Yukon Research, Innovation and Commercialization Conference Rick Warner NSERC Pacific

1. Yukon Research, Innovation and Commercialization Conference Rick Warner NSERC Pacific January 23, 2012

2. Agenda – NSERC - A Many Splendored Agency • Overview of NSERC • Colleges and Community Innovation Program • University: Industry programs • Industrial Scholarships and Fellowships • NSERC Value Proposition • Questions

3. Vision, Mission and Goals

4. Knowledge Advantage Build on research strengths, generate new ideas Innovation NSERC: Implementing the Federal S&T Strategy Entrepreneurial Advantage Translate knowledge into wealth, wellness and well-being NSERC >1,800 company partners 29,500 students 11,800 professors Discovery People People Advantage Attract, retain and grow base of knowledge workers.

5. NSERC Multi Year Budget

6. NSERC Investments 2010-11 Total: $1.08 billion

7. Industry-Driven Collaborative R&D Program(39.2%) Strategic Partnerships Program (39.9%) RPP Budget 2011-2012 ($282.1M)* Commercialization Program (2.5%) Training in Industry Program (7%) College and Community Innovation Program (11.4%) *Does not include Networks of Centres of Excellence

8. The Five Major Programs in RPP

9. Tri-Council Program The CCI Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). CCI program is open to proposals across the spectrum of natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health

10. College Growth ACCC report indicates that: (i) 3,795 companies participated in applied research projects at Canadian colleges in 2009-10. This represents a sevenfold increase over 2005-06; and (ii) private sector investment in Canada’s colleges increased tenfold over the last four years from $4 million to $45 million in 2009-10. Polytechnics Canada report indicates that between 2008-09 and 2009-10: (i) active applied research projects during the year increased by 39%; and (ii) faculty/staff engaged in applied research increased by 34%. 10

11. Universities and Colleges in Pacific Region Universities Colleges Camosun College College of New Caledonia College of the Rockies Douglas College Emily Carr University Justice Institute of BC Kwantlen Polytechnic University Langara College North Island College Okanagan College Selkirk College Yukon College • BC Institute of Technology • The University of BC • University of the Fraser Valley • University of Northern BC • Royal Roads University • Simon Fraser University • Thompson Rivers University • Trinity Western University • Vancouver Island University • University of Victoria

12. Colleges and NSERC NSERC views the colleges as: Closely linked with industry locally and regionally Playing an important and growing role in advancing innovation Having a unique role distinct from that of universities NSERC’s goal: Assist the colleges in advancing innovation (existing programs and new mechanisms)

13. College and Community Innovation program (CCI) Innovation Enhancement Grants (IE) (Entry-Level and Five-Year) Applied Research and Development (ARD) Grants Applied Research Tools and Instrument (ARTI) Grants Technology Access Centre (TAC) Grants (pilot) Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges (IRCC) Grants College University Idea to Innovation (CU-I2I) Grants CCI – Suite of Grants

14. Objectives of CCI • Increase innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to strengthen their capacity to work with local companies, particularly SMEs • Support applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies

15. Who are eligible partners? Businesses, colleges, hospitals, public utilities, associations and government agencies Universities, and other organizations, as collaborators Who is eligible to apply? • College employees, preferably an administrator or a manager who has experience in managing grants

16. What Do Companies Typically Need? • SMEs • Quick and easy cash and financing • Short term projects to solve specific problems • HQP for expertise but limited resources to train students • Access to specialized equipment/facilities • Large Firms • Have more $ for R&D but spend less as proportion of other investments • HQP important (recruitment) • What’s on the horizon? • Med/long term projects Access to: Future, talent, world-class Access that is: ‘Fast and easy’

17. Innovation Enhancement Grant (IE) Entry-Level IE Grants (funding of up to $100,000 per year for two years) Five-Year IE Grants ($2-3M – base funding of up to $500,000 per year for the first three years and up to $400,000 for years 4 and 5) Anticipated Impacts : Encourage colleges and industry partnerships Professors and Students participating in applied R&D activities on real industry problems Increase applied research capacity and TT activities New technologies and processes adopted by local companies and other organizations

18. Applied Research and Development Grant (ARD) • provide Canadian companies access to the knowledge, expertise and capabilities available at colleges • support well-defined applied research and development projects undertaken by college researchers with their private-sector partners • No deadline • Project duration: 6 months to 3 years

19. Applied Research and Development Grant (ARD) • Three levels: • Up to $25K (six months) • Requires a new relationship, in kind contribution (no cash) • internal review, 4-6 week turnaround • Up to $75K per year (up to 3 years) • Private sector partner(s) contribute 1/3 of project costs in cash and/or in-kind • External peer review • $75K to $150K per year (up to 3 years) • Private sector partner(s) contribute ½ of project costs in cash and/or in-kind (match NSERC’s contribution) • External peer review and committee review

