GIFS at USask receives $1.6 million investment from PrairiesCan

Aug 21, 2025

The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan has received a $1.6 million investment from PrairiesCan to support a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program.

The funding was part of a $4.6 million announcement to support multiple initiatives within Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector. The announcement was made by the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), during a visit to GIFS on Tuesday.

“PrairiesCan’s latest investment builds on its earlier investment into GIFS, strengthening our outcomes-driven, team-based model. By integrating cutting-edge platforms — high-throughput genotyping, engineering biology and data analytics — we deliver real-world impact through market-facing programs like our FCC Accelerated Breeding Program and Biomanufacturing,” said Dr. Steven Webb (PhD), GIFS CEO.

“Our unique model—unmatched in Canada and uncommon globally—closes a critical innovation gap, reducing risk and accelerating the path from discovery to market for partners.”

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