Research Money Inc – 2010

Number 10 / Volume 24 / July 6, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

It’s time for Canada to energize its S&T enterprise and gain critical ground against its competitors. With many competing nations reeling under unmanageable debt loads, stepping up Canada’s S&T game and leveraging the untapped potential of our relatively robust economy could yield significant long-term dividends.

National Research Council allocates cluster funding from last federal Budget

Seeking longer-term commitment

The National Research Council (NRC) has announced the allocation of $135 million from the latest federal Budget for its Technology Cluster Initiatives (TCIs). At the same time, it is working to implement recommendations of an internal evaluation prepared last fall that documents the impact of the 11 clusters in fostering company growth and sectoral collaboration.

Alberta launches another commercialization centre to boost at health care ICT

Target sector of 130 companies

A new product commercialization centre (PCC) for emerging health care technologies is the latest addition to the new suite of innovation programs being rolled out in Alberta.

CFI continuesto play central role on Canada's public research landscape

Phillipson steps down after six years

For his last media interview, Dr Eliot Phillipson was clearly anxious to discuss the recently concluded contribution agreement hammered out between the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Industry Canada.

Opinion Leader:
Peter Hackett

Dr Peter Hackett

A Creative Economy in Canada?

By Peter Hackett

Canada is rich because of an abundance of natural resources. For decades, governments have made much of the need to diversify the economy. However, these many innovation agendas have never been crucial.

Big pharma seeks regulatory changes as R&D spending continues downward spiral

R&D spending in Canada by patent-holding pharmaceutical firms declined 2.9% in 2009 — the largest single annual drop in the past 22 years — amidst escalating calls by industry for a more globally competitive regulatory and operating environment.

Economic downturn posing challenges for Alberta's realigned innovation system

With the official launch of Clinexus, Alberta now has a suite of four product commercialization centres (PCC) targeted at sharply defined industry sectors and all under the authority of the recently established Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (TF).

Bioactive paper researchers seek to boost commercialization with CECR application

The Sentinal Bioactive Paper Network is seeking to expand its clout as a world-leading source of applications for detecting water, air and food-borne pathogens using bioactive paper. The Network, which currently receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), has been short-listed for the next competition of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, which will provide $57 million for four new Centres among the remaining 10 applicants.

News Bites

News Briefs

MDS partners to develop new medical imaging tracer

Medicago USA receives DARPA endorsement

BC government helps fund new TRIUMF accelerator

Westport acquires Italy's OMVL for US$23.4 million

Bioniche signs agreement for veterinary technology

Nanotech agreements inked between Quebec & Japanese

Solar energy powers up GreenStar Network

People

Dr Kevin Smith 2010

Michel Kelly-Gagnon

Dr Tom Brzustowski

Dr Alison Symington

Number 9 / Volume 24 / June 18, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

An ambitious project focused on Canada’s energy future and the potential for developing environmentally sustainable sources is bringing together a novel combination of players to conduct research in an area of critical national importance (see page 5).

Public Policy Forum leads latest attempt to craft actionable innovation strategy

Year-long consultation process

The Public Policy Forum (PPF) has capped a year-long examination of Canadian business innovation and is developing a comprehensive strategy that it hopes will generate the kinds of actions that previous initiatives have failed to achieve.

Univ of Waterloo set to become major centre of applied nanotech research expertise

Focus on Waterloo

Just two years after its creation, the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology (WIN) is gearing up to move into the largest and most expensive building in the history of the Univ of Waterloo.

CIHR continues to develop international effort to combat Alzheimer's

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is forging ahead with new international agreements on neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) as it continues discussions with government officials on its plan to make Canada a world leader in the field.

Opinion Leader:
Jeffrey Crelinsten

Jeffrey Crelinsten

Tapping Canadian Talent Abroad
By Jeffrey Crelinsten

There’s nothing like a pitch session to separate the kids from the grown ups. I recently attended a series of entrepreneur “bootcamps” designed by the San Francisco/Silicon Valley office of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS).

New report calls for greater education investment and more sophisticated innovation policies to ensure future prosperity

The latest annual report from the Institute for Competitiveness & Prosperity (IC&P) argues that Canada must increase its investment in education and develop innovation strategies that go beyond the traditional focus on scientific invention or risk falling further behind other knowledge-intensive jurisdictions.

Trottier Family Foundation funds multi-year project examining Canada's energy future

Basis for national energy strategy?

The Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) is teaming with the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) to undertake a major, multi-year project examining the future of Canadian energy and energy supplies that could lay the foundation for a much-needed national energy strategy.

New business development organization aims to boost tech activity in Moncton region

Moncton NB is home to a new innovation enabling organization that its backers hope will help the region’s nascent tech and life sciences clusters develop and prosper. More than five years in the making, Tech Southeast Inc (TSE) aims to link the major innovation players and support organizations in the southeast section of the province to facilitate the creation and growth of companies in the information and communications technologies (ICT) and life sciences sectors.

News Bites

News Briefs

NSERC announces latest CREATE awards

New pan-Canadian cancer research strategy released

Lignol Innovations joins NSERC research network

Amorfix teams with PREVENT for vaccine candidates

OCAD receives university status

Project launched to produce algae-based biofuel

People

Dr Axel Meisen

Dr Michael Charles

Dr Denis Briére

Number 8 / Volume 24 / June 4, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

The decision to exclude two innovative programs for African development from the agenda of the forthcoming G8 meeting can only be read as a failure in vision and leadership on the part of the Canadian government.

Silicon Valley-based Canadian ex-pats organize to assist tech firms back home

Giving back and making deals

Canadians living and working in Silicon Valley’s tech sector have banded together to assist companies, entrepreneurs and investors back home to find the funding and expertise they require for growth — the latest initiative to find common ground between the two jurisdictions.

Ontario to appoint provincial chief scientist

Ontario is pushing ahead with plans to establish a chief scientist for the province following premier Dalton McGuinty’s announcement while on a life sciences trade mission to Israel. The new position — a first for Canadian provinces — would help to identify commercialization opportunities, especially those relating to its three R&D priorities — life sciences, green energy and clean water and provide advice on how to achieve better alignment of the various players in the innovation system.

Federal S&T outlays remains flat, account for shrinking portion of government spending

National defence bucks trend

Science and technology spending by the federal government has increased as a proportion of overall government expenditures over the past 13 years but has retreated in recent years from a high of 5% in FY03-04, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.

Opinion Leader:
Dr Alain Beaudet

Alain Beaudet

CIHR at 10: challenges met, challenges to come
By Dr Alain Beaudet

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010. Ten years may seem long, but it is actually a very short time particularly for an organization with such an ambitious mandate, working in areas where outcomes tend to be long-term.

Federal government joins provinces at table for upcoming meeting of S&T ministers

For the first time in three years, the federal government is coming to the table to participate in the the recently revived annual meetings of S&T ministers, raising optimism for a new era of coordination for S&T policy making and an integrated innovation agenda.

Maternal and child health beats out African research chairs for consideration at G8

Science Academies release statements

By Debbie Lawes

The Canadian government’s reported $1-billion commitment to child and maternal health at this month’s G8 summit appears to have sidelined a separate $500-million proposal to support 1,000 new academic research chairs for African universities, as well as a more modest $95-million plan for math institutes throughout the continent (R$, April 9/10).

OECD innovation strategy stresses need for mobilizing vision, overarching strategy

Analysis

By David Crane

Societies that are best at innovation have the best chance of achieving jobs, economic growth and the wealth to sustain a high quality of life, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) promises in its just-released major report on innovation strategy.

News Bites

News Briefs

ICT mentoring program launched in BC

Genome Canada launches major open competition

Teva invests $56 million in Canadian production facility

CDRD and Prostate Centre to collaborate on R&D

CCIP announces $15 million for 12 collaborative projects

People

Dr Gilles Brassard

Number 7 / Volume 24 / May 21, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

The federal S&T file appears to be accelerating in recent weeks as the government moves to fill key positions and launch programs and consultation processes designed to give some heft to the high-level S&T Strategy.

To the Editor

2010-05-13

To the Editor,

After reading your story on the results of NSERC’s 2010 Discovery Grants competition in the April 23/10 edition of RE$EARCH MONEY, I have a few concerns that I wanted to bring to your attention.

Ontario gov't launches $161-M life sciences strategy; medical devices among big winners

By Debbie Lawes

Ontario has set its sights on becoming a top-tier global cluster for life sciences with a new strategy designed to attract global product mandates and clinical trials, despite a climate of fierce international competition, tight credit and volatile markets.

Government seeks stakeholder input for development of digital economy strategy

The federal government has given the information and communications technology (ICT) sector less than 10 weeks to respond to a discussion paper that will lay the groundwork for a Canadian digital economy strategy after months of signaling its intention to move on a file considered critical to future productivity and competitiveness.

Top Danish expert recruited for CERC in Arctic microbiology and climate change

The arrival of Dr Soren Rysgaard at the Univ of Manitoba to assume a Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Arctic Geomicrobiology and Climate Change is spurring the formation a bi-national research institute between Canada and Denmark to examine the impact of climate change on glacial and sea ice.

Opinion Leader:
Paul Dufour

Paul Dufour

The provinces, the feds & national S&T building
By Paul Dufour

With the announcement in March that the Quebec government was shutting down its long-time science advisory body, the Conseil de la science et de la technologie (CST), a productive and decidedly public chapter in Canadian science policy efforts has come to an end (R$, April 9/10).

New fund boosts Canada's efforts to align S&T with international development

Grand Challenges Canada

A new organization devoted to fusing S&T and innovation with Canada’s international assistance efforts has chosen point-of-care diagnostics as the first of five major challenges to combat health challenges in the developing world.

Industry Canada collaborates to release first-ever report on product design & development

Product design and development (PD&D) is a critical $38.6-billion industry in Canada that far outperforms the economy in terms of growth, according to a first-ever report on the industry. The largest investing sectors in PD&D are industrial electronics, motor vehicle, chemical, machinery, aerospace, motor vehicle parts and primary metals, accounting for $22.

CERC program shows that Canada is serious in attracting world-class research expertise

Unprecedented media coverage of the winners of the inaugural competition for the Canada Research Excellence Chairs (CERC) program has thrust Canada’s attempts to build world-class targeted research expertise into the public consciousness.

ORION makes the case for boosting Ontario network's speed to 100 Gb/second

Ontario’s research and education network is hoping that a new report detailing the potential economic benefits of increased networking speeds will help to convince the provincial government to fund the lion’s share of a major systems upgrade.

News Bites

News Briefs

Clean tech sole bright spot in dismal VC investment activity

Genome Canada launches two targeted competitions

Ford signs on as GreenCentre Canada industry partner

Alberta and Li Ka Shing fund new virology institute

CFI's Leaders Opportunity Fund awards $27.9 million

People

Dr Gary Albach

Dr Paul Lasko

Pardeep Ahluwalia

Number 6 / Volume 24 / April 23, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

John McDougall’s arrival in Ottawa to assume the presidency of the National Research Council coincides with a critical juncture in the organization’s history. Struggling to eliminate a large deficit and faced with a tight fiscal environment for the foreseeable future, Canada’s largest network of government laboratories is challenged to carve out a new, productive role for itself in the 21st Century.

McDougall says he will seek consensus when developing new strategic direction

Interview with new NRC president

Less than a week into his new job as president of the National Research Council (NRC), John McDougall doesn’t profess to have detailed knowledge of the venerable institution’s current status but he has a succinct plan for assessing the current environment and begin applying a career’s worth of expertise in the management of S&T assets.

KPMG audits and International Review Panel give CFI top marks for its role in transforming university-based research in Canada

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) remains a strong, flexible vehicle for funding Canada’s growing research infrastructure as it prepares to adopt a new strategic plan under a president and CEO.

Controversial tax decision risks triggering a post-doctoral brain drain in Canada

By Debbie Lawes

Ottawa should delay a controversial tax ruling that will put Canadian universities, particularly those in Quebec, at a competitive disadvantage in attracting top-level postdoctoral researchers, warn graduate groups and opposition MPs.

Opinion Leader:
Gerry Remers

Gerry Remers

Embracing the Digital Economy
By Gerry Remers

I’m going to the cottage this weekend — but I’m not taking my laptop. In fact, I could probably leave my cell behind as well. Bell advertises high-speed mobile access (using its “Turbo Stick”) of up to 21 Mbps.

NRC makes adjustments to reduce deficit

The National Research Council (NRC) has instituted a wide range of cuts that will reduce the agency’s deficit from $65 million to slightly under $10 million. The across-the-board reductions which will take place over a two-year period have already been implemented and apply largely to support services.

Success rates continue downward spiral with latest NSERC Discovery Grants competition

New selection process implemented

Greater numbers of returning applicants, higher quality research and stagnant funding have resulted in a further decline in the success rate in the latest competition for the core research grants supporting scientists represented by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

FedDev rolls out new R&D collaboration program targeting southern Ontario SMEs

The federal government is rolling out a new pilot program to stimulate R&D and commercialization among smaller firms in southern Ontario by collaborating with the region’s post-secondary institutions.

