U15 Canada

Formation	1991; 35 years ago (1991)
Type	Association of universities
Headquarters	Constitution Square,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Location	Canada
Membership	15 universities Dalhousie University, McGill University, McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, University of Ottawa, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, Université de Montréal, Université Laval
Official languages	English French
Chair	Daniel Jutras
Chief executive officer	Robert Asselin
Website	u15.ca

U15 Canada (U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, French:U15 – Regroupement des universités de recherche du Canada; commonly shortened to U15 Canada) is an association of 15 Canadian public research universities. It is headquartered inOttawa and was established in 1991 to represent its members' interests, primarily to provincial and federal governments, concerning the research enterprise and government programs supporting research and development.

Its member institutions undertake 80 per cent of all competitive university research in Canada, and represent a research enterprise valued at more than $5 billion annually.^[1] Together, they contribute upwards of C$36 billion to the Canadian economy every year, and produce more than 70 per cent of all doctorates awarded in Canada.^[1]

The core of U15 Canada began when executive heads of five universities in Ontario—McMaster University,Queen's University,University of Toronto,University of Waterloo and theUniversity of Western Ontario—began to meet informally to consider mutual interests. This group of five Ontario-based universities formed an association in the mid-1980s to advance the interests of their research-intensive institutions.^[2] By 1989, vice-presidents from other Canadian universities had joined the initial group. After a meeting at theUniversity of British Columbia, they agreed to meet twice annually to share common concerns. In 1991, the universities formed aGroup of Ten, made up of the original five Ontario universities, along withMcGill University,University of Alberta,University of British Columbia,Université de Montréal, andUniversité Laval.^[2]

The group has since expanded twice, once in 2006, and again in 2011. In 2006, the group expanded to includeDalhousie University,University of Calgary, and theUniversity of Ottawa, becoming theGroup of Thirteen.^[2] In 2011, the group grew to its current size and membership with the addition of theUniversity of Manitoba and theUniversity of Saskatchewan. The group was reorganized and renamed as the U15.^[2] In 2012, the executive heads created a U15 Canada Directorate and appointed the organization's first executive director.^[3]

The executive heads of the member universities govern U15 Canada, supported by their respective chief academic officers and vice-presidents of research.^[4] The executive organ of the group is the executive committee, made up of the Chair and two Vice-Chairs. Through a process of peer nomination, U15 Canada members appoint a Chair to lead the governing body. The committee is charged with acting on behalf of U15 Canada members concerning operational matters related to the Secretariat.^[4] The current Chair isDaniel Jutras, who is the rector of the Université de Montréal.

In addition, U15 Canada's executive committee operates a number of sub-committees that assist the administration in its operations. The Academic Affairs Committee advances collaborative initiatives and attempts to maximize cooperation among the member institutions.^[4] The Research Committee attempts to advance the research agenda of its member institutions.^[4] The Data Exchange Steering Committee is charged with setting the priorities and recommending annual work plans for research data specialists at member universities.^[4]

U15 Canada currently has 15 members, of which six are from Ontario, three from Quebec, two from Alberta, and one each from British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Seven of the thirteenprovinces and territories of Canada are represented in the group. Three of the six Ontario-based U15 universities are located within theGreater Golden Horseshoe, and two of them are inEastern Ontario. Meanwhile, two of the three Quebec-based universities are located in the City ofMontreal.

Collectively, the members of U15 Canada represent 47 per cent of all university students in Canada, 71 per cent of all full-time doctoral students in the country,^[5] 87 per cent of all contracted private-sector research in Canada, and 80 per cent of all patents and start-ups in Canada.^[5] As a group, U15 Canada universities attract C$5.3 billion in annual research income, notably holding 80 per cent of all competitively allocated research funding in Canada.^[5]

Alberta

British Columbia

Calgary

Dalhousie

Laval

Manitoba

McGill

McMaster

Montréal

Ottawa

Saskatchewan

Queen's

Toronto

Waterloo

Western

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Locations of U15 Group universities

• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Maple League of Universities
• Higher education in Canada
• List of universities in Canada
• List of higher education associations and alliances
• List of higher education associations and organizations in Canada
• ORION (research and education network)
• Rankings of universities in Canada

• Official website

• U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities
• 1991 establishments in Ontario
• College and university associations and consortia in Canada

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Pages using infobox mapframe with missing coordinates
• Articles containing French-language text
• Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia