For Professors – Overview – Partnerships Programs

Research Partnership Agreements (RPA) With Canadian Government Departments and Agencies

The following programs have been established through Research Partnership Agreements signed with several Canadian federal government departments and agencies.

The objective of these programs is to build strong linkages between the private sector and researchers in universities and federal institutes and to create synergy among the partners. Applications may be submitted at any time using Forms 100, 101, and 183A.

These programs can also accept group applications which include co-applicants from postsecondary institutions.

National Research Council (NRC)/NSERC Research Partnership Program

The partnership agreement between the National Research Council (NRC) and NSERC has ended as of July 23, 2004, and no new applications to the NRC/NSERC Research Partnership Program will be accepted. This now includes applications related to fuel cells and hydrogen. Existing commitments to this program will be honoured.

Program Contacts

Department of National Defence (DND)/NSERC Research Partnership Program

This program supports research projects and research programs that:

• capitalize on the complementary R&D capacity existing in the universities and in DND to generate new knowledge and support the development of new technical capabilities relevant to the development and application of dual-use technologies in selected areas of interest to both DND and NSERC;
• build strong two- and three-way linkages and create synergy between researchers in DND and universities and the private sector;
• achieve the efficient and effective transfer of research results and technology to identified receptors in the public and private sectors; and
• train and develop highly qualified personnel in priority areas consistent with the future human resource requirements in the public and private sectors.

Grants are awarded for support of university-based research carried out in collaboration with DND and Canadian-based companies. Approved activities may be supported for up to five years and a maximum of $500,000 per project. Funding may be provided on a 2:1 basis with both cash and in-kind contributions recognized. In exceptional cases the requirement for industrial participation may be waived.

Proposals should address defined priority research areas related to the development of non-weapon specific technologies with dual-use applications relevant to DND and with broader commercial applications.

Program Description and Instructions to Applicants

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)/NSERC Research Partnerships Program

This program supports university-based research and research training that involves collaboration with Canadian industry and that addresses priority areas in the agriculture and agri-food sector.

The industrial partner's contributions should represent at least one third of the project cost. In-kind and cash contributions are recognized. Projects will be approved for terms of up to five years. The program supports research in the following areas: Environmental Health, Sustainable Production Systems (Animal and Plant), Bioproducts and Bioprocesses, and Food Safety and Quality.

Program Description and Instructions to Applicants

Canadian Forest Service (CFS)/NSERC/Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Forest Research Partnerships Program

The broad objectives of this joint program are to promote the sustainable development of forests, the forest industry, and the communities that depend on the forests. It is intended that the research will help integrate environmental, social and economic values, while allowing stakeholders to better understand the complexity of the ecosystem and the importance of this valuable natural resource.

CFS, NSERC, and SSHRC will together provide funding for university-based research that involves collaboration with Canadian-based non-academic users of research results in both the public and private sectors. CFS/NSERC/SSHRC may contribute a maximum of two dollars for each dollar invested by the sponsor(s) of which at least 50 percent must come from Canadian-based profit-making organizations.

Proposals for research should fall within CFS’s defined priority areas. Projects are funded for up to three years.

Program Description and Instructions to Applicant