OTTAWA – Defence Research and Development Canada announced
today a call for proposals under the federal government’s Chemical, Biological,
Radiological-Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Research and Technology Initiative
(CRTI). The initiative, administered through DRDC’s Centre for Security
Science (DRDC CSS), is designed to enhance Canada’s capacity to prevent,
prepare for, and respond to CBRNE terrorist threats through the development
of science & technology solutions.
The CRTI program was originally launched in 2002 as a five-year program. The
success of the program led to its renewal for another five years, in December
2006. As part of its renewal, the CRTI’s mandate was expanded to include
an explosives cluster as well as a focus on dual-use technologies. To date,
196 projects have been funded under the CRTI.
In this seventh round for proposals, up to $25 million will be available for
new projects addressing a range of priorities identified by federal government
departments and agencies that play a role in public safety and security. CRTI
is moving towards a capability-based approach and is therefore requesting proposals
addressing these Specified Priorities: Risk Assessment and Priority Setting,
Explosives Threats and Capabilities, Medical and Casualty Management, Public
Confidence and Socio-Behavioural Factors, Criminal and National Security Investigation
Capabilities, Security of the Food System, and System-of-Systems Approach to
Capability Management.
Proposals are sought from industry, academia, non-governmental
organizations, and government institutions for all investment priorities in
the following project categories:
Technology Acceleration: Projects that aim to more rapidly
commercialize technologies that are already in development in order to address
key capacity gaps and deliver needed technologies into the hands of first
responders in a more timely and efficient manner.
Research and Technology Development: Projects that close
the gaps in the capabilities and capacities of the science and technology
(S&T) and operational communities to effectively respond to CBRNE incidents.
Technology Demonstration: Projects
that show the usefulness of new technologies by having them tested in an
operational setting and providing the end-user with a "leave-behind" capability
which allows them to permanently integrate the knowledge and technology acquired
into their daily operations.
The CRTI selection process has two phases. In the first phase, applicants
submit brief synopses of their proposals (due by 10 September, 2007). The selection
committee evaluates each synopsis to ensure that it is aligned with CRTI investment
priorities and to identify opportunities for collaboration between proponents.
Applicants whose synopses pass the first phase of selection will then be invited
to submit a detailed proposal (due by 11 December, 2007). Projects selected
for funding will be announced in February 2008.
Participating departments and agencies have joined CRTI because their specific
mandates and expertise are key to the overall safety and security of Canadians.
The departments and agencies participating in CRTI are: Defence R&D Canada
(DRDC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., the
Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canadian
Nuclear Safety Commission, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, Health Canada, National
Research Council of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Health Agency
of Canada, Public Safety Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada,
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Transport Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat
and the Privy Council Office.
CRTI is led by the recently created DRDC Centre for Security Science, a joint
endeavour with Public Safety Canada to provide S&T services and support
to address national public safety and security objectives. The centre’s
capabilities lie in leading and administering research, development, testing
and evaluation of technologies, and identifying future trends and threats. As
well, a network of national and international S&T partners has been established
within the public safety and security communities. DRDC, an agency within
the Department of National Defence, is comprised of a national network of seven
defence research centres. The Agency works in collaboration with private industry,
allied forces and academia to respond to the needs of the Canadian Forces.
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For more information, please visit:
http://www.crti.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/en/default.asp.
For media enquiries only, please contact:
Centre for Security Science
(613)
944-8167
