The government launched the Leading Edge Endowment Fund in April 2002, in fulfilment of its New Era commitment to establish 20 permanent B.C. leadership research chairs across the province in the fields of medical, social, environmental and technological research.

The fund was established with an initial provincial commitment of $45 million. The 20 leadership research chairs will each receive a total endowment of up to $4.5 million, which is cost-shared between the government and the private sector - each contributes $2.25 million.

In February 2003, the Province announced a new initiative to support BC Regional Innovation Chairs to create new social and economic development opportunities at BC's colleges, university colleges and institutes.  The Provincial Government has committed $11.25 million to create nine innovation chairs, contributing $1.25 million to each. Cost-shared between the public and private sectors, each chair will receive a total endowment of up to $2.5 million, with institutions responsible for securing non-provincial government contributions.

On February 22, 2005, three preliminary proposals for B.C. Regional Innovation Chairs were approved to proceed to full proposals. Each institution has until February 2006 to select a chair candidate, secure the matching funds to support the $2.5 million chair endowments, and submit a full proposal for peer review.

Sport and Health - Camosun College
Vancouver's hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010 will offer many opportunities to increase the profile of sport and health in B.C. This chair will bring together leaders in sport science, health and athletics to develop activities and programs to promote sport, health and fitness to all Canadians.

Reservoir Ecology - Okanagan University College (UBC - Okanagan)
Applied research and expertise is required to ensure the sustainability of BC's rivers and reservoir systems as a source of clean hydroelectric energy. This interdisciplinary chair will provide leadership and facilitate information-sharing from private, public and non-government sources to monitor the effects of reservoir management on the environment.

Canada-India Business and Economic Development - University College of the Fraser Valley
The thriving Indo-Canadian community in the Fraser Valley is entrepreneurial and has unique synergies with the growing Indian economy and other overseas markets. This chair will work with local businesses and the Indo-Canadian Centre for Research and Studies in Canada and India to develop a strategy for capitalizing on business opportunities and promote a competitive advantage for the region and the province.

Media contact:
Paul Woolley
Communications Director
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 213-1171