CFI announces biggest competition in history

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is challenging academic institutions and their researchers to go to “the next level” with its biggest competition in history. The fourth competition under the Innovation Fund puts $450 million up for grabs, plus $135 million for project operation and maintenance, for a total of $585 million. The CFI is encouraging institutions to submit project proposals that meet a variety of criteria, including those leading cluster development and the commercialization of research results. The deadline for notices of intent is December 18 and complete applications along with an updated strategic research plan for each institution is due by May 30/03. Final decisions on the winning proposals are expected at the CFI’s February/04 board meeting. The first three Innovation Fund competitions have disbursed $1.32 billion.…