News Bites

News Briefs

Huawei Technologies opens Ottawa R&D Centre

Research In Motion snaps up Ottawa-based QNX Software

Ontario highlights 3D technology development

AG cites AAFC for delays in implementing S&T strategy

U of T uses CANARIE to archive holdings

People

Elizabeth Dowdeswell

Dr Janusz Kozinski

Kevin Lynch

Dr Gilles Patry 2010

Dr Calvin Stiller

Dr Peter Liu

Number 5 / Volume 24 / April 9, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

The Quebec government’s decision to kill its key S&T advice council and collapse its three research granting councils into one undefined new organization is both ill-advised and uninformed. Such a slash-and-burn approach to valuable S&T assets in the name of fiscal discipline could come back to haunt the province as it struggles to control its deficit and strengthen its knowledge-based sectors.

Quebec Budget boosts investment in aerospace and pulp and paper, enhances innovation strategy, cuts S&T Council

S&T figures prominently in the Quebec government’s efforts to curb its growing debt and stimulate economic activity with a major overhaul of key institutions and agencies combined with $1.1 billion in mostly new innovation-related spending.

Academic researchers eager to participate in upcoming review of federal R&D spending

The CEO and scientific director of one of Canada’s most successful Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) is bullish on the latest federal Budget and optimistic that the pending government review of its support for R&D offers a unique and timely opportunity to accelerate the development of a knowledge-based economy.

Canada urged to take lead among G8 nations in funding new research chairs and mathematics institutes in Africa

By Debbie Lawes

Two leaders from Canada’s research community are lobbying to make a $500-million Canada Research Chairs (CRC)-type program and $95 million for post-graduate math institutes key planks in a new development agenda for Africa — one based on a bold mix of higher level education, capacity building and sustainability.

Architect of Quebec S&T policy critical of recent government changes to key research and innovation organizations

Exclusive On-line interview with Dr Camille Limoges

The Quebec government has some serious explaining and accounting to do following several controversial initiatives in its March 30th Budget, according to a key architect of science and technology policy in the province.

Opinion Leader:
Bill Buxton

Bill Buxton

S&T policy and the Long Nose
By Bill Buxton

For a company to go from zero to $1 billion in revenue takes 20 years — what I call the Long Nose. Most people are not aware of how long this nose is. The first part where an invention happens is basic research, in the middle is refinement and augmentation which is applied research and the third is the productization.

RE$EARCH MONEY Conference grapples with challenges facing future of corporate R&D

Is Canada lagging in industrial R&D?

Greater direct R&D support for industry is essential to grow the base of existing firms while universities must be given the freedom to pursue fundamental research unfettered by strategies that seek to align academic research to the needs of industry.

Budget 2010 commits $1.4 billion to S&T over multiple years

The following chart was provided to RE$EARCH MONEY by Industry Canada. It breaks down the recent federal Budget’s funding decisions for S&T and innovation, with the majority allocated over five- and two-year timeframes.

SSHRC restructures programs to enhance access and simplicity of support

Researchers in the social sciences and humanities will be the beneficiaries of the most comprehensive overhaul of funding support in recent memory when revamped programs of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are rolled out over the next three years.

News Bites

News Briefs

Research In Motion breaks $1-billion R&D plateau

CANARIE facilitates OICR cancer research efforts

Japan to unveil new growth strategy

SSHRC awards four new MCRI grants

AAFC provides $6 million for beef R&D projects

OST tracks differing types of research collaboration

People

Dr Hany Moustapha

John McDougall

Guy Levesque, 2010

Iain Stewart

Number 4 / Volume 24 / March 19, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

The federal Budget does little more than keep the hounds at bay as the government’s deficit position plays havoc with a more comprehensive approach to S&T funding. Renewals for key organizations and facilities dominated the Budget’s S&T provisions with several modest new initiatives that give an inkling of future directions (see lead story).

Budget greeted with cautious optimism as S&T fares better than expected

Few new initiatives

Strategic reviews and advisory committees threatened to outnumber the number of new S&T initiatives in the 2010 federal Budget as the Conservative government unveiled its medium-term deficit reduction plan for eliminating billions in red ink.

Cancer research institute awaits word on funding renewal from Ontario government

By Debbie Lawes

A Toronto start-up company commercializing a new delivery system for cancer drugs has received $500,000 from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), one of the last awards to be made by the institute pending renewed funding from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation.

