It’s like offering researchers a free cellphone roaming package, but for lab use.
In a move to begin reshaping the research landscape in Southern Ontario, McMaster and Western have signed a strategic agreement to open doors for shared access to 13 leading research facilities at each institution.
The unique partnership is more than a logistical arrangement — it’s a vision for a more connected, collaborative, and resilient research ecosystem.
At its heart, the agreement is about unlocking potential and identifying efficiencies. By providing reciprocal access to designated facilities, researchers at both institutions are able to tap into a broader array of world-class infrastructure and to accelerate discovery and innovation across disciplines.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to strengthening research capacity in Southern Ontario,” said Gianni Parise, vice-president (Research) at McMaster.
“By opening access to our Core Research Platforms, we’re maximizing the investments from federal and provincial governments and empowering researchers to push boundaries, accelerate discovery, and train the next generation of innovators.”
McMaster researchers gain access to seven advanced facilities at Western, including the Biotron, Surface Science Western and the Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation Facility.
Meanwhile, Western researchers now have access to six premier McMaster platforms, including the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, and the Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy.
Not only does this reciprocal model provide equal access, it allows researchers to pay the same rates as those affiliated with the host institution, removing financial barriers that often hinder cross-institutional collaboration.
The Western-McMaster partnership is a first step in a longer strategy to develop a regional node of cores with other institutions in the area.
“Collaboration is the key to accelerating outcomes,” said Penny Pexman, vice-president (Research) at Western.
“The more we come together as individuals and institutions to leverage investments and remove barriers to success, the more productive we can be in addressing the questions that matter most in our region and to our country.”
Nabil Bassim, scientific director of the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, headquartered at McMaster, is enthusiastic about the possibilities.
“We’re excited to welcome more Western researchers into our facility and to tap into Western’s infrastructure to advance our research,” said Bassim. “It’s really a springboard to spark new collaborations with more minds working together, more hands-on training for students, and more impactful research outcomes.”
Launched as a three-year pilot in July 2025, the partnership has the potential to grow by expanding to new facilities over time.
Core Research Platforms contain the university’s specialized equipment and technical expertise essential for advancing research and competing on the world’s research stage. They foster and facilitate interdisciplinary research, provide opportunities for new research, and ensure the development and sustainability of equipment and facilities.