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Digital research infrastructure (DRI) is the collection of tools and services that allow researchers to turn big data into scientific breakthroughs.

In today's digital age, data is an essential tool for scientific progress; it underpins quality research in every discipline. As the global innovation race speeds up, only the countries that have world-class DRI in place will be able to stay competitive.

The four key elements of a country's DRI are:

• Digital network for research and education, allowing researchers to share data and collaborate across Canada and around the world.
• Data management, allowing researchers to find and access data.
• Research software, enabling researchers to access and use data.
• Advanced research computing, involving super computers that allow researchers to analyze massive amounts of data.

These elements need support from:

• Highly qualified personnel: skilled people with the expertise to support the DRI system and help researchers make the most of cutting-edge tools.
• Cybersecurity: to ensure that once created, the knowledge is also protected.

The 2018 federal budget committed $572.5 million to ensure that Canadian researchers have the digital tools they need to support scientific excellence.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s seeks to increase access to DRI resources to meet researcher needs, offer tools to support collaborative and leading-edge research, and support a cohesive national vision for future investments, ensuring clarity among national, regional and local (institutional) roles and responsibilities.

To achieve the objectives of the DRI Strategy, a new DRI Contribution Program has been established to fund one not-for-profit organization that will co-ordinate funding and strategic directions for national DRI activities.

As the next step toward implementing the DRI Contribution Program, the applicant board for the program invites researchers to participate in an online national consultation session on Tuesday, November 12. Building on feedback received in September and October, these sessions will gather additional input from the community on governance issues including membership and board composition.

• When: Tuesday, November 12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
• How to participate:
  • Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
    • , or visit  and enter meeting ID 743 870 430.
  • Join from a dial-in phone line:
    • Dial: +1.647.558.0588
    • Meeting ID: 743 870 430
    • Participant ID: Shown after joining the meeting
    • available
  • Join from a H.323/SIP room system:
    • Dial: 205.189.33.73
    • Meeting ID: 743 870 430

If you are unable to attend the virtual session, you can still provide feedback by contacting info@engagedri.ca. Visit the website for updates.