The Government of Canada Makes Substantial Investment in S&T with the Launch of Three New Research Networks

OTTAWA, December 1, 2009 — Researching effective treatments to help children with developmental brain disorders, finding ways to lessen the impact of fossil fuels on the environment, and using social media to improve education and skills development are the goals of three new networks of excellence launched today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology).

“Our government supports science, research and technology to create jobs, improve the quality of life of Canadians and strengthen the economy,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “Creating partnerships between researchers and industry will bring innovations from the lab to the marketplace so that Canadians and people around the world can benefit.”

The government is investing $125 million in Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) as well as Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) to help researchers develop their findings into new practical, applied and marketable solutions and will also facilitate and advance the commercialization of technologies, products and services for the benefit of all Canadians.

Speaking at the 20^th anniversary celebration of the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), the minister also launched the third competition for up to four new CECRs.

“The NCE initiative is a valuable asset to Canada's society, encouraging discovery, innovation and application in a wide variety of science and technology sectors,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, Chair of the NCE Steering Committee and President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. “The CECR program addresses the growing commercialization gap between ideas and application. By bringing together researchers, industry and innovation, the CECR program funds the establishment and operation of world-class centres which turn research into business opportunities.”

The NCE program brings together Canadian scientists and researchers in the natural, social, health and engineering sciences, as well as others in Canada's academic, corporate, public and non-profit sectors, to focus on issues critical to Canadian industry, society and economy. The three newnetworks include:

• the GRAND Network, led by Dr. Kellogg Booth from the University of British Columbia, which will explore novel social media, e-learning and edutainment environments that enhance learning and skill development;
• the NeuroDevNet Network, led by Dr. Daniel Goldowitz, also from the University of British Columbia, which will study ways to reduce the long-term costs to the health care system through early intervention and effective treatment of children with developmental brain disorders; and
• the CMC Network, led by Dr. Stephen Larter from the University of Calgary, which will develop technologies necessary to “decarbonise” fossil fuel production and utilization.

The CECR program enhances collaborations among Canada's research community to mobilize research excellence and commercialization. It was established in 2007 through the Government of Canada's Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy.

The new centres that will receive funding under today's announcement for the CECR program will be chosen through a national competition. As in previous competitions, the centres selected will be based in the sub-priorities established in 2008 by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council and aligned with the priority areas of the Government of Canada's S&T Strategy. Application information is available at: http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/Index_eng.asp.

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Backgrounder

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research

The goal of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program is to create world-class centres to advance research and facilitate commercialization of technologies, products and services.

These centres operate in the priority areas of the S&T Strategy: health, information and communications technology, environment, and energy and natural resources.

The program funds the CECRs' operating and commercialization costs. Research and infrastructure costs must be covered by other federal programs, or through initiatives such as those run by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the granting agencies.

To date, 17 successful initiatives have been launched, representing an investment of almost $200 million. They were chosen by international peer review and with advice from the private sector. Each centre brings together people, services and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of the government's investment in skills and research. They also encourage private sector investment.

Proposals for the third CECR competition will be evaluated on the potential benefits to Canada, strength of the business plan and the team track record. In addition, close attention will be paid to two criteria related to commercialization:

• Ability to create, grow and retain Canadian companies that can capture new markets with breakthrough innovations; and
• Evidence that the proposed Centre would accelerate the commercialization of leading edge technologies, goods, and services in priority areas.

A Private Sector Advisory Board (PSAB) assesses the economic and commercial benefits and opportunities of each proposal, and provides recommendations to the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Steering Committee. The PSAB is informed in their decision by international peer review.

Currently funded CECRs

Advanced Applied Physics Solutions Inc. – AAPS
Vancouver, BC ($14.95 million)

Bioindustrial Innovation Centre - BIC
Sarnia, ON ($14.95 million)

Centre for the Commercialization of Research - CCR
Ottawa, ON ($14.95 million)

Centre for Drug Research and Development - CDRD
Vancouver, BC ($14.95 million)

Centre of Excellence in Personalized Medicine - CEPM
Montreal, QC ($13.8 million)

Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization - CPDC
Hamilton, ON ($14.95 million)

Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer - IRIC / CECR in Therapeutics Discovery - IRICoR
Montreal, QC ($14.95 million)

MaRS Innovation - MI
Toronto, ON ($14.95 million)

The Prostate Centre's Translational Research Initiative for Accelerated Discovery and Development - PC-TRIADD
Vancouver, BC ($14.95 million)

Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise - PREVENT
Saskatoon, SK ($14.95 million)

Centre of Excellence for the Prevention of Organ Failure - PROOF Centre
Vancouver, BC ($14.95 million)

Canadian Digital Media Network - CDMN
Waterloo, Ontario ($10.721 million)

Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency - C3E
Shawinigan, Quebec ($9.623 million)

Centre for Surgical Invention and Innovation - CSII
Hamilton, Ontario ($14.805 million)

GreenCentre Canada - GCC
Kingston, Ontario ($9.1 million)

Oceans Network Canada Centre for Enterprise and Engagement - ONCCEE
Victoria, British Columbia ($6.576 million)

Tecterra
Calgary, Alberta ($11.685 million)