Canada backs genomics push with CAD $20M for 33 projects
Canada's federal government has committed CAD $20 million through Genome Canada and regional genome centres to support 33 new genomics research and development projects. The projects emphasise industry-academic partnerships across health, agriculture, clean technology and environmental monitoring.
Officials expect the funding to attract more than CAD $45 million in additional private and other public-sector co-investment. The work ranges from precision cancer care using artificial intelligence to crop research aimed at improving drought tolerance.
The announcement was made on campus at the University of Calgary, which is partnering on three of the new projects. Funding is being delivered through Genome Canada's Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) and regional streams such as Genome Alberta's program.
Health and care
A major theme in the new portfolio is the clinical and public-health use of genomic information. The national program will cover projects aimed at providing faster, more accurate diagnoses and more personalised care for cancer, rare diseases and chronic conditions.
Other projects focus on drug development and new therapies, including work on diseases that currently lack effective treatments. The program also includes ecosystem monitoring and pollution cleanup, reflecting continued interest in environmental genomics alongside healthcare.
In Alberta, Genome Alberta highlighted genomic testing to support clinical decision-making for thyroid cancer, as well as earlier detection and better public-health insight into how environmental chemical exposures affect health and disease risk.
Food and farming
Agriculture and food systems are another major cluster. Projects include research into healthier, higher-yield crops, as well as work on food safety and reducing agri-food waste.
Across Canada, genomics is increasingly used to link plant and animal traits to breeding and production decisions, and to track pathogens and contaminants through supply chains. Government-backed programs have made these approaches a policy focus as Canada seeks stronger domestic supply resilience and expanded export opportunities for food and agricultural products.
National strategy
The projects are being presented as part of the Canadian Genomics Strategy, a national framework launched in 2025. The strategy links genomics research to industrial competitiveness, with emphasis on commercialisation, data coordination and talent development.
Through the strategy, Canada has allocated CAD $175.1 million over seven years for genomics commercialisation, data coordination and talent initiatives. It has also committed CAD $96 million to support commercialisation and adoption through Genome Canada's GAPP programme.
Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, described the projects as part of a national push on science and innovation.
"We know that building Canada into the world's leading hub for science and innovation will help create the strongest economy in the G7. The projects announced today are a great example of how Canadian ingenuity is tackling some of the world's toughest problems, finding solutions, and driving real change."