CFI tapped for NEPTUNE operating funds

Lobbying has already begun to seek ongoing operating funds for the NEPTUNE and VENUS underwater laboratories despite a two-year, $24 million reprieve for the facilities announced last December. The funding was secured through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) — Canada’s agency for research infrastructure support — even though the money will be used exclusively to meet operating expenses.

Opinion Leader:
Alex Navarre

Alex Navarre

Universities, a universe of challenges confronted by elusive visions
By Alex Navarre

University mission was self-defined over the years as first and foremost, to train students to acquire in-depth analytical rigor (which distinguishes universities from vocational schools); second, to conduct frontier research that will put that advanced knowledge to test and give the opportunity for graduate students to work on current issues; and third, a fuzzy concept of services to society interpreted by university presidents in many political ways to serve their interests vis-à-vis their stakeholders.

Expert panel argues for a solid research base, greater coherency in S&T investments,

RE$EARCH MONEY On-Line Budget Discussion

Anticipation within the S&T community leading up to the March 4th federal Budget made the government’s plans for the sector the subject of considerable speculation.

CIHR the biggest player as federal support for biotech inches up to nearly $1 billion

Nearly half of all federal support for biotechnology in FY08-09 was provided through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), which allocated nearly 92% to the higher education sector, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.

Additional On-Line Budget Coverage: S&T organizations receive follow-on funding in Budget, often at reduced rates and for shorter time periods

Budget 2010 Additional On-Line Coverage

Genome Canada

Many of the S&T-related initiatives in the 2010 Budget can be categorized as follow-on funding for established organizations and agencies, with the largest single measure devoted to Genome Canada.

News Bites

News Briefs

Adenyo raises $30 million in venture capital

US and Canada to work together on oceans research

Space agency heads discuss international space station

RADARSAT II data to assist Catlin Arctic Survey

Nova Scotia initiative seeks aerospace & defence skills

Number 3 / Volume 24 / March 3, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

When the health of university-based research is examined, it’s important to consider the whole picture and not just the sponsored research funding that institutions compete for. Sources of public funds and access to higher learning are also key components of the post-secondary funding scenario that have been the focus of recent reports and initiatives.

Waterloo gears up to take advantage of strengths in digital media technology

Focus on Waterloo, Part II

The Lang Tanning building in downtown Kitchener ON is currently a hulking brick shell but in three months it will be transformed into the key hub of the Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN).

The Ninth Annual RE$EARCH MONEY Conference

“Industrial R&D: Is Canada Really Lagging”
March 25, 2010 at the National Arts Centre

The large industrial research lab is no longer the norm. Multinational firms now globally distribute their R&D and collaborate with partners in public and private sector institutions.

Proposed organization aims at enriching Canadian science policy and training

Science PAGES

A proposed new source of timely science information and analysis is seeking to enhance Canada’s capacity to help formulate policy on key S&T issues and train a new generation of science policy practitioners.

Opinion Leader:
Dr David Wolfe

David A. Wolfe

21st Century cities: The geography of innovation
By Dr David Wolfe

The key to Canada’s future prosperity lies in solving two critical but interrelated challenges — the ability to create high growth, knowledge-based firms and the ability to sustain our cities as dynamic centres for innovation and creativity.

Perimeter Institute enhances Waterloo area's growing reputation as a knowledge centre

Focus on Waterloo

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) is at once an anomaly in Waterloo and a striking example of how deep the roots of knowledge have permeated the region. In just 10 years, PI has exploded on the world of theoretical physics, becoming the largest centre of its kind on the planet.

Anti-viral group seeks new funding source after feds scrap plans for HIV vaccine facility

By Debbie Lawes

The International Consortium on Anti-Virals (ICAV) hopes to secure $50 million under a new maternal and child health initiative which is expected to be the centerpiece of Canada’s development assistance and a priority for this summer’s G8 summit in Muskoka ON.

Statistics Canada strikes working group to improve key indicator for higher ed R&D

Statistics Canada has struck a working group to examine the accuracy and inclusiveness of its higher education R&D (HERD) survey, the benchmark indicator for R&D in post-secondary institutions. Revisions stemming from the working group would mark the first time in 10 years that the HERD indicator was the focus of a review and revisions.

