Details on transfer payment programs

Ongoing

Contribution

Estimates

2018-19

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Innovative businesses grow

Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in Government priority areas

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation
Metrology

By representing Canada on the international metrology stage through its affiliation with the BIPM and associated regional metrology organization Sistema Interamericana de Metrologia (SIM), the NRC is able to more effectively and efficiently respond to its mandated responsibility for maintenance of national measurement standards, as articulated in the NRC Act and the Weights and Measures Act.

By maintaining international recognition in measurement science through its interactions with the BIPM and SIM, NRC can continue to provide metrology research and services that help transform ideas into market-ready technologies that benefit Canadian society, the economy and the environment.

2015‑16

Continuation

2020-21

International organizations and foreign countries. Bureau international des poids et mesures (BIPM) is an annual assessed contribution reflecting Canada's status as a State Party to the Metre Convention Treaty since 1907.

The NRC participates in the activities and meetings relative to the Bureau international des poids et mesures and associated regional metrology organization Sistema Interamericana de Metrologia (SIM).

The NRC provides professional expertise and laboratory facilities required to deliver its metrology program to achieve socio-economic impact for Canadian citizens and businesses.

Ongoing

Grants & Contributions

Estimates

2018-19

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Innovative businesses grow

Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in Government priority areas

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program

Provides grant and contribution funding for external collaborators with complementary capabilities (e.g. small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), post-secondary institutions and non-profit research organizations). The program is comprised of 1) NRC Collaborative Research & Development (R&D) initiatives – funding external collaborators working with NRC researchers on projects that make up a series of large-scale collaborative R&D programs in priority areas; 2) the Ideation Fund – funding external collaborators working with NRC personnel to encourage, test and validate transformative self-directed, exploratory research ideas; and 3) the Outreach Initiative – funding to support conferences, workshops, symposia or other outreach initiatives, in order to promote engagement of Canadians, particularly those in under-represented groups, interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Enable new and potentially disruptive technologies to be developed with targeted recipient groups.

Strengthen collaborations across industry, academia and governmental levels to address issues of national importance related to the Canadian economy and quality of life, and to find solutions to some of Canada's serious public policy challenges.

Create stronger innovation ecosystems in specific sectors currently experiencing gaps.

Not applicable (new program)

Not applicable

2023-24 (five-year cycle)

Academic organizations, SMEs; Not-for-Profits; Canadian government departments, agencies, crown corporations, research technology organizations; international organizations; social enterprises; Indigenous governments; individuals; non-Canadian recipients.

For NRC Collaborative R&D Initiatives, potential collaborators, stakeholders and eligible recipients will be invited by the NRC to participate in designing the R&D focus as well as proposed projects intended to achieve outcomes for each specific initiative. External researchers will be invited to work with NRC researchers to develop team proposals to compete for project funding. Projects are being selected against criteria such as research excellence, impact, collaborations, and feasibility/ probability of success.

For the Ideation Fund, annual open calls within the NRC are launched for individuals or small teams to submit proposals to conduct exploratory research with collaborators. Projects are being selected against criteria such as: research excellence, innovation/creativity, deliverables, collaboration and feasibility.

2017-18

The first NRC challenge posted in December 2017, to coincide with the Program launch.

2021-22

Grant and Procurement

Estimates

The NRC received authority for the Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED) led Ts&Cs for Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) grants in 2017-18 (January 2018).

ISC is an ISED-led program, with NRC as one of twenty federal departments mandated to participate. Program results will be reported by ISED.

ISC is an ISED-led program, with NRC as one of twenty federal departments mandated to participate.

At the NRC, this ISED-led program is administered by NRC IRAP.

ISC is a grant and procurement program that enables participating departments and agencies to support the scale-up of Canadian small businesses through early-stage, pre-commercial R&D. The Program allocates a portion of departmental funding to:

• Fuel the development and adoption of technological innovation in Canada.
• Grow Canadian companies through direct funding to support early stage, pre-commercial R&D, late stage prototypes, and to accelerate commercialization.
• Encourage procurement from companies led by under-represented groups, such as women, Indigenous, youth, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ and others.
• Foster greater industry-research collaboration through the release of challenges for solutions that address key Government of Canada priorities.
• Provide federal departments and agencies with opportunities to develop new capabilities to meet their research and development needs and thereby advance government priorities.

