.21%
2018-19  $    14,128,343  $    1,337,367 $                   –  $    15,465,710  $    70,167,132 22.04%
2017-18  $    14,047,002  $                   – $                   –  $    14,047,002  $    66,947,518 20.98%
2016-17  $    14,006,010  $                   – $                   –  $    14,006,010  $    66,138,740 21.18%
2015-16  $    12,554,534  $                   – $                   –  $    12,554,534  $    63,975,522 19.62%
2014-15  $    12,463,747  $                   – $                   –  $    12,463,747  $    62,844,316 19.83%

The total pool was $452,358,092 in 2022/23 and provided indirect costs at a rate of 21.93% of most Tri-Council projects (some specific programs do not pay research support funds and institutions are made aware of this at the application stage).

McMaster received 3.80% of the pool.

McMaster’s Use of the Research Support Fund and Incremental Project Grants

Under the current budget model, the funds are distributed among McMaster’s six Faculties: Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences, Business, Humanities and Engineering; as well as our affiliated hospitals (Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare). Each Faculty uses these resources to provide for step-down expenses such as hydro, research administration etc.

Please refer to the tables below to see how McMaster has utilized the RSF (based on reporting categories) and the IPG (based on priority areas).  Note that the tables below capture the ‘Proposal’ data for a fiscal year (current year and potentially 2nd most recent fiscal year) until the financial report is completed for that year).

Use of Research Support Fund by Reporting Categories by Fiscal Years

RSF Reporting Categories

Fiscal Year Proposal / Actual Facilities Research Resources Management and Administration Regulatory Requirements Intellectual Property Total RSF Award
2023/24 Proposal $   3,741,788 $   3,002,827 $   3,932,818 $   986,733 $   1,438,658 $   13,102,824
2022/23 Actual  $  3,825,066  $  3,634,806  $  4,006,193  $  707,108  $  1,286,654  $  13,459,827
2021/22 Actual $  3,842,442 $  3,136,778 $  3,990,701 $     1,021,411 $  1,474,741 $  13,466,073
2020/21 Actual $  4,218,935 $  3,425,387 $  3,812,596 $     911,145 $  1,445,402 $  13,813,465
2019/20 Actual $  4,093,034 $  3,698,571 $  4,256,686 $     724,522 $  1,127,598 $  13,900,412
2018/19 Actual $  5,649,893 $  3,941,845 $  3,432,258 $     628,903 $     475,444 $  14,128,343
2017/18 Actual $  5,436,071 $  1,453,244 $  5,313,328 $     903,970 $     940,389 $  14,047,002
2016/17 Actual $  7,686,110 $     379,361 $  4,052,890 $  1,669,098 $     218,551 $  14,006,010

Use of Incremental Project Grant by Priority Areas by Fiscal Years

IPG Priority Areas

 

Fiscal Year

 

Proposal / Actual

Innovation and Commercialization activities Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance Information Resources, including digital resources, open access and databases Equity, Diversity and Faculty renewal (in the context of equity, diversity and inclusion)  

Total IPG Award

2023/24

Proposal

$  243,961 $  2,342,522 $              – $              – $  2,586,483
2022/23

Actual

$  415,395 $  2,231,196 $              – $              – $  2,646,591
2021/22 Actual $  208,445  $  2,409,829 $              – $             – $  2,618,274
2020/21 Actual $  284,947  $  1,382,204 $  435,948 $             – $  2,103,099
2019/20 Actual $  410,533  $  1,339,570 $              – $             – $  1,750,103
2018/19 Actual $    43,007  $  1,294,360 $              – $             – $  1,337,367

Research Security

 

Fiscal Year

 

Proposal / Actual

Award Amount
2023/24

Proposal

$  1,047,119
2022/23

Actual

$  1,069,447

Institutional Performance Objectives

Research Support Fund

Incremental Project Grant (RSF-IPG)

Institutional Performance Objectives – Research Support Fund

2023-2024

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2023/24 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY23/24 compared to FY22/23 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY23/24 compared to FY 22/23 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures
Management & Administration of an institution’s research enterprise Portion of RSF invested to train, support and coordinate McMaster employees as Employment Equity Facilitators Advancement of departmental, Faculty and institutional employment equity priorities and goals, including the development and implementation of employment equity plans Number of trained Employment Equity Facilitators in FY23/24 compared to FY22/23 Increase the number of trained Employment Equity Facilitators
Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY23/24 compared to FY22/23 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY23-24 compared to previous year Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY23-24 compared to previous year.  

