Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

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 Metre 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.

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).

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 6 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. The NRC manages the Advisory Committee on TRIUMF (ACOT) and heads the Agency Committee on TRIUMF (ACT). Both ACT and ACOT engage in extended discussions with TRIUMF's management, ensuring that optimal investments are made on behalf of Canada's research community. In addition, representatives from the NRC are ex officio members of TRIUMF's Board of Management and Audit Committee. TRIUMF was allocated funding in Budget 2014 and 2015 for base operations over the 2015 – 2020 period. 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 next Five-Year Plan (2020-25), which was released in fall 2018.

Expected results over the last year of the current Five Year Plan include:

• World-class science across TRIUMF's core programs.
• Progress in completing the ARIEL facility, which will produce rare isotopes for science, business, and medicine.
• Enhanced international research collaborations and exchange of talent.
• New industry and community partnerships that will deliver increased economic and societal benefits to Canada.
• Improved operational efficiency.

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 (NSERC), 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 constituencies across the Canadian subatomic physics community. 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 provide a vehicle for feedback on the transfer payment management process.

TRIUMF has about 409 staff and students supported via NRC's contribution agreement. An additional 127 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.

The Program contributes to the growth and prosperity of Canadian small and-medium sized enterprises (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 uses funding from the following transfer payments: 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 Strategy (YES).

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

• Stimulation of innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (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.

NRC IRAP is a national program managed on a regional basis with over 240 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) located in approximately 100 communities across the country, who provide customized advice to growth oriented technologically innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (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 Grants and Contributions Reform. Participation in workshops and constant alignment with recent Treasury Board Secretariat policy and guidelines has enabled the program to steadily move toward principles such as a Recipient Engagement Strategy.

The NRC will provide grant and contribution funding for investments in collaborative projects by inviting top researchers to participate to provide the necessary research expertise that does not reside within the NRC. The program is comprised of 1) NRC Collaborative Research & Development (R&D) Initiatives – funding innovators external to the NRC to work on initiatives collaboratively with NRC scientists; 2) the Ideation Fund – funding to encourage, test and validate transformative self-directed, exploratory research ideas, generated by NRC researchers and small teams of external collaborators; and 3) the Outreach Initiative – funding to underpin 1) and 2) by supporting research excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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, quality of life and solutions to some of Canada's serious public policy challenges.

Create stronger innovation ecosystems in specific sectors currently experiencing gaps.

Academic organizations, small and medium-sized Enterprises (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 Research & Development 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 a team proposal to compete for project funding. Projects will be selected against criteria that will examine: excellence, impact, collaborations, and feasibility / and probability of success.

Ideation Fund will be launched through an open call within the NRC for individuals or small teams to conduct exploratory research with collaborators. Projects will be selected against criteria that will examine: research excellence, innovation / creativity, deliverables, collaboration and feasibility.