LNN file photo

By Nathaniel Leigh

U of L

Canada Foundation for Innovation invests in research infrastructure for major projects

Mar 16, 2026 | 5:20 PM

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is providing funding to research infrastructure projects at 32 post-secondary institutions, including the University of Lethbridge.

The Gravitational wave Astrophysics Infrastructure Network (GRAIN), including ULethrbridge’s Doctors Saurya Das and Alex Tearenko, will be receiving $5.5 million, contributing to two international projects that will unveil black holes and enable precise tests of theories that push the boundaries of physics.

Officials say GRAIN will work to ensure Canadian researchers have access to data gathered by a Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) while astro physicists study the ripples in spacetime generated when objects like black holes collide.

“The University of Lethbridge plays a pivotal support role in ensuring Canada’s software readiness,” says Dr. Das, a theoretical physicist in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at ULethbridge. “My colleague, Dr. Tetarenko, and I will help develop GRAIN’s software and participate in data analysis, as well as coordinate with our national partners to obtain the high-performance computing resources we need.”

Dr. Saurya Das, theoretical physicist at the U of L. (Image Credit: Supplied)

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Dr. Alex Tetarenko, astrophysicist, U of L. (Image Credit: Supplied)

Other Universities that are part of GRAIN includes The University of British Columbia, McGill University, Universite de Montreal, Bishop’s University and the University of Manitoba.

A total of$552-million are being provided to 92 projects through the CFI.