The expected results of the ISC Program are aligned with the priorities of the Innovation Skills Plan (ISC) to grow domestic small businesses in the innovation economy and deliver on three key areas for action:

• People and Skills: This program will help build a culture of innovation in Canada, where Canadians see opportunity to take smart risks and embark upon the paths of discovery that lead to entrepreneurship and inclusive growth. ISC will help increase the number of science and technology-related jobs in the Canadian economy by allowing small Canadian businesses greater access to government procurement, which can develop and grow the expertise of scientists, engineers, and business people, create high-quality jobs and retain talent in the country.
• Research, Technology, Commercialization: The ISC program offers small businesses the opportunity to find customers who are willing to design, develop, test and adopt their innovations; willing to support R&D and understand how collaboration helps advance and bring leading-edge technologies to market. As a result, the ISC will support the ISP by increasing the value spent on business-led R&D, as well as, increasing the number of research collaborations between industry and with research institutes.
• Companies, Investment, Scale-Up and Clean Growth: The ISC program will offer opportunities for Canadian companies to grow domestically, provide wins, and gain experience to compete internationally. By being a marquee customer through ISC, the government will be supporting companies by increasing the number of firms achieving high growth and increasing the dynamism of the Canadian economy.

Not applicable

Not applicable

No firm date has been set for the first ISC program evaluation. ISED plans to lead an internal review of ISC in March 2020.

SMEs

As one of 20 participating federal government departments, the NRC submits challenges to ISED for posting. NRC IRAP works with NRC Research Leads to:

• Assess and select proposals for funding.
• Engage clients by developing and managing grants or contracts for proof of concept to prototype development.

September 1, 2018 (T&Cs renewal date; original start date: April 1, 1965)

Ongoing

Contribution

Estimates

2018-19

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Innovative businesses grow

Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in Government priority areas

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation

Program: Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

The program contributes to the growth and prosperity of Canadian SMEs by stimulating innovation, adoption and/or commercialization of technology-based products, services, or processes in Canada. This is done through: 1) technical and related business advice and networking facilitated by a cross-Canada network of field professional staff; 2) cost-shared merit-based contributions; and 3) contributions supporting employment of post-secondary graduates. [This program has the following streams: Contributions to Firms; Contributions to Organizations; and Youth Employment Program (YEP)].

NRC IRAP supports the placement of graduates in SMEs through its participation in the delivery of YEP sponsored by Employment and Social Development Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS).

Recipients are not required to repay funds obtained under this transfer payment program.

• Stimulation of innovation in SMEs in Canada.
• Increased growth of innovative SMEs and creation of wealth for Canada

See the Main portion of the NRC's Departmental Plan for additional plans pertaining to NRC IRAP.

2017-18

Continuation

2021-22

Industry-related — For-profit businesses (SMEs) and Non-profit Organizations

NRC IRAP is a national program managed on a regional basis with over 255 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) located in approximately 120 communities across the country, who provide customized advice to growth oriented technologically innovative SMEs. ITAs are engaged with client SMEs throughout the entire contribution management process, from building project proposals through to project completion.

At the end of their funded project, recipients are required to complete an online Post-Project Report. This assessment captures information on the recipient's experience with NRC IRAP and, along with published service standards, is used by the program to develop continuous program improvements.

NRC IRAP has an Advisory Board composed of 10 to 12 members from the industry sector and industry associations. This Board provides advice to NRC IRAP management and brings an external perspective on the strategic directions and management of the program.

NRC IRAP is actively engaged with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Grants and Contributions Reform. Participation in workshops and constant alignment with recent TBS policy and guidelines has enabled the program to steadily move toward principles such as a Recipient Engagement Strategy.