 

 

2022-2023

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2022/23 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY22/23 compared to FY21/22 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. In FY22/23 there was an increase in the NASM devoted to research compared to FY21/22.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY22/23 compared to FY 21/22 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures There was an increase in library resource expenditures in FY22/23 compared to FY21/22.
Management & Administration of an institution’s research enterprise Portion of RSF invested to train, support and coordinate McMaster employees as Employment Equity Facilitators Advancement of departmental, Faculty and institutional employment equity priorities and goals, including the development and implementation of employment equity plans Number of trained Employment Equity Facilitators in FY22/23 compared to FY21/22 Increase the number of trained Employment Equity Facilitators There was an increase in the number of trained Employment Equity Facilitators in FY22/23 compared to FY21/22.
Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY22/23 compared to FY21/22 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted MREB increased the number of training sessions conducted in FY22/23, with 19 training sessions in addition to large numbers of individual consultations on research ethics.
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY22-23 compared to previous year Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY22-23 compared to previous year. Maintained # invention and copyright disclosures:

2022/23 – 87
2021/22 – 87

Decreased commercialization / licensing revenues and decreased agreements:

2022/23 – $6.3M with 420 licenses executed

2021/22 – $7M with 461 licenses executed

Decreased Patents filed and issued:

2022/23 – 87 filed with 17 issued

2021/22 – 94 filed with 32 issued

 

2021-2022

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2021/22 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY21/22 compared to FY20/21 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. In FY21/22 there was an increase in the NASM devoted to research compared to FY20/21.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY21/22 compared to FY 20/21 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures There was an increase in library resource expenditures in FY21/22 compared to FY20/21.
Management & Administration of an institution’s research enterprise Portion of RSF invested to digitize McMaster’s grant application approval process Improvement in the means by which grant application information is shared and accessed for institutional approval Increased efficiency and easier navigation of the grant application approval process Improvement in the ease and efficiency of the grant application approval process Following consultation with the research community, designs and prototypes of the digitized application approval form have been developed and reviewed.
Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY21/22 compared to FY20/21 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted MREB maintained the number of training sessions conducted in FY21/22, with 18 large-scale training sessions in addition to large numbers of individual consultations on research ethics.
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY21-22 compared to previous year. Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY21-22 compared to previous year. Maintained # invention and copyright disclosures:

2021/22-87
2020/21-88

Increased commercialization / licensing revenues and decreased agreements:

2021/22 – $7M with 303 licenses executed

2020/21 – $4.3M with 387 licenses executed

Increased Patents filed and issued:

2021/22 – 94 filed with 23 issued

2020/21 – 86 filed with 28 issued

 

2020-2021

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2020/21 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY20/21 compared to FY19/20 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. In FY20/21 there was an increase in the NASM devoted to research compared to FY19/20.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY20/21 compared to FY 19/20 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures The level of library resource expenditures in FY20/21 increased by 8% compared to FY19/20.
Management & Administration of an institution’s research enterprise Portion of RSF invested to initiate enhancements of McMaster’s Business Intelligence tool enable the integration of research project budget information Improvement in access to and monitoring of post-award research project budget information. Increased efficiency and easier navigation of post-award research budget information for monitoring and reporting purposes. Access to additional research project budget information and reports via the Business Intelligence tool The initial steps to enable access to additional research project budget information was integrated with another project to ‘digitize’ a paper process when applying for funds. Due to COVID and re-prioritizing projects, some ofthis work has been scaled back.

In the meantime, work began to develop/improve reports, such as a ‘researcher burn rate’ report.

Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY20/21 compared to FY19/20 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted MREB maintained the number of training sessions conducted in FY20/21, with 16 large-scale training sessions in addition to large numbers of individual consultations on research ethics
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY20-21 compared to previous year Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY20-21 compared to previous year. Maintained # invention and copyright disclosures:

2020/21-88

2019/20 – 84

Decreased commercialization / licensing revenues and increased agreements:

2020/21 – $4.3M with 387 licenses executed

2020/21 – $4.6M w/ 368 licenses executed

Increased Patents filed and issued:

2020/21 – 86 filed with 28 issued

2019/20 – 72 filed with 28 issued

Increase in Funded projects with commercial potential awarded Proof of principle grants:

2020/21 – $584K

2019/20 – $373K

 

2019-2020

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator  Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2019/20 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY19-20 compared to FY 18/19 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research-intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. In FY19/20 there was an increase in the NASM devoted to research compared to FY18/19.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY19/20 compared to FY 18/19 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures The level of library resource expenditures in FY19/20 increased by 7% compared to FY18/19.
Management &
Administration of an institution’s
research enterprise
Portion of RSF invested in renewal of research and innovation website Improvement in provision of information regarding institutional administrative policies, processes and support for research and innovation activities at McMaster Increased efficiency and easier navigation of webpages pertaining to institutional administrative policies, processes and support for research and innovation activities at McMaster Successful launch of the new research and innovation website in Fall 2019 The new research and innovation website went live in December 2019.
Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY19/20 compared to FY18/19 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted MREB conducted 17 large-scale training sessions in FY19/20 compared to 16 in FY18/19. In addition, they continued to provide large numbers of individual consultations on research ethics.
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY19-20 compared to previous year. Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY19-20 compared to previous year. Maintained # invention and copyright disclosures:

2019/20 – 84

2018/19 – 88

Decreased commercialization / licensing revenues and increased agreements:

2019/20 – $4.6M with 368 licenses executed

2018/19 – $8.7M w/ 289 licenses executed

Maintained Patents filed and issued:

2019/20 – 72 filed with 28 issued

2018/19 – 85 filed with 21 issued

Decrease in Funded projects with commercial potential awarded Proof of principle grants:

2019/20 – $373K

2018/19 – $492K 

 

2018-2019

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2018/19 Yearend

Research Facilities

Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY18/19 compared to FY17/18 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. In FY18/19 there was an increase in the NASM devoted to research compared to FY17/18

Research Resources

Portion of RSF invested in support of the University libraries Maintain high level of access to digital and print library resources Library resource expenditures in FY18/19 compared to FY 16/17 Maintain high level of library resource expenditures The level of library resource expenditures has increased by more than 8% compared to FY16/17.

