ISTPCanada's future uncertain as money and time run out on current mandate

One of Canada's few programs for supporting bilateral industrial R&D is set to close its doors nine years after it was introduced. Funding for International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada) will expire March 31/15 with no indication that its funder — the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) — is prepared to maintain support beyond the end of the fiscal year.

Established in 2007, ISTPCanada received $5 million annually to support R&D projects between Canadian firms and their counterparts from China, Brazil and India. DFATD provided funding through its ISTP Program. But silence surrounding the program's future is leading ISTPCanada officials to fear the worst. Compounding the situation is the federal government's decision to delay the Budget until April at the earliest as it grapples with a significant shortfall in anticipated revenue derived from oil and oil sands production.

"It's not happening unless there's a miracle. The board is now deciding what to do," says Dr Pierre Bilodeau, ISTPCanada's COO. "DFATD should have told us earlier. Do we totally close down the organization or do we keep a shell and see what's in the Budget. All the people will be gone by then."

There's a possibility ISTPCanada will be taken in house at DFATD. Bilodeau says there is $5 million in unspent funds remaining, which will be returned to the department if the organization is terminated.

DFATD silent

DFATD would not comment on the status of ISTPP. In an email, media relations spokesperson, Nicolas Doire, wrote: "The International Science and Technology Partnerships Program is undergoing a mandatory 5-year review. Given that the renewal of the program is subject to Treasury Board approval, the Department cannot comment on the outcome of this review at this stage."

ISTPCanada has already downsized and staff has shrunk since Bilodeau took over the reins last year. Last fall he told RE$EARCH MONEY there was a possibility that ISTPCanada may be merged with the Eureka office at the National Research Council's Industrial Research and Assistance Program. But that avenue also remains uncertain (R$, September 24/14).

"I spoke with (NRC president) John McDougall last week and he said he has no idea," says Bilodeau.

ISTPP and ISTPCanada received high-level support in their early years. When Brazil was added to the list of participating countries, then International Trade minister Stockwell Day lauded the program, noting its high leverage factor and pledged to push for its continuation and expansion (R$, December 12/08).

More recently, the prime minister announced renewed funding for ISTPP's partnership with China. Stephen Harper's encouraging words for the program led many to believe that an increase in the program's budget and scope were imminent. (R$, November 29/11).

Since then, ISTPCanada's profile has declined and in 2013, founding president Dr Henri Rothschild left the organization, although he continues to helm its sister organization, the Canada-Israel R&D?Foundation (CIIRDF).

There have been no new ISTPCanada projects initiated with any of the participating countries and the sponsoring department DFATD continues to experience turmoil with constant changes in ministers and DMs.

Whether industry-led international R&D continues under another guise remains an open question as many other organizations have an international S&T component, namely the granting councils, National Research Council and some line departments.

"It's a missed opportunity. Canada has a huge potential to be a technological hub," says an official who requested anonymity. "S&T is on the back burner ... Right now we're in an era of policy freeze. We can't expect any bold policy initiatives of any kind."

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