The BL-NCE program was created by the Government of Canada in Budget 2007. The budget allocated $46 million for the creation of Business-Led networks. The first competition selected four networks in 2009 for the period of four years at a total grant value of $8-$12M. In Budget 2012 the Government of Canada made the BL-NCE program permanent, with an annual budget of $12 million.

This competition will select up to four new BL networks over a period of up to five years.

The 2014 competition for new networks is open to Canadian private sector companies, consortia, associations, etc. who are proposing to deliver a successful BL network in a Canadian research priority area.

BL networks increase business value and/or private sector competitive advantage. They are business-driven with a research program directed and managed by private sector members. They address key performance issues of their sector and enable businesses to develop, share and benefit from innovative solutions through collaboration and pooled resources across the private and public sector. The open nature of a BL network draws membership from large companies, small and medium enterprises, not-for profit organizations, academia and government, while speeding the delivery of research results, expanding the scope of potential solutions and minimizing barriers to commercialization.

The application process for the 2014 BL-NCE Competition consists of three stages: a Notification of Intent, a Letter of Intent, and a Full Application. Each stage is mandatory. The Notification of Intent submission deadline is February 15, 2013.

Milestones	Deadlines
Competition Launch	January 17, 2013
Notification of Intent (NOI) Deadline	February 15, 2013
Letter of Intent (LOI) Application Deadline	April 15, 2013
Full Application Deadline	September 15, 2013
Expert Panel Review	October 1-15, 2013
Notification of Applicants	December, 2013
Release of funds	March, 2014

Documents

If you have questions regarding the 2014 BL-NCE Competition, please contact Renée Leduc.