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Dalhousie Univ is dramatically increasing its capacity to conduct and apply life sciences research with the realization of its Life Sciences Research Centre (LSRI). To be anchored by The Brain Repair Centre (BRC), the new facility was the surprise recipient of federal funding earlier this year under the Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research (CECR) program.

Focus on Atlantic Canada innovation

Atlantic Canada-based technology firms must reach out globally to overcome the region’s shortcomings. That was a strong message delivered at the Second Regional Atlantic RE$EARCH MONEY Conference, which featured a diverse slate of national and international speakers and panelists.

S&T champions, skilled people, focus, partnerships and research excellence are critical if Canada is to successfully compete in a rapidly evolving global economy, says the parliamentary secretary to Industry minister Jim Prentice.

Five young Canadians examining the relationship between venture capital (VC) and university technology transfer offices (TTOs) are calling for clear university equity and intellectual property policies, a re-organization of TTO structures and practices, new metrics to measure start-up success and government assistance to help bridge the proof-of-principle funding gap.

A new brochure outlining collaborative science, technology and innovation (ST&I) activity between Canada and Africa is helping to highlight the international dimension of many Canadian government organizations.

Researchers at the Univ of British Columbia dominated the NSERC Synergy Awards for Innovation, picking up four of the seven 2007 awards. University researchers and their corporate partners received the awards and cash prizes on October 29th at a gala dinner in Ottawa.

Now examining intellectual property

Nearly four years of work by the Office of the Auditor General (AG) on Canada’s 1996 science and technology strategy has been abandoned following the release of a new S&T framework earlier this year (R$, May 31/07).

The board of the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network (CLLRNet) will meet in the next few days to decide on a future course of action following its failure to secure continued funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program.

Alberta is moving forward on the implementation of a provincial science and technology (S&T) strategy that aims to take full advantage of the province’s resources and knowledge assets by focusing on a select number of key priority areas.

Competition for the latest new federal R&D program has begun with the launch of the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (B-NCE) program. With a budget of $46 million over four years, B-NCE is designed to support up to five large-scale collaborative networks to the tune of $2 million per year.