On Jun. 17, 2014 The University of Calgary announced it has the opportunity to lead research breakthroughs into some of the biggest medical challenges of this generation thanks to $200 million in combined support from Geoffrey Cumming and the Government of Alberta.

The Cumming School of Medicine is being named in honour of this extraordinary gift.

The Government of Alberta is committing $100 million in matching funds to further medical research and innovation at the University of Calgary.

International businessman and University of Calgary alumnus Geoffrey Cumming is donating $100 million to build on the Faculty of Medicine’s internationally recognized strengths, particularly in the two priority areas of brain and mental health; and infections, inflammation and chronic diseases. By recruiting outstanding scientists and students, and providing them with the best technology and resources to make medical breakthroughs, Cumming hopes his gift will help improve the health of Albertans and the global community.

The combined $200-million investment creates leveraging opportunities so University of Calgary researchers can achieve medical breakthroughs through world-class research. It will provide opportunities for students, researchers and postdoctoral scholars to participate in leading-edge research and train with the best minds. It will also support emerging initiatives in research that may lead to transformative impacts on health; local, national and international outreach; and improved medical and educational support.