Management &
Administration
of an institution’s
research enterprise

Portion of RSF invested in research ethics administration system Improvement in research ethics administration system Increased efficiency and easier navigation of the ethics approval process Successful launch of the new research ethics administration system in September 2018 The new research ethics administration system was successfully launched in October 2018.

Regulatory requirements and accreditation

Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) provides ethics training on non-medical research involving human participants for members of McMaster’s research community Number of training sessions conducted in FY18/19 compared to FY17/18 Maintain the number of training sessions conducted In FY18/19 MREB training sessions were refined to provide the most convenient and effective assistance to McMaster’s research community through in-class lectures, larger workshops, and more individual consultations.

Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization

Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, number of licenses or licensing revenues, and projects supported with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY18-19 compared to FY17-18 Increase or maintain number of invention or copyright disclosures, licenses executed or licensing revenues, and funded projects with commercial potential or start-ups created; in FY18-19 compared to FY17-18 Maintained # invention and copyright disclosures: 88 (18/19) vs 94 (17/18)
Increased commercialization / licensing revenues and agreements: $8.7M with 289 licenses executed in 18/19 vs $6.4M with 232 licenses executed in 17/18
Increase in patents filed and issued: 85 filed with 21 issued in 18/19 vs 71 filed with 13 issued in 17/18
Maintained funded projects with commercial potential: Proof of principle awards $492K in 18/19 vs $534K 17/18

 

2017-2018

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator  Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2017/18 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY17-18 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research-intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. For example, new facilities in development include those which will: support research to advance our understanding of microbial biology and pathogenesis, and thereby accelerate the discovery of therapeutic leads aimed at improving human health; and enable analysis of the large volumes of administrative data routinely collected by government and business, which will inform the development of policies aimed at improving human health and social well-being.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in the RDC@McMaster.  As part of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network, RDC@McMaster  provides convenient access to confidential individual-level Statistics Canada data in a secure environment. Maintain high level of usage of RDC@McMaster Average # of researchers per month using the centre, number of projects underway, and publications reported; in FY17-18 compared to baseline in FY15-16 Maintain high level of usage of the centre In FY17/18 the McMaster RDC had 156 active researchers, including student users, working on 135 research projects; this is a significant increase from the previous year. In addition, 14 publications arose from research supported by the RDC.
Management & Administration of an institution’s research enterprise Portion of RSF invested in Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS) Increased involvement in development of large inter-institutional applications Successful submission of large scale inter-institutional applications Successful large scale inter-institutional research programs ROADS submitted a significant number of highly complex grant applications and is working to bring into operation a CFI Innovation Fund award with 30 participating institutions in support of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network
Portion of RSF invested in McMaster Research Finance and Health Research Finance offices Maintain institution’s ability to support existing research post award activity Number of active research projects in FY17-18 compared to baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active research projects The Research Support Funds allowed McMaster’s Research Finance offices to provide service and support for approximately 5100 research accounts in 2017/18.
Regulatory requirements and accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) maintains institution’s ability to support ethics compliance activities Number of active ethics certificates in FY17-18 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active research ethic certificates MREB issued 410 clearance certificates in FY17-18 (250 for new applications and 160 for amendments), an increase of 15% compared to FY15-16
McMaster’s Biosafety Committee maintains institution’s ability to meet the Human Pathogen and Toxins Act and the Canadian Biosafety Standard Number of active biosafety certificates in FY17-18 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active biosafety certificates At the end of FY 17-18 there were 220 active Biosafety certificates at McMaster, a significant increase compared to FY15-16
Intellectual property and knowledge mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, licensing revenues, and start-ups created; in FY17-18 compared to baseline FY15-16 Increase number of invention or copyright disclosures, licensing revenues, and start-ups created; in FY17-18 compared to baseline FY15-16 Disclosures = 94 (baseline 82 for 2016-17)
Licensing revenues = $7.1M (baseline $5.45M for 2016-17)
Start-ups created=2 based on university IP (baseline 2 for 2016-17)

 

