The Honourable Mauril Bélanger Announces $3.6 Million Pilot Program to Support Community Innovation Initiatives
Ottawa, Ontario, February 12, 2004 – The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Chief Government Whip and MP for Ottawa-Vanier, on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the details of a new pilot program to support innovation initiatives by community colleges and institutes.
“Canada’s colleges are emerging as important players in the country’s innovation system,” Minister Robillard said. “This new pilot program will increase their capacity to work with local industry and businesses and to advance innovation at the community and regional level.”
Minister Bélanger said that the community innovation initiative was jointly developed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC). “It is part of NSERC’s new vision for the 21st century and underlines the Government of Canada’s continued focus on science and technology as a critical element to build a vibrant Canadian economy. Collaboration between educational institutions, the private sector and governments at all levels is essential to make Canada one of the most innovative nations in the global economy.”
The first competition for NSERC funding will take place immediately. If successful, a college can receive up to $600,000 over three years.
Colleges can use the funds to assist local businesses and companies in bringing innovations to market. The program also supports the development of the new expertise necessary to assess and exploit new technology. Eligible activities include release time for faculty to participate in projects with companies, student participation in these hands-on initiatives, and demonstrations of the feasibility of new technologies and processes.
The program contains financial incentives if NSERC funds are matched by the private sector.
NSERC President Tom Brzustowski welcomed the strong endorsement of the pilot program by the ACCC and by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, which will promote the program to companies across Canada
“When we visited colleges and institutes across the country last year, we learned that there was great enthusiasm for more college involvement in innovation, but there were barriers to their increased participation,” said Dr. Brzustowski. “We designed this program to lower some of these barriers.”
The announcement took place at an ACCC event in Ottawa.
Details of the NSERC College and Community Innovation Pilot program can be found at http://www.nserc.ca/programs/vision/college_e.htm.
NSERC is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through discovery grants and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.
For more information, contact:
Anne Alper
Manager, RPP Planning and Budget
NSERC Research Partnerships Programs
Tel.:
(613) 996-6521
E-mail:
anne.alper@nserc.ca
Caroline Arsenault
Special Assistant
Office of the Deputy House Leader
Mauril Bélanger
Tel.: (613) 996-6708
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