New Networks of Centres of Excellence pilot program has strong social sciences slant

Grooming networks for full NCE status

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is expanding its focus with the creation of five-so-called mini-NCEs that place a strong emphasis on knowledge translation. NCE New Initiatives (NCE-NI) is a modestly funded pilot program designed to give researchers time to form networks and collaborations before applying for full NCE funding. The five successful networks (out of a field of 42 applicants) will receive $400,000 annually for a maximum period of four years (subject to a mid-term review) to support networking activities, with research funding expected to come from other sources.

NCE-NI also marks the program’s return to a strong social sciences focus, after years during which the social sciences and humanities had a low participation rate. Of the five networks awarded funding, four have a strong social impact mandate, ranging from policy development to confront emerging economies (EDGE Network) to obesity prevention and treatment. The only NCE-NI without a dominant social sciences thrust is the Canadian Design Research Network, but its focus benefits from the convergence of many disciplines, some of which fall within the social sciences.

“The social sciences thrust is not a coincidence … Our evaluation showed the NCE program was unable to attract quality social sciences proposals or maintain them. In the 2003 competition there was a zero success rate for the social sciences and we lost the TeleLearning Network and HEALNet,” says Jean-Claude Gavrel, director of the NCE program directorate. “The criteria (for the NCE-NI competition) was tweaked to give higher importance to the impact side …The new networks were selected on the quality of their proposals and their approach to increase knowledge translation in specific areas.”

NCE-NI marks the second time the NCE program has attempted to expand and include a wider range of research disciplines than are typically associated with the program. Backers of the proposed NCE II program were unable to convince politicians that a full parallel program emphasizing social impact and knowledge transfer was viable.

The result is a far more modest initiative that nonetheless will be closely evaluated to ensure that it meets its objectives. An initial annual budget of $1 million was increased to $2 million when two NCEs failed to secure a second round of seven-year funding, freeing up unexpected resources.

“It’s still a pilot and there’s a lot to learn,” says Gavrel. “During their execution, how will these networks perform and build partnerships? Is the absence of research funding an issue or not? Is it conceivable to have networks that use existing support from other sources? And if they apply for full NCE status in open competition, will this program increase their probability of success?”

The concept of using the NCE-NI program as seed funding for full NCE status could solve a problem that has faced all NCEs since the program’s inception in 1989. Establishing research networks and collaborative relationships is a time consuming process that typically begins once funding starts to flow. By giving researchers time to make those connections before full funding kicks in, researchers are more likely to produce results earlier in their funding cycle. That, in turn, will help to ensure success in achieving their objectives and passing their seven-year funding renewal evaluation.

Care of the elderly is a case in point. Researchers associated with the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) NCE-NI are aiming to develop teams that combine the field of gerontology with nursing, social work, education and medicine to transfer knowledge and improve understanding in an area where there is little research. The initial steps will be time consuming, but once linkages are made, NICE should be ready to apply for full NCE status that will include research funding.

The NCE-NI program may also have an impact on how the program approaches competitions for full NCEs.

“After four years we may be able to look at full proposals in a different light. Some may be ready (for full funding) and some may go through NCE-NI,” says Gavrel.

While NCE-NI is monitored and evaluated, the NCE program itself will be the subject of a regular five-year review. The evaluation is scheduled to be completed by 2007 when it must renegotiate its terms and conditions with Treasury Board.

“The question that the program’s evaluation needs to address is where the NCE niche is. It is clearly going to be examined to determine if it has enhanced partnerships, knowledge and technology transfer and the value-added training of students,” says Gavrel.

The next full NCE competition is in 2007 targetting an to-be-determined area of research. A new open competition won’t scheduled until its review has been completed. “It depends upon the evaluation and the niche of the program,” says Gavrel. “Also, our (financial) means have not increased.”

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