$6M supports three health research projects in Manitoba

Winnipeg, MB – The Manitoba government is providing a total of $6 million in funding to three cutting-edge health research projects. The projects are the first grant recipients from a new $17 million program launched by the government last year to support research in the health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the arts.

The three health research projects are:

• The Manitoba Developmental Origins of chronic diseases In children Network (DEVOTION), led by Dr. Jonathan McGavock, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. Grant is $2.5 million over 5 years.
• The Manitoba Personalized Lifestyle Research (TMPLR) Program, led by Dr. Peter Jones, Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba. Grant is $1 million over 4 years.
• An Innovative Cancer Research Model: Integrated Multidisciplinary CCL Research Cluster, led by Dr. Spencer Gibson, Departments of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and Immunology, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba and director of CancerCare Manitoba’s joint cancer research centre with the University of Manitoba. Grant is $2.5 million over 5 years.

“The team/cluster research model brings together dedicated mentors and experts from various fields and encourages participants to explore a wider range of responses and treatments for chronic diseases that affect many Manitoban families,” said Kevin Chief, the province’s minister of Jobs and the Economy, in making the announcement. “This is a model that has worked in other jurisdictions and has been shown to create better and more relevant research that benefits patients more quickly.”

The minister noted the structure of this program encourages investments from other partners such as post-secondary institutions, hospitals, foundations, research institutes and health charities. 

More information is available on the program’s website.