Research into biofuels, the marine environment and health care technologies for the elderly will receive $73.8 million over the next five years as the winners of the latest Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) competition, bringing the number of NCE-funded networks to 17. The new networks were chosen from a field of nine full applications (see chart) that in turn were drawn from 33 letters of intent.

The new additions to the NCE program were part of a targeted competition open to research networks that addressed the four priority areas (and 13 sub-priority areas) of the 2007 federal S&T Strategy. The only priority area that did not receive a new network is information and communications technologies (ICT), but acting associate VP Lisa Drouillard says each of the successful networks includes ICT elements.

The competition is also notable in that the three winning networks had to comply with an "additional parameter" calling for "a solutions driven component involving end users". NCEs are now eligible for 15 years of funding in three, five-year increments The third installment is contingent upon networks demonstrating they are partner-driven, and receive significant cash and in-kind support from receptor communities.

Biofuels

The McGill Univ-based Canadian Research Integration & Innovation in Biofuels Sustainability Network (BioFuelNet Canada) received $24.9 million to pursue research in an attempt to make 25% of fuel used in Canada derived from renewable biomass sources such as switchgrass, algae, sewage, trash and processed paper waste. Situated at the new Quartier de l'Innovation (a joint venture between McGill and École de technologie supérieure), the network engages 100 researchers from 25 institutions divided into four regional platforms. The scientific director is Dr Donald Smith, a plant science professor at McGill.

marine environment

The Dalhousie Univ-based Marine Environmental Observation, Prediction and Response Network received $25 million to pursue a multi-faceted research mandate. It will work to develop a prediction system for storm surges and other weather-related events in port centres such as Halifax and Vancouver and create a mobile data collection system to be used for specific tasks such as oil spill sites. The network will engage more than 40 researchers and 40 industry, public service and academic partners. The scientific director and CEO is Dr Douglas Wallace.

health care technologies for the elderly

Queen's Univ received $23.9 million for the Technology Evaluation in the Elderly Network (TECH VALUE NET). More than 40 researchers from 19 institutions will pursue research to assess both low-tech and high-tech health care technologies for seriously ill elderly patients. Outcomes include saving lives, improved quality of life, increased patient and family satisfaction and increased quality of the dying process. The science director is Dr Daren Heyland, a Queen's professor of medicine.

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