The research road map
Concordia’s research and funding achievements have grown exponentially throughout its history. From the launch of pioneering research centres to landmark events, discover some of the university’s defining moments.
1981 Centre for Research in Human Development
The interuniversity research and training hub becomes Concordia’s first research centre. It focuses on critical issues in human development, from infancy through old age.
1983 Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology
Researchers at the centre study the neurobiological basis of drug abuse. Other areas of focus include appetitive motivation and the neural, hormonal and psychological processes that maintain homeostasis.
1988 Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance
The multi-institutional research centre advances scholarship on teaching and learning processes and develops new pedagogical tools and practices.
1997 New Rural Economy project
The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation’s 11-year initiative unites rural residents, researchers, policy analysts, the business community and government to tackle key rural issues. In 2000, it receives further funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
2001 Institute for Research Creation in Media Arts and Technologies / Hexagram
Support from Valorisation-Recherche- Québec and the Canada Foundation for Innovation enables the creation of this research technology infrastructure for new media arts.
2001 Concordia Institute of Aerospace Design and Innovation
Quebec’s first aerospace institute, housed in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, advances aerospace education and learning, and co-ordinates multi-partner research projects.
2002 Richard J. Renaud Science Complex
The state-of-the-art teaching and research facility helps revitalize Loyola Campus, fostering interdisciplinarity and innovation across science departments.
2005 Solar Buildings Research Network
The interuniversity network develops solar-optimized buildings within an advanced technological system. 2006 Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies Concordia elevates its top research position to a VP level.
2011 Funding for key research facilities
With $80 million in Knowledge Infrastructure Program funding, Concordia opens the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics and the PERFORM Centre on Loyola Campus, supporting interdisciplinary research in genomics and health prevention, respectively. The grant also funds the Solar Simulator — Environmental Chamber in the Henry F. Hall Building, advancing solar energy and building-technology research.
2016 Milieux
An outgrowth of Hexagram, the institute promotes research-creation at the intersection of fine arts, digital culture and information technology.
2017 Genome Foundry
The pioneering facility employs the latest in robotic instrumentation to enable synthetic biologists to execute work at significant scales and speeds.
2019 Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities
Ursula Eicker becomes the university’s first CERC, leading the Next-Generation Cities Institute with $10 million in funding. The institute brings together researchers to explore sustainable urban development.
2020 Applied Science Hub
The advanced Loyola Campus facility encourages interdisciplinary collaboration through labs and research spaces, supporting fields like agriculture, health and sustainable development.
2022 Cybersecurity consortium
The Government of Canada provides $76.4 million for the National Cybersecurity Consortium, which establishes the Cyber Security Innovation Network. Concordia co-leads the network, advancing cybersecurity in Canada.
2023 Volt-Age
With a $123-million Canada First Research Excellence Fund grant — the largest in its history — Concordia launches an electrification research program focused on innovative energy sources, critical infrastructure and affordable green energy for communities across Canada.
2023 Abundant Intelligences
Computation arts professor Jason Edward Lewis secures a $23-million New Frontiers of Research Fund Transformation grant to co-lead Abundant Intelligences, an international project merging Indigenous knowledge with innovative AI technologies.