TORONTO, April 2, 2001 -- York University Vice-President Research and Innovation Stan Shapson today welcomed the Ontario government’s announcement of a Research Performance Fund (RPF) to help universities pay the overhead costs of research commissioned by the government. The fund was announced this morning by the Hon. Jim Wilson, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology.

"We’re delighted with the news," said Shapson. "The Minister has recognized that there are both direct and indirect costs of conducting high-quality research and we’ll be asking the federal government to follow Ontario’s lead, and make the same recognition."

York University conducts research on behalf of a number of Ontario Government Ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.

"The Research Performance Fund will strengthen the research capacity of Ontario universities," said Shapson. "Our successful researchers can now devote more time to innovation and less time to concerns about facilities and administration. The RPF will make it easier to attract and retain the best university researchers."

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For more information, please contact:

Dr. Stan Shapson
Vice-President, Research and Innovation
York University
(416) 736-5479

Barney Savage
Policy and Planning Officer, Research and Innovation
York University
(416) 736-5296
YU/038/01