SFU awarded $80 million to upgrade supercomputing facility

Simon Fraser University’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure at the Cedar National Host Site – one of the most powerful academic supercomputers in Canada – has received a major boost with the award of more than $80 million in funding.

The investment will enable SFU to create a new system that will seamlessly replace and upgrade the existing Cedar supercomputer, which is nearing the end of its life. The new system will match or exceed Cedar’s current storage capacity and computing performance to the benefit of tens of thousands of users across Canada.

The combined investment includes $40,946,000 from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance), $24,567,600 from the Province of British Columbia, through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) and more than $15 million in in-kind contributions from partners. The Alliance is also contributing an additional $248,000 to fund three research-support positions.

“For years, SFU's supercomputer Cedar has empowered Canadian researchers to tackle problems in sectors ranging from personalized medicine for better patient care to green technologies to help fight climate change,” says Joy Johnson, SFU’s president and vice-chancellor.

“These generous investments from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will allow us to continue making a difference for B.C., Canada and the world through advanced computing power. I cannot wait to see the incredible innovations and discoveries that are ahead of us.”

SFU’s Cedar, which was one of the top 100 supercomputers in the world (and top 15 on the Green 500 when it was built, provides advanced computing power and storage to fuel research innovation, as well as industry, government and academic collaboration across Canada. Among its many achievements, the supercomputer has allowed SFU engineering science professor Mirza Faisal Beg to spearhead research that could help to redefine cancer treatment. Using artificial intelligence (AI), his breakthrough research enables imaging of the human body and organ measurements much faster than traditional methods, signaling a leap forward in harnessing AI for individually personalized healthcare solutions.

"This significant support for the supercomputing facility at SFU ensures that thousands of researchers across academia, government and industry have the computing power to achieve transformational innovations,” says Dugan O’Neil, SFU vice-president research and innovation.

“From vital discoveries in healthcare to advancements in clean technologies and artificial intelligence, today’s investment will benefit Canadians and the economy now and into the future.”

SFU is ranked as Canada’s top university for innovation and industrial application and No. 2 in the world for entrepreneurial spirit. The university is home to more than 60 research centres and institutes and is one of Canada’s fastest growing intensive research universities, with sponsored research income increasing by 37.5 per cent in the past decade.

“Our government is investing in B.C. universities to support a range of research bringing about advancements in healthcare like new heart monitoring technology and artificial intelligence for individually personalized cancer treatments, as well as research that will accelerate decarbonization pathways and grow B.C.’s hydrogen sector for a cleaner future,” says the Hon. Brenda Bailey, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.

“Through the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF), we continue to invest in the research tools needed to secure our province’s place as a global leader in innovation, and to make life better for people.”

Currently, SFU has 42 Canada Research Chairs, 14 Tier 1 Chairs and 28 Tier 2 Charis. Since 2001, more than 90 Canada Research Chairs have been appointed at SFU. The funding was announced at the Cedar site at SFU’s Burnaby campus on June 3, 2024.

“Advanced Research Computing is a vital tool in the Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy,” says the Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

“Today's announcement will help ensure the researchers are better equipped to optimize research data to generate cutting-edge knowledge and ideas. Expanding the capacity of Canadian supercomputing power ensure that Canada maintains its science and research excellence and remain globally competitive.”

George Ross, CEO of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, was also on hand for the announcement.

“Data is an essential national asset, foundational to our country’s knowledge creation, economic growth and social impact,” Ross says.

“We are pleased to join forces with the Government of British Columbia and the world-class research computing teams at Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria to empower researchers Canada-wide. This significant investment in our national compute infrastructure demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to scientific excellence and to bolstering Canada’s position as a leader in the global knowledge economy."