The National Research Council (NRC) has received a ringing endorsement of its cluster and regional innovation strategy with $110 million over three years and the likelihood of much more to come. The new funding allows the NRC to kick-start previously announced technology clusters in photonics (Ottawa) and aluminum (Quebec), while boosting existing institutes in fuel cells (Vancouver), biodiagnostics (Winnipeg), biotechnology (Saskatoon) and the recently announced nanotechnology initiative (R$, September 5/01).