McMaster Univ has received $3.3 million from the Ontario R&D Challenge Fund (CF) to undertake research into structural engineering. The Ontario government money, which is matched by the university and three industry partners, will go toward establishing a Centre for Effective Design Structures, and will pay for three endowed chairs and a new professor in civil engineering. McMaster will also use the funding to hire postdoctoral fellows and research engineers, and provide training for 20 more graduate students. To meet the CF's requirement of one-third private sector funding, $3.3 million is being contributed by the Ontario Masonry Contractors Association, Ontario Concrete Block Association and JNE Consulting.