Research Performance

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is ranked as Canada's top university for innovation. As a leading research university with global impact, SFU consistently places among the top 15 universities in Canada by major global ranking systems.

Research Income

SFU is among Canada's fastest growing research intensive universities measured by growth of research income. Our sponsored research income has grown by nearly 50% over the past 10 years, reaching $150.2 million in 2023.

Research Output

Research at SFU spans eight faculties, covering a broad range of fundamental, interdisciplinary and applied research topics, as outlined in our Strategic Research Plan. On average, SFU researchers publish 2,700 journal articles per year, over 40% of which appear in the world's top 10% journals (Source: Scopus).

University Research Rankings

SFU is consistently ranked among Canada's top research intensive universities in major national and global ranking systems.

The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024 ranks SFU as:

#1 innovative university in Canada, and the only Canadian university to rank in the innovation top 50 worldwide
#2 Canadian university for industrial application

Globally, SFU ranks 15th among innovative universities in the WURI ranking.

As an early adopter of the THE Impact Rankings, SFU has
been recognized over the past three years as a global leader
in: Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11); Climate
Action (SDG 13); and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 16).

Most recently, the 2024 Times Higher Education's Impact Rankings—which measure universities’ strengths in advancing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals—placed SFU third worldwide on climate action and sustainable cities and communities, and at No. 1 in Canada for both categories.

Learn more at sfu.ca/sdgs

In its 2024 World University Rankings, Times Higher Education ranks SFU tied for 11th in Canada. SFU is one of the top 301-350 universities in the world.

The 2024 QS World University Rankings positioned SFU within the top 320 in the world, maintaining our rank as 13th in Canada. In addition, we are within the top 5 in Canada for international students and faculty. We are within Canada's top 15 for citations per faculty.

Collaborations

SFU's research is guided by a strategy for wide-reaching collaborations at the local, national and international levels. This strategy supports knowledge generation and transfer across many sectors. SFU has a number of international partnerships in countries spanning the globe.

Community-Centred ClImate Innovation

Community-centred Climate Innovation is a critical research priority at SFU focused on engaging our researchers with all levels of government, industry and community members.

SFU International

SFU International (SFUi) is the university's hub of international relationships, knowledge and resources to mobilize the global reach of SFU’s teaching, research and community engagement.

Partnerships Hub

SFU's Partnerships Hub advances SFU’s vision of Canada’s engaged university by facilitating and supporting external partnerships. We help connect you to the right expertise and resources at the university to build and grow impactful relationships.

B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation

The B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation powers British Columbia's agritech businesses to grow the economy and feed the world by accelerating research and development of new food production and processing technologies.