In 2024–25, the 樱花影视 proved it’s a leader in research and innovation. Researchers tackled big challenges—from groundbreaking discoveries in health and climate science to leadership in Indigenous scholarship and new technology innovation. The work of UVic researchers is helping build a more connected and sustainable future.
This year has been pivotal for research at UVic. The momentum from recent transformational investments has accelerated progress across our research enterprise. With new partnerships, emerging technologies, and deeper community engagement, our researchers are driving change with purpose, creativity and impact.
Gathering Momentum
UVic made big progress in 2024/25, receiving a total of $199 million in research funding over the course of the year. This puts us close to achieving our Aspiration 2030 funding target five years ahead of schedule.
This achievement is the result of a shared effort. It reflects 852 new funding awards or contracts and over 200 awards from Canada’s federal research agencies.
Combined with other major research investments in recent years, such as the $84 million award for the Accelerating Community Energy Transformations (ACET) project and a $115 million award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), an impressive array of new awards will help ensure that UVic remains a leader in Canadian research and home to some of the country’s most innovative facilities and projects.
in research income 2024鈥�25
+19%in research funding awarded since 2020
new awards and contracts
grant applications supported
+8%UVic researchers continue to make great strides in their fields—whether they’re , exploring how planets form, or to better understand mental health.
Breaking new frontiers in climate research
UVic’s climate research got a major boost in May 2024, when two research teams received almost $4 million from Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund. Geographer Maycira Costa will use $2.5 million to create satellite tools for tracking and collecting Sargassum seaweed blooms. Another team, led by geographer Randall Scharien, received $1.5 million to improve sea-ice maps that help Inuit communities travel safely in the Arctic. These projects support environmental monitoring and offer practical solutions shaped by local knowledge, showing UVic’s strong leadership in climate action.
Taking cloud computing to the next level
In June 2024, UVic received $16.4 million in support from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Province of B.C. to upgrade its Arbutus Cloud system. This powerful computing tool, run by UVic’s Research Computing Services team, helps scientists handle huge amounts of data quickly and easily. It’s thousands of times faster than a regular computer and supports over 1,000 research teams across Canada, along with more than three millions users around the world.
A rock-solid climate solution
In March 2025, UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada received $24 million over six years from the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund to support Solid Carbon, a project that turns atmospheric carbon dioxide into rock under the ocean near Vancouver Island. This method is seen as one of the most promising ways to remove carbon and fight climate change.
Working together
UVic’s research is deeply connected to communities and focused on solving real-world problems. Guided by the Aspiration 2030 strategy, UVic aims to make a meaningful impact and commits to using research for social good.
policy citations
partnerships to advance UN Sustainable Development Goals
in North America for international research collaboration
Leiden Ranking 2024
Innovating for improved community health
UVic’s Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR) is working with Island Health to test using drones to deliver medical supplies to remote areas of Vancouver Island. In February 2025, a six-bladed drone successfully carried a sample medical package in the Comox Valley. The test showed how drones could help bring much needed medical supplies to places often cut off by ferry delays. This project hopes to make it easier and more reliable to send important items like medicine, lab samples, and blood. If successful, it could change how medical supplies are delivered on Vancouver Island.
A new centre for Indigenous art and research takes shape
The Taqsiqtuut Research-Creation Lab opened in February 2025 – a project led by Heather Igloliorte, UVic’s first Canada Excellence Research Chair in Indigenous Art Practices. Open to students and Indigenous members of the art community, the lab provides mentoring and helps build digital skills, exhibitions and training. It is also developing new policies for how institutions work with Indigenous art and artists.
Northern voices lead energy conversations
Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is one of UVic’s newest research projects, and it’s already making a difference in communities. In March 2025, a new project began to learn what small, rural, and remote communities in northern BC want for their energy future. These community-led talks are part of the Northern Regional Energy Dialogues (NRED), a five-year project run by UVic and the University of Northern BC with support from the Northern BC Climate Action Network (NorthCAN). The goal is to guide clean energy planning for the next ten years.
Driving innovation
UVic made big strides in tech innovation in 2024-25, including new tools for health, partnerships with businesses and support for student start-ups. UVic’s Research Partnerships and Innovation team helped researchers launch 33 new inventions, 17 patents and over 50 new ventures as researchers turned ideas into real-world solutions.
new invention disclosures
new patents filed
start-ups supported
patent utilization rate
+8%UVic start-ups saw major growth in 2025-24, through new investments, job creation, and global attention. Together, these start-ups brought over $10 million into the local economy.
In 2024, the Intellectual Property Clinic was established with $80,000 in funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
UVic start-ups worked with university researchers on nearly $800,000 worth of research, mainly through Mitacs programs. These partnerships help spark new ideas and build strong connections between the university and businesses, leading to exciting new discoveries and developments.
Partnering with Bombardier for clean and sustainable aviation
In 2024, UVic’s Centre for Aerospace Research joined Bombardier’s EcoJet Project as its first university partner. They worked together to design, build, and test small models of a new aircraft with a blended-wing-body aircraft. The goal is to cut business jet emissions by up to 50 per cent, putting UVic at the front of sustainable aviation research.
An innovative test for an ancient disease
In September 2024, UVic microbiologist Caroline Cameron received funding from the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to create a new test for syphilis. This test can tell the difference between current and past infections, and can diagnose congenital cases. Unlike older methods, it uses a simple urine sample and could help clinics around the world, especially in places with limited medical resources.
Alumni-turned-innovators
The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrated UVic graduates who are leading the way in deep tech, biotech, software, and clean energy. Winners included Dr. Jennie Christensen of TrichAnalytics (pictured) and Dr. Sahar Sam of Solaires, whose companies are changing how we monitor wildlife and use solar power.
Excellence recognized
UVic faculty and students continue to earn recognition for their outstanding work. From promising young researchers to leaders in social justice, Indigenous law, and global science, members of the UVic community are being celebrated for their contributions to their fields and to society.
Three new Canada Research Chairs were named in 2024-25 and seven UVic researchers were recognized as Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers. Four students were named Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars and a postdoctoral fellow was awarded the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Kyoto Prize
In June 2024, UVic adjunct professor and geologist Paul Hoffman was awarded the prestigious Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences by Japan’s Inamori Foundation. The prize honours his decades-long, field-driven contributions to understanding Earth’s deep past.
Order of Canada
Environmental policy scholar Michael Prince (pictured) was appointed to the Order of Canada in January 2025, honouring decades of advocacy for disability rights, social equity and public policy advisory roles.
Royal Society of Canada 2024
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) is Canada’s highest academic honour. Lin Cai, Janelle Jenstad, Carey Newman and Ryan Rhodes were elected Fellows, and Heidi Stark was elected to the RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists in September 2024. Val Napoleon (pictured) received the Yvan Allaire Medal for her leadership in revitalizing Indigenous law, co-developing UVic’s world-first joint degree in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID) program and establishing the National Centre for Indigenous Laws.
UVic鈥檚 latest Rhodes Scholar
In November 2024, microbiology alumna Shaeleen (Shae) Mihalynuk received a Rhodes Scholarship, earning two fully funded years of study at Oxford University. She is the 13th Rhodes Scholar in UVic’s history. Shae has been instrumental in antimicrobial research through the PeptAID project and is helping develop new alternatives to antibiotics in agriculture.
Looking ahead
UVic’s Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation is committed to building on recent successes and supporting the research community continue to grow and thrive. This includes work to expand partnerships and turn discoveries into real benefits for communities locally and globally. Guided by the goals in Aspiration 2030, UVic will continue to promote research, creativity and innovation that support a more sustainable and equitable future.
