The University of Toronto’s Institutional Strategic Initiatives (ISIs) are rooted in a simple, yet powerful idea — by building large-scale interdisciplinary research networks, we can foster the collaboration needed to solve the world’s most complex problems.
Since 2019, 22 ISIs have been launched at U of T. This number includes both pre-existing initiatives that joined the portfolio and new initiatives, three of which reflect Provostial priorities in student mental health, Black research excellence, and Indigenous research excellence. The ISIs cover diverse subjects including human health, climate change, urban infrastructure and mobility, artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, and the digital humanities. Our office has also supported the development of nascent initiatives in quantum technologies and social justice. We have become a laboratory for collaboration and an acceleration space in the university, providing structure and support to propel interdisciplinary research excellence.
ISIs have had a broad impact—in research, innovation, and policy—with wide-reaching benefits for students, researchers, industry, and the public. They are advancing the fight against cancer, creating new carbon-capture technology, and developing tools to support decision-making for the housing crisis.
They are bringing social justice to equity-deserving groups, creating pandemic-ready testing facilities, and developing new drugs and transplant procedures. As a magnet to attract resources to the university, ISIs have secured some of the largest research grants in Canadian history. Indeed, the portfolio was given the ambitious goal of attracting $300 million in external funding by 2024, a figure the ISIs have collectively surpassed. As of April 2024, the ISI portfolio has secured $490 million in total external funding.
We extend our thanks to all the people inside and outside the university that have made these achievements possible: students, faculty, staff, industry and hospital partners, and donors as well as our collaborators from U of T’s academic divisions who are participating in the ISIs. We would also like to thank our collaborators from the Offices of: the Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Vice-President and Provost; Vice-President, International; Government Relations; Communications; University Advancement; and People Strategy, Equity and Culture.
Here, we showcase just some of the many remarkable stories from the ISIs and the related initiatives we support. We hope that as you read about the people who make up our interlinked communities and learn about the difference they are making in the world, you will feel the same sense of pride that we feel in being part of these ambitious initiatives.