2016-2017

Eligible Program expenditure category Output Performance Objective Performance Indicator  Target Outcome Outcomes Reported at 2016/17 Yearend
Research Facilities Portion of RSF invested in research facilities Maintain ability to support research facilities Net Assignable Square Metres (NASM) devoted to research in FY16-17 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of NASM devoted to research As a research intensive university, McMaster dedicates a significant amount of its space to facilitating excellence in research across a range of disciplines. For example, new facilities in development include that which will support research enabling unique and definitive advanced characterization of structures at the nano scale; and research into technologies that will integrate electricity, thermal, transportation and fuel systems into smart community energy nodes.
Research Resources Portion of RSF invested in the RDC@McMaster.  As part of the Canadian Research Data Centre Network, RDC@McMaster  provides convenient access to confidential individual-level Statistics Canada data in a secure environment. Maintain high level of usage of RDC@McMaster Average # of researchers per month using the centre, number of projects underway, and publications reported; in FY16-17 compared to baseline in FY15-16 Maintain high level of usage of the centre The McMaster RDC had on average 135 users/month in 2016/17, including student users; this is a 14% increase from the previous year.  In addition, there was an average of 82 contracts active in each month, a 12% increase from the previous year. 13 publications arose from research supported by the RDC.
Management &
Administration of Research Enterprise
Portion of RSF invested in Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS) Increased involvement in development of large inter-institutional applications Successful submission of large scale inter-institutional applications Successful large scale inter-institutional research programs ROADS submitted an unprecedented number of highly complex grant applications and helped to bring into operation 2 CFI MSI awards supporting inter-institutional research: the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy and the Canadian Research Data Centre Network
Portion of RSF invested in McMaster Research Finance and Health Research Finance offices Maintain institution’s ability to support existing research post award activity Number of active research projects in FY16-17 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active research projects The Research Support Funds allowed McMaster’s Research Finance offices to support additional research accounts in 2016/17
Portion of RSF invested to support the Research Administration Module in PeopleSoft (MOSAIC) Enhancements to Research Project Statement Automatic generation of Research Project Statements on a monthly basis with e-mail notification to award holders Go live in FY16-17 of enhancements to Research Project Statement Recent enhancements to McMaster’s MOSAIC system enabled the automatic generation of Research Project Statements
Regulatory Requirements & Accreditation Portion of RSF invested in regulatory requirements and accreditation McMaster Research Ethics Board (MREB) maintains institution’s ability to support ethics compliance activities Number of active ethics certificates in FY16-17 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active research ethic certificates MREB issued 273 clearance certificates for new applications and 123 for amendments, an increase of over 10% and 15% respectively over the previous year
McMaster’s Biosafety Committee maintains institution’s ability to meet the Human Pathogen and Toxins Act and the Canadian Biosafety Standard Number of active biosafety certificates in FY16-17 compared baseline FY15-16 Maintain high level of active biosafety certificates 166 McMaster Biosafety approvals provided for awarded projects, more than double that of the previous year
Intellectual Property & Knowledge Mobilization Portion of RSF invested in McMaster industry Liaison Office (MILO) Maintain MILO’s ability to evaluate, protect, and market intellectual property (IP) generated at the university to support commercialization; and license McMaster IP to existing or start-up companies Number of invention or copyright disclosures, licensing revenues, and start-ups created; in FY16-17 compared to baseline FY15-16 Increase number of invention or copyright disclosures, licensing revenues, and start-ups created; in FY16-17 compared to baseline FY15-16  

82 invention or copyright disclosures, including a higher number of new faculty disclosures over previous years; 184 licenses generated revenue, an 8% increase over previous year; 3 researcher-led start-ups were initiated. McMaster, through the Forge, has made student entrepreneurship a priority.  40 student-led start-ups began this year, compared to 25 the previous year

 

 

Institutional Performance Objectives –  Incremental Project Grant (RSF-IPG)

2022-2023

Project Title IPG Priority Areas Output (investment of IPG grant funds) Performance Objective Performance indicator Target Outcome Reported Outcome 
HHS-VP Research Renovations Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $0 Renovate existing space to accommodate the new VP of Research Evaluated by the number of new research projects the VP will generate Project has been funded by a different funding source. Cancelled
HHS-Research Building Upgrades Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $0 Upgrade aging infrastructure in the building

 

Decrease in deferred maintenance projects Delayed due to bidding process Delayed
HHS-David Bradley Cardiac, Vascular and Stroke Research Institute-Security System Replacement Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $0 Upgrade aging Security System Decrease in deferred maintenance projects Cancelled as transferred to new Research Security funding program Cancelled
HHS-Creation of Innovation Dept Innovation and commercialization activities $415,395 Establish a new innovation department focused on empowering patients, deploying solutions to support successful transitions to home and developing learning health systems, which integrate data analysis and clinical decision support to enhance professional practice Increase in business growth; Observed result: Revenues for this department increased by 40% vs. the prior year. In its second year of operation the team implemented its first innovation project, which equates to approximately $190K in hospital savings as well as managed to receive grants to evaluate 4 new innovative technology projects. In progress
McMaster-Emergency Power Upgrade
Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $2,032,411 Install a new 2MW gas generator at ET Clarke Building to increase power needs for McMaster University Complete installation of gas generator The new gas generator will provide essential power for the mechanical equipment in central plant (eg. pumps and boilers) and this will free up approximately 1MW of emergency power from the existing generators for campus usage and research operation In progress
St Joes-Laboratory Air Safety
Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $195,785 To replace existing, obsolete biological safety cabinets (BSC) in the laboratory with newer versions with updated technologies. 1) Decontamination of old BSC by specialists to ensure that any biohazardous agents present are inactivated.
2) Disposal of decontaminated BSC.
3) Installation of new BSC.
4) Certification of newly installed BSC to ensure it is safe to use and running at expected regulatory standards.
A total of 27 biological safety cabinets were installed in the wet laboratories over a 6 week period to minimize the disruptions to the workflow within the laboratories. All new BSCs are certified and in full use by all lab members. Achieved

