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Mathematics researchers are forging strong ties to businesses that see potential in applying advanced algorithms for new micromarketing initiatives. More than 350 business representatives and students attended a recent Montreal conference on data mining to learn more about how mathematics research can increase the accuracy and success rate of direct marketing and risk mitigation techniques.

The door on Canada’s chances of hosting or participating in the international ITER fusion project closed even further last week with the decision by the European Union (EU) to rally behind France as it single site bid.

“No R&D, no future”

One of Canada’s most prominent technology entrepreneurs is reviving the call to eliminate capital gains taxes for early stage investors in technology start-ups. Terry Matthews, chairman and CEO of March Networks Corp, says angel investors need such a stimulus to ensure that emerging firms receive badly needed funding and to offset the lack of true venture capital (VC) in the market.

RE$EARCH MONEY Conference

Ensuring and maximizing return on investment (ROI) for R&D does not occur without close and constant between the R&D activity and the customers it’s intended to benefit. That was the dominant message that emerged from the third annual RE$EARCH MONEY conference – R&D Investment: Assessing the Return.

The proposal to build a new Canadian Neutron Facility (CNF) for materials research is once again moving up the national science agenda. Backers of the proposal are biding their time until the new Paul Martin Cabinet is installed before mounting a serious push for $466 million in funding.

The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is being transformed into permanent international research facility with the assistance of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s International Access Fund. The CFI is providing $38.

An ambitious commercialization initiative exploring ways to increase the number of large high-tech companies in the Ottawa region has been given a national voice with the release of a white paper by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATA).

A report on the state of federal climate change research is calling for $34 million over five years to help overcome serious deficiencies in Canada’s funding of “upstream” research that supports the country’s climate change objectives and obligations.

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program has finally unveiled its newest network — the Advanced Foods and Materials Network (AFMNet) — with funding of $22.2 million over five years. Headquartered at the Univ of Guelph and led by Dr Rickey Yada, AFMNet aims to achieve a highly degree of interdisciplinary collaboration and triple the government’s investment through funding from partners and collaborators.

Queen’s Univ has muscled its way into the top 10 ranking of Canada’s research-performing universities, posting a 48.7% annual increase in sponsored research income (SRI) in 2002 for a total of $150.