1958

Ongoing

Grant

Estimates

2011-12

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation

International Affiliations

Canada's membership in international science and technology (S&T) organizations promotes international market-oriented research and innovation, networking, advocacy, leadership and benchmarking opportunities as well as access to research and benchmarking possibilities, enabling Canadian science, technology, and industry to remain competitive.

• Enhance the NRC's international visibility and Canada's reputation as a global leader in science, technology and innovation (STI).
• Enhance Canadian influence in solidifying interdisciplinary science based global policy making.
• Contribute to Canadian STI leader development via ISC opportunities for leadership development and leadership opportunities implementing EDI approaches.
• Increase market-oriented innovation opportunities to Canadian SMEs and export growth via global value chains to ensure Canadian excellence and competitiveness.

2015-16

Continuation

2020-21

International organizations and foreign countries. (Foreign recipients which are international S&T organizations having two or more states as members. As well, non-foreign recipients are non-governmental Canadian delegates who attend related meetings hosted by these foreign recipients).

An in-depth engagement took place over 2019-20 with representatives of each Canadian National Committees (CNCs) that has assessed evolving priorities, most valued benefits of the program to participants and perceived needs of each international affiliation's CNC.

It is foreseen that further ongoing dialogue will take place over the next couple of years with existing CNCs to gauge their desired level of international participation as well as with other potential applicants.

In addition, further engagement with international affiliations management will take place to gauge achievements and plans. This will inform the Canadian STI management community of the science diplomacy needs of Canadian practitioners in light of track records of international affiliations and of associated level of required support.

Moreover, a regular, selective engagement will take place including completion of a reporting questionnaire.

1978

Ongoing

Contribution

Estimates

2015-16

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Innovative businesses grow

Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in Government priority areas

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation

Program: Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics

Astronomy is a global science. The increasing cost of leading-edge observatories and the scarcity of ideal observation sites have led to a greater focus on international collaboration for large-scale astronomy projects which lead to advances in our knowledge and understanding of the universe.

The NRC, in collaboration with other international bodies, provides financial contributions to support the management and operations of offshore ground-based observatories and their related facilities, including the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), the twin telescopes of the Gemini Observatory and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). The NRC participates in the oversight and direction of these facilities and their research capabilities. The NRC also represents Canada in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) consortium for the pre-construction phase of the telescope. In 2015, Canada joined the international partnership to participate in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The NRC, on behalf of Canada, provides both financial and in-kind contributions.

International agreements governing these observatories are long-term commitments that specify contributions to support preconstruction design and development, construction, operation and maintenance, capital improvements (e.g., development of new astronomical instruments and other facility upgrades) and decommissioning of the international ground-based observatories and their related facilities. In addition, they include commitments to support the university-based user communities to ensure a fair and progressive use of these observatories. The NRC participates in the governance of these international facilities on behalf of the Canadian astronomy research community and provides appropriate support, including sophisticated data management services and instrumentation. Through the NRC's financial and in-kind contributions, the Canadian astronomy community is assured merit-based access to these facilities with appropriate support.

Recipients are not required to repay funds obtained under this transfer payment program.

• Canadian astronomers have access to leading-edge facilities and technology.
• Qualified students and post-doctoral researchers have access to facilities to advance their training.
• Canada plays a prominent role in international scientific endeavours.
• Scientific benefit of telescopes to the Canadian and the global community is maximized through progressive science programs using leading-edge instrumentation.
• Canadian industry has opportunities to participate in advanced scientific projects and opportunities to benefit from contracts and technology development.

2016-17

Continuation

2021-22

Foreign States, intergovernmental organizations or corporations that operate international observatories that have entered into agreements with Canada (NRC) to support costs related to ground-based astronomical observatories. In the case of intergovernmental organizations, Canada and one or more foreign states are members. An eligible recipient can be a Canadian Crown Corporation or other delivery partner.