2021-2022

Project Title IPG Priority Areas Output (investment of IPG grant funds) Performance Objective Performance indicator Target Outcome Reported Outcome 
Replacement of McMaster Faculty of Science Greenhouse Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $2,045,738 Replace the existing Greenhouse with state-of-the-art research facility connected to the Life Science Building (LSB) Complete installation of required Generators and Boilers required to feed the Life Sciences/Greenhouse renovation. In order to replace the Greenhouse facility, the installation of new Generators and Boilers are required.  The new Generators and Boilers is also part of the University’s initiative for a carbon free campus (net zero); ‘heat pumps’ will feed into the Life Sciences Building/Greenhouse renovation. In progress
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) – Building the CREATE Brand, Research Building Upgrades, New Research Contracts Database. Innovation and Commercialization Activities, Facilities renewal, including deferred maintenance, Information Resources, including digital resources, open access and databases $376,286 Establish a Digital Health Department to support researchers and innovators by creating a hub of expertise in data science (data integration, natural language processingmachine learning), interoperability and application development,

AND

Upgrading the airflow system in the lab of the CVSRI Building to reduce annual maintenance costs

 

Digital Health Department: Increase in business growth; Observed result-Revenues for this department have doubled from the prior year.

Airflow system: Reduction in deferred maintenance. Observed that maintenance costs have reduced by approximately 50%.

Digital Health Department: In its 3rd year of operation, the team grew by an additional 3 employees from the prior year and helped to grow their business by obtaining larger contracts vs. the prior year. This new department is helping to build the reputation of HHS as an innovator and begin to attract further business where AI and Machine learning is involved.

Airflow system: The improved airflow system for the CVSRI labs reduces the annual maintenance costs, allowing for a reduction in overall operation costs. The staff are provided with stability in the lab usage as the new system has reduced the amount of times the labs need to be closed due to the former air flow system. This helps build the reputation of faculties operating out of the CVSRI Building.

Digital Health Department:

In Progress

Airflow System:

Complete

St. Joe’s Renovations to set up a Molecular Laboratory for Diagnostic Research Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $171,508 To set up a molecular laboratory for diagnostic research by the acquisition of basic equipment and doing a number of renovations to existing work areas to minimize the risk of contamination and to comply with regulations of lab licensing and biosafety governing bodies. 1) Removal of existing bench to create space for ducted BSC hood in the “clean” area of the laboratory,
2) ducting of the hood to an exhaust system for functionality,
3) purchase of addtional BSC hoods for other designated areas of the laboratory,
4) renovation of a room in terms of ventilation and electrical needs so that thermocyclers can be moved to the designated space to separate the “dirty” work in the laboratory,
5) widening of the laboratory entrance to enable larger pieces of equipment to be moved to the laboratory,
6) repair of the flooring to laboratory grade to comply with safety issues, and
7) running ethernet cables to neighbouring laboratories to set up a means to transferring large data files from one site to another.
The widening of the door at the entrance of the laboratory has been completed. This enabled the hood that is for specific use of “clean” work to be moved in. This hood was been ducted to the exhaust system and is in full use. The laboratory has been set up so that “clean” work starts at one end of the room and “dirty” work is restricted to a newly renovated room that was adapted in terms of ventilation/electrical outlets and a secondary location. This separation of “clean” from “dirty” is a requirement by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics. BSC hoods have been purchased for various areas of the laboratory, each for specific use. Ethernet cables have been run from the main laboratory to the secondary location for additional “dirty” work. The flooring has been changed to expoxy grade which is safer and more durable from a biosafety standpoint. Achieved
St. Joe’s IRC Server replacement for the purposes of continuing to provide imaging data to a diverse group of researchers $24,742 Ensure business continuity by installing 25TBs of storage capacity, replacing obsolete equipment to facilitate ongoing and new research imaging projects. The server was successfully installed in June 2021. System configuration and testing of data archiving scripts occurred over the summer 2021. Data clean-up and migration from the old server also took place over the summer and fall, with final shutdown of the old server occurring in November 2021. The new 25TB server has allowed the Imaging Research Centre to continue to provide access to research data generated on the facilites’ MRI scanner. Custom automated software to archive MRI data was developed implemented to ensure daily backup of all data to the server. The server is configured as a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system to allow for data recovery in the case of a drive failure. While not intended as a long-term storage server, this server does provide important data storage and protection over the medium term for the large number of users of the Imaging Research Centre MRI scanner. Data processing and transfer rates show marked improvement over the old server. The increase in total storage has also augmented data processing capabilities for our users (e.g. by being able to download large publicly available image datasets). System administration tasks are similarly improved as the new server will support the latest server administration software tools. The up-to-date hardware and software also allow for important software updates to be installed to ensure data and system security, which is vitally important as this server is connected to the hospital IT infrastructure. Achieved

