The Royal has once again been recognized as one of Canada’s leading research hospitals, maintaining its position at #34 in the 2025 Research Infosource rankings of Canada’s Top 40 research hospitals.
This achievement highlights The Royal’s ongoing commitment to advancing mental illness and addiction research and innovation.
The annual rankings measure research activity across Canadian hospitals, reflecting the strength and impact of their contributions to science and patient care. The Royal’s sustained position underscores its dedication to improving mental health outcomes through evidence-based research and collaboration.
“We are proud to maintain our place among Canada’s top research hospitals,” said Dr. Florence Dzierszinski, President & CEO, Research, at The Royal. “This ranking reflects the incredible work of our researchers and scientists who are committed to finding new ways to translate research findings into care, helping individuals reclaim their lives from mental illness and addiction.”
One-of-a-kind brain imaging at The Royal
Earlier this year, The Royal announced the launch of Canada’s first integrated brain imaging platform for mental health research, supported by a major Brain Canada grant. Housed at The Royal’s Brain Imaging Centre (BIC), the new BIC Advanced Multi-modal Neuroimaging Platform for Psychiatry (BIC-AMPP) will use advanced imaging and clinical data to uncover how mental illness works and speed up the development of personalized treatments.
“This grant puts Canada at the forefront of brain research for mental illness and addiction,” said Dr. Dzierszinski. “The rich datasets generated through BIC-AMPP are ideally suited for integration with AI tools, helping transform our understanding of mental illness and improve care.”
The platform will not only advance discovery but also ensure that breakthroughs translate into better care for patients — locally and globally.
Expanding access
The Royal’s BIC recently joined the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine's network of Core Facilities, expanding access to advanced human imaging technology for researchers across the region and beyond.
More than just collaboration, expanding access to brain imaging tools means breaking down barriers between clinical care and cutting-edge research. Becoming a core facility has opened doors to more discoveries that can transform lives.
Partnerships are at the heart of The Royal’s mission
The Royal thrives through collaboration. By working closely with academic and health partners, we transform research discoveries into better treatments, education, advocacy, and policy. Together, these partnerships drive progress toward reclaiming lives from mental illness and addiction.
As a member of the Ottawa Academic Health Network (OAHN), The Royal is part of a research community that continues to demonstrate national leadership. In 2025, all OAHN institutions were once again ranked among Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals, marking the eleventh consecutive year the network has achieved this distinction.
This collective performance highlights the strength of Ottawa’s integrated academic health ecosystem and the enduring partnership between the University of Ottawa and its affiliated research hospitals. Together, OAHN institutions increased their overall research spending by 14.6%, reaching $256.6 million and reinforcing Ottawa’s position as one of Canada’s most dynamic centres for life sciences research and innovation.
About The Royal
The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental illness and addiction treatment, research, and education hospitals, dedicated to supporting individuals aged 16 and older who are living with complex mental illness and addiction. Since opening in 1910, The Royal has grown into a trusted resource for people across eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec, and Nunavut.
With campuses in Ottawa and Brockville, and clinical teams working directly in homes and communities, The Royal delivers compassionate, evidence-informed care grounded in cutting-edge research, including through its partnership with the University of Ottawa and other academic and community partners. Its integrated model brings together care, research, education, and strategic partnerships to help build a future of recovery.
At The Royal, we separate the person from the illness, helping more people reclaim their lives.
Media contact: Alyssa Nader, Communications Specialist, The Royal, anader@theroyal.ca
