Memorial leads all Canadian universities with medical schools when it comes to corporate research income growth over a 20-year period.

Corporate research income refers to the funding that Memorial researchers receive from industry and the private sector to support their research programs.

The new data was released on Jan. 25 by Research Infosource as part of its yearly roundup of leading universities across the country.

It says Memorial places No. 1 for corporate research income growth from fiscal year 2001 to fiscal year 2020, with a dramatic 715.1 per cent increase.

It notes Memorial had $58,122,000 in corporate research income in fiscal year 2020, compared to $7,131,000 in fiscal year 2001, according to financial data posted to the Canadian Association of University Business Officers website.

Top 20

Memorial received other favourable grades this year, further underscoring its reputation as a research leader in Canada.

It maintains its place as one of this country’s top 20 research universities — ranking No. 19 — with $162,922,000 in university sponsored research income reported for fiscal year 2020.

That’s an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to fiscal year 2019, when Research Infosource says Memorial’s sponsored research income was $160,636,000 and the university ranked No. 18 in the country.

When it comes to universities with medical schools, Research Infosource currently ranks Memorial No. 2 for corporate research income as a percentage of its total research income for fiscal 2020, with 35.7 per cent coming from industry investments.

Additionally, among universities with medical schools, Memorial’s corporate research income grew 16.1 per cent from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal 2020, placing third in the country in that category.

“Over the past 20 years, Memorial has matured into a leading-edge research-intensive institution,” said Dr. Neil Bose, vice-president (research).

“Ongoing collaborations with diverse industry partners, government agencies and other stakeholders allow our interdisciplinary research teams to address global challenges and local needs. These impressive Research Infosource rankings will further bolster Memorial’s international profile as a top destination of choice for researchers and graduate students.”

20-year snapshot

As part of its 20-year university spotlight, Research Infosource notes Memorial’s total university research income grew significantly — 375.3 per cent — from fiscal year 2001 to fiscal year 2020; this growth is second in the country for universities with medical schools.

Additionally, Memorial places second in two other categories: total university research publication growth, which rose 241.3 per cent from 2000 to 2019, and university international collaboration publication growth, which jumped a remarkable 552.9 per cent from 2000 to 2019.

“These 20-year snapshots highlight big wins for Memorial and demonstrate a commitment by our research community to expand global partnerships and disseminate their findings to the world,” added Dr. Bose.

‘Rapid growth’

“While overall gains in research inputs and outputs have been impressive over the past 20 years, many institutions stood out for their very rapid growth far in excess of the average,” Ron Freedman, CEO, Research Infosource said in a news release.

“We salute all of Canada’s research universities and wish them every future success.”

With more than 300 program options, Memorial is one of Atlantic Canada’s largest universities, offering degree programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.