Networks of Centres of Excellence program looking ahead as it reaches full complement of networks under existing funding formula

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program has hit full stride with the announcement of four new networks and funding of $73.3 million over four years for a targeted competition that took more than a year to complete. With a compliment of 22 NCEs now in place, the program has grown into its $77.4-million annual budget, which was boosted by $30 million in the 1999 federal Budget. And as a key component of the government's innovation agenda, NCE officials are now looking at ways to add even more networks to the program and explore the feasibility broadening its mandate to include an explicit international component.

"It's been a very busy year for us and our next big thrust will be in the fall, says NCE director Jean-Claude Gavrel. "We'll be brainstorming to see how we can expand the program in terms of future direction, new networks and international collaboration."

Potential changes to the NCE program and more pressing concerns surrounding commercialization were the subject of a meeting last week amongst the 22 Network chairs. Among the topics of discussions was the use of the new Research Management Fund (RMF) - transition assistance for NCEs that have reached the end of their 14-year funding window. The first networks to be eligible for the RMF are the Canadian Institute for Telecommunications Research and the Mechanical Wood-Pulp Network, both of which reach the end of their mandate March 31/02. They will likely submit their applications to the RMF in the fall, which provides up to $500,000 over one or two years to sustain networking activities.

The NCE program provides funding in two seven-year phases, but each Network must demonstrate after the first four years in each phase that they are meeting the criteria set out during the initial selection process (see chart). For the other 18 networks established prior to the latest competition, 13 are undergoing or will soon be subject to some level of review in the coming months. Nine networks will be subject to assessments at the mid-way point of their Phase I or Phase II funding, while another four will be reviewed to determine whether they will proceed from Phase I to Phase II.

MANY SUBJECT TO REVIEW

The latest competition's four areas of specialization were chosen after a long process of consultation involving the NCE steering committee, government departments, the private sector and the broad research community. Once identified, the selected areas went forward as recommendations for approval by Cabinet, paving the way for the competition that wrapped up earlier this year. Due to the length of the process and delays in the announcement, money has already started to flow to the new NCEs, so while their initial funding envelope is over four years, it is being stretched over five fiscal years.

AUTO 21

This NCE conducts key research in several areas including new fuels and power train, new manufacturing processes and materials, integration of advanced electronic systems to improve safety, comfort and convenience, and vehicle safety for children and the elderly. The automotive industry is Canada's largest single business sector, accounting for more than 13% of gross domestic product, but the level of R&D conducted in Canada remains low. As the headquarters of AUTO 21, the Univ of Windsor boasts the largest concentration of automotive R&D in Canada. This Network has 207 researchers, 26 participating universities and 70 industry partners (44 from Ontario and 15 from Quebec).

STEMNET

Headquartered at the Univ of Ottawa, STEMNet brings together 55 researchers, 13 universities, nine industry partners and 11 other organizations. The researchers are comprised of basic and clinical scientists, engineers and social scientists who will collaborate to develop new therapies for chronic diseases, as well as explore the social, ethical, legal and policy issues surrounding stem cell research and therapeutics. Its board of directors will work to define social and ethical criteria for how its researchers will evaluate, select and terminate projects. It will also work closely with, and abide by guidelines being developed by an ad hoc committee on stem cell research of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

CWN

The Canadian Water Network engages 173 researchers who will focus on six research areas: policy and governance, water resources management, drinking water and health, wastewater management, infrastructure, and groundwater and sediment protection. They will be joined by 29 industrial partners and 40 other groups and agencies.

CLLRNET

This network links 96 researchers who will engage in a wide range of research focusing on improving the communication and literacy skills of children. Recent Statistics Canada data show that 20% of high school graduates lack literacy skills required for entry-level jobs, while 25% of Canadians can only read simple printed material. CLLRNet brings together 21 universities, eight companies and 44 groups and agencies.

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