Actua Receives $38.4 million from the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund
Press Release
Ottawa, ON - May 26, 2024
Today, the Government of Canada announced that Actua will receive $38.4 million over five years through its newly launched Strategic Science Fund (SSF).
The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, were on site at Actua to deliver the announcement.
The Strategic Science Fund supports the expertise and resources of organizations like Actua to enhance Canada’s science, technology and innovation excellence.
The SSF investment in Actua will:
- Build Canada’s talent pipeline by delivering inclusive science and technology skill development programs to 1.8 million youth with a significant focus on girls, Indigenous, Black and other vulnerable youth in 600 communities;
- Strengthen science culture in Canada by inspiring and empowering youth, parents and educators to better understand the critical impact of science in society. This includes AI, climate change, cybersecurity, healthcare, and more.
- Advance Canadian research on barrier-free STEM in order to position Canada as a global leader; and
- Deliver Indigenous land-based science as a critical means of driving innovation and economic reconciliation.
“We are grateful for this federal investment in Actua’s work to develop the early stages of Canada’s talent pipeline,” said Jennifer Flanagan, co-founder and CEO of Actua. “This significant support recognizes the critical importance of youth engagement in STEM, along with continued priority on removing barriers and building inclusivity.”
“Science and research are the cornerstones of Canada’s economic well-being and progress. Canada’s researchers work to expand our understanding of the world, and they generate new ideas to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time. With this investment in Actua through the Strategic Science Fund, our government is continuing its support for world-class, cutting-edge research and for those who work to inspire and train the next generation.” – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
About Actua
Actua is one of Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organizations representing over 40 university and college-based members. Each year, Actua’s network of member organizations engages over 375,000 youth in 600 communities nationwide in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence. Actua focuses on engaging equity-deserving youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, youth facing economic barriers and youth living in Northern and remote communities. In addition to the Government of Canada, Actua’s major funding partners are private sector companies including, the RBC Foundation, the Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Group, Google.org, Toyota Canada Foundation, Cenovus, CIBC Foundation, Enbridge, Scotiabank, Coveo, Mastercard and Imperial, whose long-term investment has been and continues to be essential in our collective mission to equip and inspire youth to lead Canada’s future science and innovation economy.
Contact Information
Alison Gareau
Senior Director, Communications, Actua
communications@actua.ca
613.234.4137