In an national news conference held at the University of Manitoba, the Canada Foundation for Innovation announced that the Neuropsychology of Vision Perception and Action Lab is a recipient of their 2005 New Opportunities Fund.

This outstanding infrastructure support will enable the Perception and Action Lab to purchase advanced eye and body movement tracking equipment for investigating visual perception and the visual control of actions, looking at brain activity in individuals who have suffered head injuries or stroke, as well as those with disorders like autism or Alzheimer’s.

Highlights of the News Release are presented below.

CFI Attracts World-Class Researchers to Canada

WINNIPEG, November 7, 2005—Canadian universities across the country are receiving new funding to attract and retain 115 high-caliber researchers. Today’s announcement by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) will provide support for 87 projects in 31 universities which will allow new and talented researchers to conduct their research in world-class facilities.

Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI, was joined by Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, to announce the new investment of $18.6 million for Canadian universities. Today’s announcement marks the sunset of the CFI’s New Opportunities Fund (NOF) which has helped to recruit over 3,000 researchers to Canada since its inception in 1998.

“The investments made by the CFI since its creation have had a transformative impact on the research landscape in Canada,” said Minister Alcock. “Our government is proud of these investments, which will not only make the economy more innovative and competitive, but will improve the quality of life of all Canadians.”

“The New Opportunities Fund has helped to put Canada on the map when it comes to attracting the very best researchers from around the world,” said Dr. Phillipson. “Providing them with state-of-the-art infrastructure helps ensure we stay at the cutting-edge of the global knowledge-based economy.”

The investments approved by the CFI Board of Directors will provide researchers in Canada with the tools necessary to carry out a wide spectrum of cutting-edge research.