2020-2021

Project Title IPG Priority Areas Output (investment of IPG grant funds) Performance Objective Performance indicator Target Outcome Reported Outcome 
Liquid Handling Robotics Upgrade Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $158,462 To add component parts to robotic systems to develop protocols and workflow procedures that will allow increased testing capacity of specimens for the diagnostics of SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) Indicator: Number of specimens tested via automation versus manual extraction/PCR testing. The addition of new components on the robotic systems, including heating/cooling plates and 96 well heads, have allowed the robotics to be programmed to both extract swab specimens for its nucleic acid and set up PCR testing to a performance level equivalent to manual testing. The simplified scripts developed on the robotics allows quicker turn-around times, enabling higher throughput with less labour required. To extract 100 specimens manually would take one individual 6 to 8 hours versus just over an hour via the robotics. The developed robotics protocols have been implemented in a 2 clinical diagnostics laboratories during the last year. Their testing capacity has increased from 800 to over 2000 per day. Achieved
Animal Research Ethics Board (AREB)/ Animal Use Protocol (AUP) Database Information resources, including digital resources, open access and databases $0 Replace McMaster Animal Research Ethics Board (AREB) 25 year old system where associated data is manual with storage of PDF documents in a cloud database. This system must be replaced. Improved efficiencies, less time to review, ability to generate reports and reduce errors. The purchase of the new system was delayed due to COVID and the process required to select the appropriate product and vendor.

The system to be purchased will allow us to:
1.  recreate all of our documents into an easily editable interface which thereby minimizes change.
2.  offer a unique search function that incorporates the use of key words which would allow access to specific information quickly
3.  synthesizes amendments to the original document, reducing the need to search through dozens of PDFs to make sense of how the protocol has changed over time
4.  advanced colour-based tracking of edits in the review process allows for easy comparison of versions over time and ensures requested revisions are properly made before approval.
5.  provides a training database within the program to identify users who have or lack training aspects required for their protocol and eliminates the need to cross-reference this information separately.
6.  Reports can be easily generated and configured to what will be required by the applicable regulatory bodies and are not limited to what the company offers as a default. This complements nicely with the ability to also track animal census information within the program rather than needing to use a separate one.

Delayed
Central Animal Facility – CAF Bottle Washer Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $200,548 Bottle washer: high throughput industrial washer to replace the aging unit required to process research equipment and meet current guidelines and standards Replace aging and inefficient bottle washer to efficiently  and effectively clean equipment required for animal care. The bottle washer was successfully replaced and is more effciently and effectively cleaning the equipment required to provide an optimal micro-environment for the animals, thus better quality research.
Animal Facility Ventilated Racks Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $174,150 Vent racks: HEPA filtered rodent caging system that meets current guidelines and standards and replaces outdated cages Replace outdated conventional rodent caging system to meet current guidelines. Ventilated racks provide individual air flow to each cage thus creating an optimal micro-environment for the animals and better quality research. They also reduce the frequency of caging; therefore, are less labour-intensive and create less handling stress to the rodents. Achieved
Xray – EIGER2 R 500K Detector. Replacement detector for Co instrument. Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $158,659  Purchase a new X-ray detector for the MAX Diffraction Core Facility. The facility supports the research of investigators from at least three Faculties and external clients. 1. Purchase and install new detector
2. Resume XRD characterizations for Academic and Commercial researchers
3. Show improvement in data quality
4. Enable new types of experiments not possible with the original detector
5. Software updates to improve quality and efficiency of analyses
6. Resume training of graduate and undergraduate students
1.  The detector has made a huge difference in the operations of the Facility. High dynamic range and sensitivity, zero background noise, more precise alignment, and more efficient scanning algorithms allows us to now collect better quality data more efficiently.  There is an improvement in signal to noise and line shape.
2. New and improved experiments are now possible unavailable with the previous technology.
3. The new software bundled with the detector allows us to set up experiments with more precision. Other programs perform some analyses, such as the determination of texture and orientation distribution functions,  in a fraction of the time previously required.
4. As we begin to train students again, we are finding that the students are very excited about the capabilities of the ‘new’ instrument.
Achieved
McMaster Research Services Forms Digitization Project Information resources, including digital resources, open access and databases $336,425 Digitize and centralize the current internal administrative approval processes that must accompany grant applications at McMaster.

Integrate the Funding Opportunities Database (FOD) with the centralized, digitized grant approval platform to streamline the internal administrative processes.

Validate the technical / business requirements and digitize complex grant approval processes across Faculties.

