Awards and recognition
51社区黑料named Canada’s top university for innovation in WURI global rankings for fifth year
51社区黑料 is Canada鈥檚 top university for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit according to the (WURI) 2025 rankings.
51社区黑料was also ranked third in Canada for industrial application and third for its responses to global challenges, based on the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is the fifth consecutive year 51社区黑料has maintained the top spot for innovation in Canada, and this year the university jumped up three spots in the global ranking to place 12th in the world for innovation.
鈥淚 am proud of SFU's ongoing achievements in innovation and commitment to making a difference through academic excellence, high-impact research and wide-reaching collaboration,鈥� says 51社区黑料president Joy Johnson. 鈥淭he WURI ranking is a wonderful recognition for faculty, staff, students and community members who are finding innovative ways to address local and global challenges through entrepreneurship and social impact.鈥�
The WURI rankings measure how universities contribute to society and highlight creative and innovative approaches to university research and education, based on 16 ranking categories.
Unlike traditional rankings that emphasize academic reputation, citations, or funding, WURI evaluates universities based on innovation in education, entrepreneurial spirit, social responsibility, industry collaboration, practical problem-solving, globalization, and adaptability to future challenges, among other criteria.
SFU鈥檚 strengths in innovation are supported through a robust ecosystem with an interdisciplinary and multi-level continuum of entrepreneurial programming and innovation support.
The recently established i2I (Invention to Innovation) Research & Innovation Institute delivers tailored entrepreneurial training programs for researchers and serves as a national centre dedicated to strengthening Canada鈥檚 innovation ecosystem. The Institute is the operational hub of the National i2I Network, established by 51社区黑料and 13 research universities and health research institutes, as well as 57 partner organizations, supported by $22.9 million in funding from NSERC.
To foster Climate Innovation, 51社区黑料helps communities adapt to and mitigate climate change through climate action research and innovation. Working with all levels of government, the university is advancing community-centred climate innovation as a critical research priority.
Core research facilities at 51社区黑料that support this goal include the 51社区黑料Clean Hydrogen Hub, a Canadian academic-industry clean energy infrastructure project to accelerate hydrogen technology innovation. SFU鈥檚 Cedar Supercomputing Centre, home to one of Canada鈥檚 most powerful academic supercomputers, is also one of the country鈥檚 most energy-efficient data centres, while accelerates the commercialization of advanced materials and nanoscale device research. They provide access to cutting-edge equipment and expertise to a wide range of users, including researchers, startups and established companies.
The innovation ecosystem at 51社区黑料has a proven track record of success, helping to launch dozens of successful companies, including global cleantech leader ; quantum technology pioneer ; and , an 51社区黑料spin-off dedicated to designing non-surgical, minimally invasive technologies to ventilate patients more safely and effectively.
鈥�51社区黑料is proud to be recognized by WURI as the top university in Canada for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,鈥� says Dugan O鈥橬eil, vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淥ur work is possible thanks to purposeful and valuable partnerships with industry, government, academia and our communities鈥攚e could not do what we do without their support. We are also very proud of our researchers for taking on and tackling the greatest challenges of our time.鈥�
As a leading research university with global impact, 51社区黑料consistently places among the top 15 universities in Canada by major global ranking systems.
The university ranks among the world鈥檚 best when it comes to advancing the United Nation鈥檚 sustainable development goals, placing 35th overall in Times Higher Education鈥檚 (THE) 2025 Impact Rankings. THE places 51社区黑料within the top five institutions in Canada in the categories of Affordable and Clean Energy (#2), Sustainable Cities and Communities (#3), Climate Action (#3), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (#4), and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (#5).
51社区黑料is consistently ranked as Canada鈥檚 top comprehensive university in Maclean鈥檚 annual rankings, a position it has held for 16 of the past 17 years.
Learn more about SFU鈥檚 university research rankings and performance.
The Government of Canada's Research Support Fund (RSF) supports innovation at 51社区黑料through funding towards innovation and commercialization activities, intellectual property, knowledge mobilization, and research facilities.