Will tighter security compromise scientific exchanges?

A Canadian delegation of senior science officials has cautioned the US against introducing new security policies that jeopardize cross-border scientific exchanges between universities and companies. Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development Gilbert Normand raised the issue during a Nov. 19 meeting with the science advisor to the US president, and other key officials.

“For many years we’ve had many exchanges with our industry and universities and we want to ensure that the US doesn’t do anything to stop that,” says Normand. “And we want to be sure that they won’t put pressure on us to stop exchanges with some other countries. The Canada Foundation for Innovation, for example, is investing $200 million in two new international funds to encourage international collaboration between research institutions and their scientists.

GERMANY AND NRC STRENGTHEN RESEARCH TIES

The National Research Council (NRC) is participating in a new $1.5-million annual research program with its German counterpart as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two organizations Oct. 24. Under the agreement, the NRC and the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres will contribute equally to support collaborative research projects.

The MOU coincides with the 30th anniversary of Canada’s bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation agreement with Germany. The event was also marked by a joint statement to conduct more bilateral research in the areas of photonics, new materials, agriculture, plant biotechnology and tele-medicine.

As well, the two countries committed to “intensify support for young scientists within the framework of co-operation” and “foster industrial research cooperation, particularly through the involvement of SMEs.” Canada and Germany have a long history of joint research, with more than 500 projects completed in fields such as geosciences and information technology under the 1971 umbrella agreement. Another 100 research projects are currently underway.