Ten proposals move ahead in BL-NCE competition

Ten proposals have made the short list in the inaugural competition for Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence )BL-NCE). The groups have been invited to submit full proposals for $46 million in funding, which is expected to support up to four BL-NCEs over four years. The R&D undertaken by the Networks must be in the five priority areas associated with the federal S&T Strategy (a fifth area — management, business or finance — has been added to the original four areas). BL-NCEs are shorter term than existing NCEs and must focus on solving business R&D needs identified by the private sector. The full proposals are due August 19 with final decision to be announced in early 2009....