Table 1: Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

Astronomy has become 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.

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). NRC participates in the oversight and direction of these facilities and their research capabilities. 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). 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. 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 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.

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. 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, 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, NRC provides current information about each observatory to research community-based committees of scientists which provide expert advice on observatory operations and development. 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 national laboratory for nuclear and particle physics, and accelerator-based science. 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 19 Canadian universities (12 full members and 7 associate members) owns and operates TRIUMF. TRIUMF receives its federal funding through NRC in five-year allocations via a Contribution Agreement. NRC plays an important oversight and stewardship role for TRIUMF on behalf of the Government of Canada. TRIUMF was allocated $267.3M 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.

• Advancing the construction of TRIUMF's flagship Advanced Rare Isotope Laboratory (ARIEL). Following the successful completion of the first phase of the project in 2014, full funding for the second phase (ARIEL II) was confirmed in October 2016. Once completed, ARIEL's new accelerator and target facilities – together with the main cyclotron and ISAC facility at TRIUMF – will solidify Canada's place as a global leader in the production and study of rare isotopes for science, medicine, and business.
• Supporting extraction and analysis of data from the T2K experiment in Japan, which studies the elusive properties of neutrinos, providing insights into the earliest moments of the universe.
• Assisting with Canadian participation in research and experiments at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN).
• Constructing and commissioning the Canada-Japan Ultra-Cold Neutron source at TRIUMF, which is designed to enable higher precision measurement of neutron properties for improving the understanding of the laws of physics.
• Strengthening Canada's position in personalized medicine and the use of isotopes in life sciences through collaborations with clinical partners such as the British Columbia Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia.

• Producing world-class science across TRIUMF's core programs and advancement of the ARIEL facility.
• Continuing to attract and retain global talent, and continued support for international research collaborations and partnerships.
• Growing TRIUMF's industry and community linkages with the objective of increasing the economic and societal benefit delivered to Canada.
• Enhanced operational efficiency through the continuous improvement of project management procedures, the refreshment of safety processes, and the reassessment of human resource requirements against the needs of the laboratory's core program.

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

NRC also manages the Advisory Committee on TRIUMF (ACOT), composed of international experts within disciplines that cover the research and technology activities of TRIUMF. ACOT reports its findings to NRC twice annually, making recommendations on programs and management as well as reporting on the scientific and technological achievements of TRIUMF programs and facilities. Representatives of the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institute of Nuclear Physics and the Canadian Institute of Particle Physics are observer members who ensure that TRIUMF's directions are well aligned with the research community's needs and that TRIUMF is working with all constituencies of the Canadian sub-atomic 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&T programs. Both ACT and ACOT engage in extended discussions with TRIUMF's management, ensuring that investments made on behalf of the research community are optimal.

Through NRC activities in ACT and ACOT, NRC maintains a close relationship with TRIUMF. Dialogue is maintained between NRC and the recipient to ensure that investments made by the Government of Canada are optimal, and that NRC meets the needs of its recipient as well as providing a vehicle for feedback on the transfer payment management process.

TRIUMF has 402 staff, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students supported through the TRIUMF contribution agreement. An additional 112 positions are funded through other sources. In total, TRIUMF provides training for approximately 150 to 200 undergraduate, graduate students, and post doctoral fellows per year.

TRIUMF operates a strong outreach program with multiple points of entry. By connecting with young people, students, teachers, and the general public, TRIUMF is building a thriving base of engagement that leverages its unique facilities to build awareness and excitement around the laboratory's world-leading science program. In parallel, TRIUMF actively invests in the growth and development of the future generations of talent through professional skills development for its student and postdocs communities.

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

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 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.

• Early-stage firms have access to innovation support services.
• Early-stage firms improve investment readiness.
• Wealth creation in Canada.