20. Technical merit Applied research competence Potential for innovation impact Private-sector support Contribution to the training of HQP Benefit to Canada Applied Research and Development Grant (ARD) Selection criteria:

21. ARD update as of January 10, 2012 21

22. ARD update as of January 10, 2012 22

23. Other CCI Grants • Applied Research Tools and Instrument grants (ARTI) • support the purchase of research equipment and installations to foster and enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research, innovation and training in collaboration with local companies ($7,000 to $150,000) • Technology Access Centre grants (TAC) • enhance the ability of companies, particularly SMEs, to become more productive and innovative by enabling them to readily access college expertise, technology and equipment. This access to college capabilities is intended to enhance the productivity, competitiveness and innovation of the participating SMEs (pilot in progress)

24. Other CCI Grants (cont’d) • Industrial Research Chairs (IRCC) • IRCC supports applied research leaders and the development of business-focused applied research programs at colleges (5 year terms, $100,000 - $200,000 per year) • College - University Idea to Innovation (CU-I2I) • develop and strengthen research links between colleges, universities and businesses to accelerate the development of existing company technologies and promote their commercialization (3 year grants, up to $250,000)

25. IRCC Update • Launched program on October 5, 2011 • Application deadline was November 30, 2011 • IRCC budget is ring-fenced (if funds are not used specifically for IRCC, they must be returned to TB) • Received 45 IRCC applications • Can award up to 18 Chairs in 2011-12, the remainder will be allocated through competition(s) in 2012-13 • No further competitions planned until 2016-17 25

26. IRCC Applications by Region 26

27. CU-I2I Update • Technology pull objectives (name causing confusion) • Possible University draw -> no cash requirements • Launched program on November 15, 2011 • No application deadline. Apply at anytime. • No official applications yet. Some are in preparation. • CU-I2I budget is ring-fenced (if funds are not used specifically for CU-I2I, they must be returned to TB) • Can fund $1M in 2011-12, $2M in 2012-13, and $3M for subsequent years 27

28. The Five Major Programs in RPP

29. Collaborative Research & Development Grants (CRD) • Apply any time • Up to 5 years (most are 2-3 years) • Average grant about $50,000 (can be up to $1M) • Company contributes cash (at least half of NSERC) • Company’s internal capacity is key • 85% success rate

30. New collaboration between company and researcher • Up to $25,000 from NSERC • No cash from company • IP stays with company • Straightforward application • No deadline … 3-4 week turnaround to decision • Objective is to foster a long-term collaboration (though this may not be the outcome) Engage Grants Program

31. Industrial Scholarships and Fellowships Example – Undergraduate Student Research Award –Industrial USRA-I - $4500 (NSERC) - $1125 (Company, min) - 16 week placement at company - undergraduate bachelors student in science or engineering

32. Value proposition NSERC provides a wide variety of programs that meet the varying needs of business, from short-term to long-term R&D projects. NSERC invests over $300 annually million in funds to support more than 1,500 industry-academic R&D partnerships.

33. Value proposition 1) By cost-sharing with NSERC, Canadian businesses can fund relevant R&D for as little as 17 cents on the dollar when combined with tax credits for R&D investment.

34. CRD Tax Example

35. Value proposition 2) Researchers who undertake applied research in partnership with companies are often at the forefront of their respective specialties often with recent state of the art equipment available. Companies benefit from their insights and advances.

36. Value proposition 3) All major R&D funding proposals are reviewed by experts and this can help companies ascertain whether there may be any technical or feasibility concerns/issues.

37. Value proposition 4) Links to universities and colleges can be a plus for businesses seeking investment capital, especially from private sources.

38. Value proposition 5) NSERC's industrial scholarships and fellowships allow companies to hire, at substantial savings, the appropriate level of expertise for almost any R&D task. From undergraduate students for short-term problem solving to postdoctoral fellows for longer term, and sometimes game-changing research, these highly skilled people make important contributions to their employers.

39. Value proposition 6) Since 1997, the federal government and its partners have invested more than $4 billion in university and college research infrastructure and equipment. Many of these well-equipped facilities are one-of-a-kind and would be too costly for any single company to set up and operate. University and college technical staff are on hand to help companies maximize the use of these facilities.

40. Questions & Contacts Suzanne Liou (ARD) 613-996-5984 Suzanne.liou@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Creed Millman (IE, ARTI) 613-996-4894 creed.millman@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Jack Deyirmendjian 613-996-2145 jack.deyirmendjian@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Marie Thibault (ARD, TAC, CU-I2I) 613-996-9402 Marie.thibault@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Patrick St-Pierre (IE, IRCC) 613-944-7533 Patrick.St-Pierre@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Rick Warner 604-666-8811 rick.warner@nserc-crsng.gc.ca