Design the FOD dashboard as the first landing page of the grant approval platform that end users will see.

Key stakeholders at different levels of the institution have been identified. All have participated in engagement activities to ensure that their requirements were incorporated into the design and implementation of the new platform. Business requirements were then iteratively validated with them to ensure their needs were properly captured.

The different administrative approval forms have been amalgamated into a single master form. This is currently being implemented in the new platform.

Design of the FOD dashboard is currently undergoing User Acceptance Testing

In progress
MacLims-Research Facility Software Information resources, including digital resources, open access and databases $204,498 Target specific areas of enhancements and/or modifications on the MacLIMS platform to align with the unique needs of each research facility Continue development of additional feature additions, such as:

  • Dashboard enhancements
  • MacID integration
  • Invoice functions
  • API calls for financial systems integration
  • Data reporting capabilities
Interface elements were enhanced regularly throughout the period as a result of feedback received from users within the facilities. Projects are ongoing to integrate MacLIMS with central campus systems for authentication, invoicing, information sharing, and reporting purposes. In progress
Lab Infrastructure Upgrades – O’Byrne Lab Renovation Facilities Renewal, including deferred maintenance $585,410 Renovate approximately 5000 square feet on the 3rd Floor of the Health Sciences  to bring wet and dry lab space up to current standards for HVAC and Health & Safety Requirements Completion of updated HVAC and renovation of 3rd Floor The completion of the renovated space has allowed our researchers to advance their research in asthma and respiratory illnesses allowing us to build and attract quality HQP and ensuring that we have safe and compliant facilities to enhance our world class researchers. Achieved
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) – Building the CREATE Brand, Research Building Upgrades, New Research Contracts Database. Innovation and Commercialization Activities $284,947 Establish a Digital Health department to support researchers and innovators by creating a hub of expertise in data science (data integration, natural language processing, machine learning), interoperability and application development. Increase in business growth;

Observed result: New service contracts entered into increased to 8 vs. 1 in the prior year.

In its second year of operation the team grew by an additional 4 employees from the prior year and helped to grow their business by increasing the number of contracts they acquired by 7 over the year prior. This new department is helping to build the reputation of HHS as an innovator and begin to attract further business where AI and Machine learning is involved. In progress

2019-2020

2019/2020 Projects Project Status
Project ID
(RSF # – Year – project #)
Project Name Objective(s) Indicator(s) Actual results/outcomes/impacts
(Or rationale for delay/cancellation)
Achieved
In progress Delayed Cancelled
0033-2020-01 Lab Infrastructure Upgrades – Controlled Environment Room Replacement Replace 18 walk in cold rooms with 18 new stainless steel controlled environment rooms. Replace 18 walk in cold rooms with 18 new stainless steel controlled environment rooms. The cold rooms were successfully replaced and have been well utilized in supporting many researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences. X
0033-2020-02 Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (AMC) – Relocation of the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) from the John Hodgins Engineering building (JI-IE) to McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) Relocate to expand MMRI Research Facilities. Access to newly renovated space at MIP. This project has started but things have not progressed as much as anticipated.  The following was achieved in 19/20:

  • Architectural Design finalized Jan 2020
  • Feb 2020 electrical plan prepared
  • in the process of applying for a build permit from the City of Hamilton
X
0033-2020-03 The Clinic at St. Joe’s Create enablers of health entrepreneurship, innovation, and commercialization through working with students, researchers, health professionals, and the broader community to build a pipeline of socially and economically impactful health innovations. Indicator: Increased entrepreneurial education, mentoring, inter-professional collaboration, specialized resources, facilitating and expediting development of innovative projects relating to human health, and relevant connections. We have created the space (both virtual and physical) to be the learning hub for educational activities and entrepreneurial training and commercialization in health innovation. We focus on problem sourcing, needs assessment, and team creation to develop solutions specifically for healthcare. Clinic Coaches and Mentors work with teams to set the milestones needed to keep projects moving forward in the path towards commercialization. The clinic has enabled expansion of research and development capacity – in students, faculty and staff – in diverse fields including: rapid idea validation, innovation valuation, market research and sizing, developing user personas, strategic analysis and frameworks, patent searches, financial management and budgeting for health startups, commercialization plans, creating demand for innovation, strengths mixing and performance management, research ethics, legal agreements, incorporation, regulatory environments, customer acquisition, hospital procurement processes. X
0033-2020-04 Digital Health Department creation, Research building upgrades, New Research only A/P system Establish a Digital Health department to support researchers and innovators by creating a hub of expertise in data science (data integration, natural language processing, machine learning), interoperability and application development. Indicator: Acquisition of expertise and technology; Observed result: Hired seven professionals and acquired 1 GPU server. A seven person team was created and immediately began work on marketing their digital health expertise. Before the end of the year they had secured their first contract and had already submitted proposals for many more. The new department will only help build the reputation of HHS as an innovator and begin to attract further business where AI and Machine learning is involved. X
0033-2020-05 Renovations to the Animal Research Facility in the Life Science Building Create upgraded facilities for expanding animal research programs and create more sustainable tanks for fish with installation of recirculating water tanks. Complete Renovations  to bring aging facilities up to the regulatory requirements of OMAFRA and the CCAC.

