Ottawa’s two main academic institutions, Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, are active participants in both fundamental and applied research across a variety of disciplines. Both have the unique position of being situated within the heart of Canada’s most intensive concentration of advanced technology enterprises as well as being in close proximity to government agencies, laboratories and libraries. 

With a sponsored research income of $238.3 million in 2005, the University of Ottawa is at the forefront of Canadian academic research, particularly in health, information technology, and the molecular sciences.  The university is home to internationally recognized laboratories, centres, and institutes.

Carleton University’s research enterprise is extremely diverse. It has a strong reputation for research in science and engineering.  Its areas of research include advanced technologies, advanced materials, structural science and life sciences.  In 2005, Carleton’s sponsored research income was $72 million.