The NRC manages observatories established or maintained by the Government of Canada for the benefit of the Canadian astronomy research community, aligning its contributions to the priorities of the community's Long Range Plan for Astronomy and Astrophysics. The NRC participates on the Boards which oversee the observatories to ensure that the science directions and programs of the facilities reflect Canadian strengths and interests. In addition, the NRC ensures that these activities increase opportunities for Canadian researchers and firms to develop relevant instrumentation for the observatories. To carry out its roles effectively, the NRC provides current information about each observatory to research community-based committees of scientists which provide expert advice on observatory operations and development. The NRC provides extensive support to the user community through numerous services extending from administering the time allocation process for Canadian researchers through to delivery of science-ready data (through its Canadian Astronomy Data Centre).

April 1, 1977

Ongoing

Contribution

Estimates

2015-16

Scientific and technological knowledge advances

Innovative businesses grow

Evidence-based solutions inform decisions in Government priority areas

Core Responsibility: Science and Innovation

Program: TRIUMF

TRIUMF is Canada's particle accelerator centre. The laboratory is one of Canada's key investments in large-scale research infrastructure. It provides world-class facilities for research in sub-atomic physics, accelerator science, life sciences, and materials science. A consortium of 20 Canadian universities (14 full members and six associate members) owns and operates TRIUMF. TRIUMF receives its federal operational funding through the NRC in five-year allocations via a contribution agreement. The NRC plays an important oversight and stewardship role for TRIUMF on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Recipients are not required to repay funds obtained under this transfer payment program.

TRIUMF will support the Canadian and international particle and nuclear physics community in alignment with the 2017-2021 Canadian Subatomic Physics Long Range Plan, as well as the laboratory's Five-Year Plan (2020-25).

Over the first year of the new Five-Year Plan, TRIUMF will begin delivering impact across the three core dimensions of Science and Technology, People and Skills, and Innovation and Collaboration. TRIUMF expects to:

• Conduct world-class science across TRIUMF's core programs.
• Advance completion of the ARIEL facility, which will produce rare isotopes for science, business, and medicine.
• Lead and participate in international research collaborations and facilitate the exchange of global talent.
• Support the development of new industry and community partnerships in pursuit of increased economic and societal benefits for Canada.
• Streamline processes and improve operational efficiency.

2018-19

Continuation

2023-24

Non-profit organizations (TRIUMF)

The NRC chairs the Agency Committee on TRIUMF (ACT), which includes the federal agencies that fund and oversee activities at TRIUMF, providing TRIUMF management the opportunity to present progress and discuss future directions for the facility.

The NRC also manages the Advisory Committee on TRIUMF (ACOT), composed of international experts within disciplines that span the research and technology activities of TRIUMF. ACOT reports its findings to the NRC and TRIUMF senior management twice annually, making recommendations on programs and management as well as reporting on the scientific and technological achievements of TRIUMF programs and facilities. Observer representatives from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canadian Institute of Nuclear Physics, the Canadian Institute of Particle Physics, the materials science community and TRIUMF's user community ensure that TRIUMF's directions are well aligned with the research community's needs and that TRIUMF is working with all its constituencies across Canada. The Committee considers all aspects of the TRIUMF program, with a particular emphasis on science and technological issues to ensure the relevance, impact, and world-class standing of TRIUMF's activities.

Through NRC activities in ACT and ACOT, the NRC maintains a close relationship with TRIUMF. Dialogue ensures that Government of Canada investments are optimal, and that the NRC meets the needs of its recipient, as well as provides a vehicle for feedback on the transfer payment management process.

TRIUMF has approximately 430 staff and students supported via NRC's contribution agreement. An additional 128 positions are supported through other sources for specific designated purposes, including temporary funds to operate new capital infrastructure. In total, TRIUMF provides training for more than 200 undergraduate, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows per year. TRIUMF has numerous programs aimed at young people, students, teachers, and the general public to ensure that as many as possible share the wonder of discovery and experience the excitement generated by one of Canada's premier laboratories. In addition, TRIUMF offers a suite of programs to aide in the growth and development of professional skills for its graduate students and postdocs.