News Bites

News Briefs

Report makes case for university public funding

Call for lifting tuition caps at Quebec universities

Feds commit to $170-million overhaul of DRDC Valcartier

GreenCentre Canada provides POP funding

NRC agreement amended to focus on cellulosic ethanol

Sick Kids robotic arm project receives another $10 million

Quebec research program on cancer risk receives $30M

People

Douglas Robertson

Allison Barr

Number 2 / Volume 24 / February 19, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

There are a lot of things the rest of Canada could learn from the Waterloo region. With a combination of entrepreneurial savvy and collaboration, the area’s high-tech sector is booming and holds considerable upside potential as it builds a powerful niche within digital media.

Waterloo region defies odds with growth of high-tech sector, focus on digital media

Focus on Waterloo, Part I

“The patient is healthy.” That’s the consensus of Iain Klugman, president of Communitech, the unapologetic booster of all things high tech in the Waterloo region. With a handful of large, homegrown tech companies, the presence of several multinationals and a growing cadre of smaller firms, Waterloo’s tech sector is on a steep growth curve, with an accent on digital media and benefitting from a remarkable collaboration between key players.

The Ninth Annual RE$EARCH MONEY Conference

“Industrial R&D: Is Canada Really Lagging”
March 25, 2010 at the National Arts Centre

The large industrial research lab is no longer the norm. Multinational firms now globally distribute their R&D and collaborate with partners in public and private sector institutions.

CANARIE president Guy Bujold resigns two years into five-year term

CANARIE has been hit with another high-level resignation with the unexpected departure of Guy Bujold, its president and CEO, less than two years into a five-year term. Bujold stepped down February 1st — effective immediately — for “personal reasons”.

Use vouchers to stimulate ICT adoption: ITAC study

Canada should follow the lead of many European countries and introduce a voucher program and other direct grant-based measures to entice small and medium businesses to adopt information and communications technologies (ICT), states a new report from the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC).

Opinion Leader:
David Crane

David Crane

Canada needs to take innovation seriously
By David Crane

If you want an example of a country that takes innovation seriously, consider South Korea. Samsung, in a partnership with Korea Electric Power, recently landed a $7 billion initiative in Ontario to build 2500 megawatts of wind and solar power and establish four factories with 1,440 manufacturing jobs.

CMC Microsystems scores $40 million from NSERC to enhance National Design Network

CMC Microsystems has received $40 million to maintain and enhance its National Design Network, (NDN) effectively renewing its core funding for the next five years beginning in FY10-11. The funding was provided to CMC through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), which has supported the organization since its inception in 1984.

Alberta Budget provides $188 million to fund Alberta Innovates corporations

Surplus expected by FY12-13

Alberta has allocated $188 million to support the operations of Alberta Innovates (AI), its new structure for provincial research, innovation and technology commercialization.

Canadian backers of CCSIP looking to Budget for sign of long term support

Fifteen bridge-building projects between Canadian and California researchers could lead the way to a new era of collaborative R&D with commercial applications between the two jurisdictions but major obstacles make success far from certain.

Univ of Winnipeg teams with Cisco in major push to boost research capacity and funding

By Debbie Lawes

The Univ of Winnipeg hopes to significantly increase its sponsored research over the coming years by leveraging the largest industry collaboration in the institution’s history. The university — better known as an undergraduate school — has finalized $14 million in funding deals with Cisco Canada, the province and the federal government to transform the campus into a provincial hub for immersive, high-end videoconferencing with a larger focus on applied R&D and commercialization.

News Bites

News Briefs

Quebec gains ground as VC investment plunges

Climate change adaptation research initiative launched

NSERC makes strategic projects grants worth $53.5M

Chrysalix launches new early-stage clean energy fund

Obituary

People

Dr Elizabeth Cannon

Dr John MacDonald

Tim Jackson

William Anderson

Number 1 / Volume 24 / January 25, 2010

Editorial:
Mark Henderson, Editor

The buzz surrounding the prospects for S&T in the March 4th federal Budget is not good. Despite clearly defined gaps in our innovation system and the expiry of funding for a number of key programs and facilities, the ability of the Conservative government to respond in an effective and forceful manner is severely circumscribed.

Health research advocates push for balanced approach to future funding

National strategy needed

A funding imbalance facing health research in Canada could be rectified with the development and implementation of a sectoral framework and roadmap, according to Research Canada, an advocacy group for the creation of a health research strategy.

The Ninth Annual RE$EARCH MONEY Conference

“Industrial R&D: Is Canada Really Lagging”
March 25, 2010 at the National Arts Centre

The large industrial research lab is no longer the norm. Multinational firms now globally distribute their R&D and collaborate with partners in public and private sector institutions.

