The Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) builds on a long and distinguished history of supporting researchers across Québec, Canada, and the international scientific community (see History). As one of McGill University’s flagship research platforms, the FEMR plays a vital role in keeping the university at the forefront of multidisciplinary discovery, education, and training across the environmental, life, materials, and physical sciences.
Our success stems from a powerful combination of scientific expertise, highly skilled technical staff, and a suite of state‑of‑the‑art instruments that are rigorously maintained to ensure exceptional performance. This advanced infrastructure supports both cutting‑edge and traditional electron microscopy approaches, enabling researchers to tackle questions ranging from atomic‑scale materials characterization to complex biological systems.
A Founding Member of the Québec Network for Materials Electron Microscopy (QNMEM)
The FEMR is a founding partner of the Québec Network for Materials Electron Microscopy (QNMEM), a province‑wide consortium uniting McGill University, Concordia University, Polytechnique Montréal, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval, and École de technologie supérieure. Supported by a $26M investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the network is dedicated to advancing world‑class science, developing next‑generation technologies, and sustaining outstanding operational capabilities in electron microscopy.
Within the QNMEM, the FEMR provides unique infrastructure and expertise that bridge the materials, physical, and life sciences—an integration unmatched elsewhere in Canada. This interdisciplinary strength allows researchers to explore complex problems that span multiple scientific domains, from nanotechnology and biomaterials to environmental systems and beyond.
Complementing National and Regional Research Strengths
The FEMR also plays a key role within Canada’s broader research ecosystem. It complements major national and regional facilities such as the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy at McMaster University and the National Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Alberta. Together, these facilities form a powerful network that supports Canadian leadership in microscopy, materials science, and nanotechnology.
Beyond academia, the FEMR provides critical expertise and services to industrial and commercial partners, helping to enhance the global competitiveness of Québec and Canada. Our interdisciplinary environment fosters innovation by bringing together world‑leading scientists, advanced characterization and imaging technologies, and a collaborative culture that encourages creative problem‑solving.