Bilateral R&D projects have long been seen as an effective vehicle for encouraging companies to bridge national divides for mutual benefit. The longevity of the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation is testament to the value it brings to our collaborating nations.
As this issue’s lead article shows, companies in Israel and Canada are lining up to access the modest funding CIIRDF provides, gaining access to mentoring and matchmaking that can boost their technological offerings while opening up potential new markets. Other governments such as Ontario see CIIRDF as an attractive vehicle, handing it the management of its Ontario-Israel Collaboration Program.
There’s also fertile collaboration between CIIRDF and Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), which helps Canadian firms access Israeli technologies that can reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
Other bilateral business R&D programs exist at the federal level, namely those involving India, China and Brazil. Once managed by International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada, they are now housed within Global Affairs Canada under the title of the Canadian International Innovation Program (R$, September 24/15).
CIIRDF funding has not kept pace with inflation and Israel is encouraging Canada to extend and strengthen its mandate. Given the pioneering success of the program, CIIRDF deserves a place in both the forthcoming Innovation Agenda and the 2015 federal Budget.
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