A Decade of S&T From the RE$EARCH MONEY Archives

2000

Upsurge in federal S&T spending (Nov 29/00)
Initial investment by Mike Lazaridis in Perimeter Institute (Nov 3/00)
Call for greater international S&T funding by ACST (Oct 23/00)
Paul Martin calls for big increase in R&D and education (Oct 2/00)
Joint task force calls for reinvestment in northern research (Oct 2/00)
Genome Canada created with $160M in federal funding (Mar 17/00)
Alberta launches Alberta Ingenuity
Feds fund Sustainable Development Technology Canada (April 7/00)
CSTA calls for urgent investment in federal S&T (April 21/00)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research officially launched (April 21/00)
PAGSE sub-group calls for foresight capacity (May 12/00)
CANARIE develops concept for CA*net4 high-speed research network (July 28/00)
Atlantic Innovation Fund launched (July 28/00)
Business schools seek research and innovation funding (Sept 1/00)

2001

Quebec releases long-awaited S&T policy (Feb 12/01)
NRC nanotechnology institute receives federal funding (Mar 19/01)
Canadian industry posts record R&D increases (June 25/01)
Government unveils skills and learning strategy (Sept 24/01)
9/11 attacks put pending Innovation Agenda in doubt (Sept 24/01)
Fed and provincial S&T ministers meet for first time in since 1992 (Oct 10/01)
University R&D entering new renaissance (Oct 24/01)
Canada’s GERD takes dramatic jump (Nov 13/01)
ITAC and SMC to merge (Nov 13/01)
RE$EARCH MONEY holds first annual conference (Nov 28/01)
NCE-styled program for federal labs proposed (Nov 28/01)

2002

DND fund to combat terrorist attacks launched (Jan 23/02)
Perimeter Institute seeking federal and provincial funding (Jan 23/02)
Canada Foundation for Innovation doles out $780 million (Feb 11/02)
CRIAQ aerospace consortium formed in Quebec (Feb 11/02)
Government releases Innovation Strategy documents (Feb 27/02)
Venture capital turns to earlier-stage deals (Feb 27/02)
CIHR sets guidelines for stem cell research (Mar 18/02)
Chretien-Martin clash threatens to derail innovation agenda (June 7/02)
Report calls for closing of science-policy divide (July 8/02)
Venture capital investment plunges (August 30/02)
ITAC report disputes objective of moving from 15th to 5th (Oct 21/02)
FINE proposal for new federal research networks withdrawn (Nov 4/02)
Group calls for $500-million investment in nanotechnology research (Nov 18/02)
National Innovation Summit produces five-point action plan (Dec 2/02)
ACST revived to assist Innovation Strategy development (Dec 202)

2003

CFI receives $500 to support research hospitals (Feb 18/03)
Research and innovation score big in federal budget (March 7/03)
Ontario targets auto sector with $625-million R&D funding package (March 7/03)
Single funding source for big science operations proposed (May 6/03)
ITER Canada bid backed by Ontario Cabinet (May 22/03)
CMC, Precarn and CANARIE lay claim to 4th pillar status (June 9/03)
Charest government cuts back on business subsidies, granting council funding (June 23/03)
Commercialization and clusters dominate Martin’s S&T agenda (August 8/03)
Taxes, talent and attitude key to higher GERD (Sept 16/03)
Shire pulls plug on former BioChem Pharma research team (Sept 16/03)
Feds pump $215 million into hydrogen economy (Oct 27/03)
Canadian innovation network proposed by Alberta Research Council (Dec 11/03)
Office of the National Sciences Advisor created (Dec 22/03)

2004

McMaster Univ receives $105 million gift for healthcare research and education (Jan 28/04)
Martin government highlights commercialization in throne speech (Feb 12/04)
Business R&D spending slow to recover from tech and dot com meltdowns (Feb 12/04)
Higher education R&D jumps 23% in FY01-02 (Feb 12/04)
OCE program consolidates, seeks greater financial clout (March 3/04)
Brunet Report recommends more private participation in Quebec VC industry (March 18/04)
David Strangway offers parting view on Canadian research and commercialization (March 18/04)
Auditor General hammers NRC’s governance structure (April 6/04)
Alberta unveils value-added strategy for economic growth (May 10/04)
Technology Partnerships Canada braces for challenges under NAFTA (May 10/04)
Denny Doyle warns of hollowing out of tech sector (May 10/04)
Stem Cell Network attempts new IP bundling strategy (July 16/04)
Ontario makes commercialization of S&T a top priority (July 16/04)
Federal spending on health R&D exceeds $5 billion (July 30/04)
ACST calls for massive increase in VC funding for seed and pre-seed (Sept 3/04)
Canadian Light Source opens for business in Saskatoon (Sept 28/04)
Canadian Academies of Science gets PM’s OK to proceed (Oct 12/04)
Spending by Top-100 R&D industry performers declines by 5% in 2003 (Oct 27/04)
Ontario commits $1.