There will also other expenses to meet OMAFRA and CCAC requirements as we complete the renovations.

Fish tanks ordered and rooms prepared for installation. Enclosed ceiling for fish tanks installed and completed.  Work had begun on this project in F19 and have been finished in F21, hence the reason for reduced costs applied in F20. X
0033-2020-06 Replacement of McMaster Faculty of Science Greenhouse Replace the existing Greenhouse with state-of-the-art research facility (total project costs estimated $18M). Complete first year design consultations and scope description. Feasibility study for project completed. The project was then delayed because of the opportunity to adjoin the Greenhouse project with the renovations to the Entrance of the Life Sciences Building, a long needed improvement to an aging building that will reduce deferred maintenance projects.  The budget approvals have been received and work started on RFP for architect.  The expectation is that this project would have been further along, hence we have fewer costs as of the end of March 31, 2020. X
0033-2020-07 Collaborative research project: Extraction, standardization and digitization of unstructured medical record information Capitalize on existing digital resources and advances in digital technology to automate extraction and standardization of unstructured medical information; interface medical data with research databases; and, lead in the use of ‘big data’ to guide clinical and research directions through meaningful real-world evidence and lifesaving insights. Unstructured data sources are transformed into ‘row and column’ data sets that can be easily integrated and leveraged for multiple uses such as diagnosis analytics, quality improvement initiatives, clinical trials, research projects,  and predictive applications. The first phase of this work has identified and stratified the desired output for of the data. In the next phase we will work with our IT department to begin the transformation of the free-form data, before scrutinising the outputs for novel clinical insights. This work is ongoing. As expected, although COVID-19 has slowed progression somewhat. X
0033-2019-08 Infection Disease Research Project (previously reported in 18/19 as Project # 0001-2018-004) Create 5000 square feet of new wet and dry lab space to support research. Create 5000 square feet of new wet and dry lab space to support research. New lab space was created that included benching, collaborative trainee space, a new cryo-EM facility and X-ray lab, and a new cold room to support multiple researchers. X

 

2018-2019

2018/2019 Projects Project Status
Project ID
(RSF # – Year – project #)
Project Name Objective(s) Indicator(s) Actual results/outcomes/impacts
(Or rationale for delay/cancellation)
Achieved
In progress Delayed Cancelled
0001-2018-001 Renewal of project laboratories and work spaces for mechanical engineering student and postdoctoral research Reconfiguration of machinery layout and Redesigned Graduate Student Space. Safe Work Environment for machinery and support larger cohort of graduate students. Safe Work Environment for machinery and support larger cohort of graduate students. X
0001-2018-002 West 5th Wet Lab Expand our ability to conduct biological research in clinical neuroscience and establish a centre to conduct such. The retention and increase of faculty members and increased publications, collaborations, and research activity. Observed result: retention of prominent faculty member, increased research activity, and forged international collaboration. The center was established and allowed for closer collaboration with the Pasteur Institute in Europe.

https://research.stjoes.ca/news-events/news/~1668-Bienvenue-St-Joe-s-Neuroscience-Researchers-Hosting-International-Symposium-including-French-Delegation

X
0001-2018-003 Charlton Wet Laboratory Service and Maintenance Maintenance and service of existing laboratory equipment extending its useful life and ensuring safety and compliance. Indicator – Shared equipment lifespan, purchasing new equipment. Providing improved facility quality to our research community, including microtome, FACS Canto, allowing new avenues of state of the art research. X
0001-2018-004 Infection Disease Research Project Create 5000 square feet of new wet and dry lab space to support research. Create 5000 square feet of new wet and dry lab space to support research. New lab space is being created that included benching, collaborative trainee space, a new cryo-EM facility and X-ray lab, and a new cold room to support multiple researchers. X
0001-2018-005 Maintenance of information resources and expansion of digital security Maintain our digital security above minimum standards for the housing, processing and presentation of clinical research. Equipment is within warranty and meets/exceeds minimum security standards for research data allowing compliance with the law now and into the future. Purchased 3 new servers and installed them to house data in a secure manner compliant with digital security measures. We brought in-house a number of functions that we previously had outsourced including graphic design. X
0001-2018-006 Clinical Research Laboratory and Biobank (CRLB) Renovation Reconfigure and upgrade the Biobank’s lab space to be a safer environment and allow room for expansion into the future. Indicator: Reduction in operating costs; Observed result: Reduced space occupied by 38% after the renovation/ reconfiguration resulting in a 38% savings in occupancy costs. The reconfiguration in the Biobank lab area resulted in a significant savings in operating costs for the area. It also allowed the nitrogen and fire suppression system to be upgraded, this upgrade provided reassurance to the employees that safety is top priority. The reconfiguration also allowed for the expansion of futures tanks to increase the capacity of samples to be stored should the need be required. X