The four Networks of Centres of Excellence programs are:

• Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
• Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECRs)
• Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCEs)
• Industrial Research and Development Internship program (IRDI)

Our programs fund partnerships between universities, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations. They help turn Canadian research and entrepreneurial talent into economic and social benefits for all Canadians.

Through an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral model, our world-class Networks and Centres connect leading-edge research with industrial know-how and strategic investment. By engaging thousands of talented young researchers, our programs are attracting and training tomorrow's scientific and business leaders, ensuring that Canada remains competitive in the global economy.

Three Canadian federal granting agencies – the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research--work with Industry Canada to support the NCE initiatives. The programs are overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of the presidents of NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR, the Deputy Minister of Industry Canada and, as an observer, the President of the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Mission

“To mobilize Canada's research talent in the academic, private and public sectors, and apply it to the task of developing the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.”

The NCE mandate aligns naturally with the federal S&T Strategy, launched in May 2007, which promotes a People, a Knowledge and an Entrepreneurial Advantage for Canada.

Activities

To accomplish its goals, the NCE program:

• Runs funding competitions on a cyclical basis for its four programs, using the established, independent peer review process
• By setting clear targets and goals, monitors the progress and achievements of funded organizations to ensure they continue to meet the program's high standards and represent value to the Canadian taxpayer
• Maintains close relationships with existing and potential partners in the academic, industry, public and not-for-profit sectors

Our History

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program was created in 1989. In February 1997, the government established the NCE as a permanent program. Two years later, our budget increased by $30 million, to $77.4 million per year.

Annual funding for the original NCEs currently stands at $82.4M. In addition, budget 2007 provided funds for a greatly expanded NCE suite of programs. The federal government praised us for fostering partnerships between research institutions, government and industry and committed more than $250 million to create the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, the Business-Led NCEs and an Industrial Research and Development Internship program.

Past funded Networks

Our Impact

In 2006-07:

• The program leveraged partnership cash and in-kind investments of $59 million, including $22 million in private-sector contributions
• Our networks partnered with 830 companies, 333 provincial and federal government departments and agencies, 43 hospitals, 207 universities, and 584 organizations from Canada and around the world
• More than 6,600 researchers and Highly-Qualified Personnel (HQP) took part in NCE projects
• NCE scientists filed 110 patents and published 4,309 papers in refereed journals

In a typical seven-year cycle, the Networks, on average:

• Produce over 27,000 refereed publications
• Train more than 2,300 students in research and innovation each year
• Launch 70 spin-off companies
• File 320 patents
• Negotiate 540 licenses

Read our most recent annual report.