U15 (universities)

U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities

Formation	1991
Legal status	Association of Canadian-based universities
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Region served	Canada
Membership	15 Dalhousie University, McGill University, McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, Université d'Ottawa, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario, Université de Montréal, Université Laval
Official language	English, French
Chair	Feridun Hamdullahpur
Website	u15.ca

The U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (commonly shortened to U15) (French: U15 Regroupement des universités de recherche du Canada) is an association of 15 Canadian public research universities. It is headquartered in Ottawa and was established in 1991 to represent its members' interests, primarily to provincial and federal governments, concerning the research enterprise and government programs supporting research and development.

Its member institutions undertake 80 percent of all competitive university research in Canada, and represent a research enterprise valued at more than $5 billion annually. Together, they contribute upwards of C$36 billion to the Canadian economy every year; as well as produce more than 70 percent of all doctorates awarded in Canada.

The core of the U15 began when executive heads of five universities in Ontario—McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and the University of Western Ontario—began to meet informally to consider mutual interests. This group of five Ontario-based universities formed an association in the mid-1980s to advance the interests of their research-intensive institutions. By 1989, vice-presidents from other Canadian universities had joined the initial group. After a meeting at the University of British Columbia, they agreed to meet twice annually to share common concerns. In 1991, the universities formed a Group of Ten, made up of the original five Ontario universities, along with McGill University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Université de Montréal, and Université Laval.