Opinion Leader:
John Stone

John Stone

Why we should all take “ClimateGate seriously
By John Stone

Recently, in an incident referred to in the media as “ClimateGate”, the computer systems at the University of East Anglia in the UK were illegally broken into and e-mail exchanges involving scientists at the Climate Research Unit were posted on the Internet.

Lack of decision on future funding of CFCAS could spark debilitating brain drain

No new competitions since 2007

Canada’s small but influential number of climate and atmospheric science researchers could get a lot smaller if a key support organization is not quickly refunded. Repeated requests to the federal government to renew funding for the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) have so far been ignored, prompting fears that the trickle of scientists who have already left could expand into a mass exodus.

S&T progress made over last decade of S&T reveals major challenges on horizon

From the RE$EARCH MONEY archives

What a difference a decade makes. Since the dawn of the new millennium, science and technology in Canada has experienced both the exhilaration of increased investment in research capacity and the frustration of interrupted strategies and an apparent decline in priority at the federal level.

Ontario Centres of Excellence to flex financial muscle under new leadership

Leadership of Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc (OCE), one of Ontario’s key innovation engines, is being taken up by technology commercialization veteran Dr Tom Corr. Effective March 1st, Corr will move from his current position at the Univ of Waterloo and its affiliated Accelerator Centre and guide the organization which has recently expanded and taken on a wide range of new responsibilities aimed at stimulating the uptake of S&T in the province’s diverse business community.

Archive Page

Numbers

Dr Peter Hackett

News Briefs

MDS partners to develop new medical imaging tracer

Medicago USA receives DARPA endorsement

BC government helps fund new TRIUMF accelerator

Westport acquires Italy's OMVL for US$23.4 million

Bioniche signs agreement for veterinary technology

Nanotech agreements inked between Quebec & Japanese

Solar energy powers up GreenStar Network

People

Dr Kevin Smith 2010

Michel Kelly-Gagnon

Dr Tom Brzustowski

Dr Alison Symington

Jeffrey Crelinsten

News Briefs

NSERC announces latest CREATE awards

New pan-Canadian cancer research strategy released

Lignol Innovations joins NSERC research network

Amorfix teams with PREVENT for vaccine candidates

OCAD receives university status

Project launched to produce algae-based biofuel

People

Dr Axel Meisen

Dr Michael Charles

Dr Denis Briére

Alain Beaudet

News Briefs

ICT mentoring program launched in BC

Genome Canada launches major open competition

Teva invests $56 million in Canadian production facility

CDRD and Prostate Centre to collaborate on R&D

CCIP announces $15 million for 12 collaborative projects

People

Dr Gilles Brassard

Paul Dufour

News Briefs

Clean tech sole bright spot in dismal VC investment activity

Genome Canada launches two targeted competitions

Ford signs on as GreenCentre Canada industry partner

Alberta and Li Ka Shing fund new virology institute

CFI's Leaders Opportunity Fund awards $27.9 million

People

Dr Gary Albach

Dr Paul Lasko

Pardeep Ahluwalia

Gerry Remers

News Briefs

Huawei Technologies opens Ottawa R&D Centre

Research In Motion snaps up Ottawa-based QNX Software

Ontario highlights 3D technology development

AG cites AAFC for delays in implementing S&T strategy

U of T uses CANARIE to archive holdings

People

Elizabeth Dowdeswell

Dr Janusz Kozinski

Kevin Lynch

Dr Gilles Patry 2010

Dr Calvin Stiller

Dr Peter Liu

Bill Buxton

News Briefs

Research In Motion breaks $1-billion R&D plateau

CANARIE facilitates OICR cancer research efforts

Japan to unveil new growth strategy

SSHRC awards four new MCRI grants

AAFC provides $6 million for beef R&D projects

OST tracks differing types of research collaboration

People

Dr Hany Moustapha

John McDougall

Guy Levesque, 2010

Iain Stewart

Alex Navarre

News Briefs