August 29, 2025 - Longueuil, Quebec
By fostering international collaboration and ensuring Canadian access to worldclass space missions, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is advancing scientific excellence and helping build a stronger, more innovative Canada.

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced today close to $2.8 million in research grants to 14 Canadian postsecondary institutions. These investments will help scientists explore deep questions - from understanding the origins of life to unlocking secrets of our solar system and the universe. They also reinforce Canada's role as a global player in space research and innovation.

Grants to Canadian post-secondary institutions across the country include:

• AstroSat mission: $136,000 to McGill University, University of Alberta and University of Calgary. Canadian researchers will be studying a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, including hot, high-energy objects in the universe like young stars and black holes.
• James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) Cycle3: $1.4 million to Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, Western University, Universite de Montreal, University of Toronto, University of Victoria and York University for 16 projects. Canadian astronomers will be able to search for the first stars and galaxies created after the Big Bang to better understand how galaxies, stars and planets are born and evolve over time, explore distant worlds and study our solar system.
• Research Opportunities in Space Science (ROSS) Cycle3: $1.1 million to Bishop's University, Saint Mary's University, Universite de Sherbrooke, University of Lethbridge, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Western University. It will enable the advancements of science and technology through space research and by enhancing the involvement of Canadian researchers in several international missions.  
• Xray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM): $100,000 to Saint Mary's University and University of Waterloo. Led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), XRISM is an international space mission that studies extreme events in space and furthers our understanding of the universe. With XRISM, new technologies have opened a new horizon in Xray astronomy.