NSERC boosts targeted research funding with nine new strategic networks

The Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has added an unprecedented nine new networks to its Strategic Research Networks (SRN) program with $45 million in funding over five years. The networks were selected as part of the program's 2008 competition and bring the program's network total to 24. A smaller targeted competition is being held for 2009 with a decision on three new networks likely to be made in December.

The 2008 SRN awards support targeted research programs in the areas of energy, environmental technologies, advanced communications, biomedical technologies and safety and security. Awards are made to research teams that already have demonstrated expertise in specific areas.

"Researchers can build on the experience and knowledge already gained and establish a new network proposal. They can involve all kinds of partners and usually represent many different organizations and disciplines," says Janet Walden, NSERC's VP research partnerships programs (RPP). "We're looking for the connection between the researcher and the end user. Excellent science is the starting point and the networks must have partners and support from institutions."

The SRNs are distinguished by their combination of specialization and practicality. The Bioconversion Network, for instance, seeks to convert lignocellulosic biomass into fuel ethanol and industrial chemicals. The Strategic Network for Bioplasmonic Systems aims to shorten the time needed to diagnose and improve prognosis for lung cancer by applying bioplasmonics — an enabling technology based on optical illumination for the detection of biological molecules.

targeted funds benefit strategic networks

NSERC's RPP has seen significant increases in the last several years as the targeted nature of the programs parallels the current government's emphasis on funding priority areas of S&T. In 2007, the SRN program was opened up to social science researchers resulting in awards such as the Business Intelligence Network (BIN). Based at the Univ of Toronto, the BIN wants to establish an innovation platform for pre-competitive research in business intelligence so that the research can expand beyond its use in finance, accounting, marketing and customer care to encompass all business operations.

Recent targeted Budget increases to NSERC have also allowed the RPP to mount competitions in priority areas with significant dollars at stake. NSERC has conducted or will run special competitions in automotive ($85 million), forestry ($36.5 million), manufacturing ($31 million) and fisheries ($24 million) (all amounts over five years).

"We identified our target areas in 2004 through a national consultation process. They will be reviewed next year," says Walden. "Our Discovery Grants provide continuity of funding for researchers and the RPP provides extra funding to tackle targeted areas ... It provides critical mass for areas of research that have a larger scope than a single researcher or discipline can tackle. The networks are smaller and more focused than the Networks of Centres of Excellence but they still need a wide range of research expertise."

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