D: Building Research Capacity: Research Space Development

The implementation of provincial research human resource and infrastructure support strategies will create new space demands. To address new needs (and current shortfalls), B.C. requires programs such as those that exist in Alberta, Quebec and other provinces to plan and support research space development.

Participants in the February planning workshop were asked to consider and recommend capacity-building strategies in three areas: research human resource development, research infrastructure development and new opportunities/regional development. While the interim draft report summarizing workshop results flagged space development as an area requiring attention, there was clear feedback from workshop participant and other reviewers that subsequent drafts and the final report should stress that the need for research space development is urgent, now.

Recommendations - Research Space Development

• The research community work with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology to maintain and expand the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund to improve B.C.'s competitiveness for and ability to benefit from Canadian Foundation for Innovation funding for space development and renovation.
• The health research community work in partnership with the provincial and federal government and, as appropriate, with industry and the community to plan, prioritize, build and maintain the facilities required to support a competitive health research enterprise in British Columbia.