NRC's IRAP promotes EUREKA at BioMarine event

The National Research Council (NRC) is using this week's 4th BioMarine Business Convention in Halifax to publicize Canada's associate member status in EUREKA, a 41-nation network that supports industry-driven R&D. Canada joined EUREKA last year through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) (R$, July 5/12). Canadians can seek IRAP assistance to participate in three types of R&D projects and consortia. With the recent doubling of IRAP's budget, it is now able to fund company participation in EUREKA projects "where appropriate". The BioMarine convention brings together innovators, business leaders, investors, marine scientists, researchers, government and civil societies and has three major themes: marine natural products, aquaculture and aquafeed and marine biotechnologies. The convention is co-organized by NRC and BioTopics SAS, a French-based consulting firm focused on marine bio resources and environment. EUREKA was established in 1985 by members of the European community and has generated €10 billion in public funding and €19 billion in private investment, generating €93 billion in economic activity through more than 4,000 projects….