The Canadian Microelectronics Corp has rebranded itself as CMC Microsystems and received a major funding boost from its traditional core funder as the organization broadens its reach into new areas of research and training support. The new name was chosen to better reflect the convergence of several areas of research surrounding microelectronics and CMC’s intention to play a central role.

“Our strategic plan is a bold and serious document that moves CMC and Canada in the microsystems area,” says Dr Brian Barge, CMC’s president and CEO. “There is increasing evidence worldwide that this is a good position for CMC to take. The new brand reflects the era we are now in and for the future.”

Barge says CMC has undergone a rapid evolution in the nearly five years since he headed the Kingston-based organization, necessitating greater funding from more sources. Its strategic plan aims to stimulate microsystems R&D across disciplines and across Canada, as well as providing a microsystems prototyping network (R$, June 30/04). The former area is funded by Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC), which has supported CMC since its inception.

NEW DESIGN NETWORK

NSERC has approved renewed funding for CMC’s National Design Network. CMC had requested $56.4 million and reportedly received $48.5 million, a 59% increase from the $30.5 million that NSERC provided between 2000 and 2005. NSERC funding will be matched from with cash and in-kind from industry and other sources, for a proposed total budget of $158.1 million.

Neither NSERC or CMC will confirm the funding amount pending an official announcement. Acknowledgement of the new money has been delayed due to the political turmoil in Ottawa and the inability of the government to pass legislation for the last Budget. NSERC’s decision to award CMC with such a large amount is contingent upon the granting agency receiving an effective $21.8-million increase contained in the Budget (R$, March 9/05).

Other key aspects of CMC’s strategic plan remain unfunded, however, and negotiations are ongoing to secure new sources of funding. These include two major infrastructure projects and two network initiatives, including the prototyping network.

“Those components of the strategic plan are still a work in progress,” says Barge, adding that CMC has already issued a call for expressions of interest for the prototyping network. “We’re currently vetting the responses. Stakeholders say that the services we provide to universities should also be offered to industry The network is aimed between universities and products and calls for the development of distributed centres across Canada. … We would work with a lead partner towards the proposal that we put to government and others to finance the first site.”

Barge says Industry Canada or another department with an economic development mandate would be the logical source of additional funding, adding that some of the initiatives have a global component, with linkages to Taiwan and Texas.

“Canada can’t afford not to be associated with leaders in other countries if we want to benefit from opportunities,” says Barge. “We’re fully committed to our new direction. The focus we have articulated in our strategic plan one year ago is even more important now.”

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