DEADLINE: March 2, 2009
The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) invites eligible applicants to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2009 NCE Competition for new networks.
The 2009 NCE Competition has significant differences from all previous NCE competitions. The NCE Secretariat is available to address applicants' questions or provide additional clarification.
Budget:
The 2009 Competition has a target budget of $75M over five years. It is anticipated that three to four networks may be funded and begin operations in 2009. These networks will be eligible to receive funding for up to two five-year terms for a total of 10 years. For networks funded for the full 10 years, a third (and final) term could be available where the network has developed and built on its partnerships to progressively transform itself into a partner-driven network.
Targets and Framework:
The NCE Program is aligned with the federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage. Introduced in May 2007, this Strategy provides the guiding framework for Canada's science and technology policy.
The S&T Strategy established four priority areas. In 2008, a report by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) established by Industry Canada recommended 13 further research sub-priority areas, which were accepted by the Government of Canada. The NCE Steering Committee has determined that these 13 sub-priorities will be targeted for the 2009 NCE Competition.
These priorities and sub-priorities are:
Environmental science and technologies:
- water (health, energy, security)
- cleaner methods of extracting, processing and using hydrocarbon fuels, including reduced consumption of these fuels
Natural resources and energy:
- energy production in the oil sands
- Arctic (resource production, climate change adaptation, monitoring)
- biofuels, fuel cells and nuclear energy
Health and related life sciences and technologies:
- regenerative medicine
- neuroscience
- health in an aging population
- biomedical engineering and medical technologies
Information and communication technologies:
- new media, animation and games
- wireless networks and services
- broadband networks
- telecom equipment
The 2009 NCE Competition is looking for a balanced portfolio of networks, and is therefore expecting to support a maximum of one new network in a given S&T priority area. New networks must address one or more of the STIC sub-priority areas.
Deadlines:
NCE funding will be awarded following a national competitive process in two stages:
- Applicants applying for NCE funding to establish a new network are invited to submit Letters of Intent by March 2, 2009.
Based on a review of the Letters of Intent, selected applicants will be invited to Stage 2.
- Applicants advancing to Stage 2 will be asked to develop and submit Full Applications by August 2009.
A Selection Committee will Review Letters of Intent according to the five published NCE Program criteria, relevance to the NCE Program goals and objectives and the relevance to the target research area. This Committee will recommend applicants to receive invitations to submit Full Applications.
Eligibility:
LOIs should be submitted on behalf of the proposed Network by an academic researcher (i.e., "the applicant", who is also the proposed Scientific Director for the Network) who is eligible to receive funding from one of the three federal granting agencies, and by the proposed host institution. Eligible recipients must meet the general eligibility requirements of one or more of the three federal granting agencies partnering in the Program.
Interested applicants should consult:
Letter of Intent Guide - 2009 Competition for New NCE Networks
To view these files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Letter of Intent – Application Form (Excel Format)
NCE Program Guide
* the updated NCE Program Guide will be available shortly.
Should you have any questions or inquiries regarding the 2009 NCE competition, please contact the NCE Secretariat:
Networks of Centres of Excellence
Tel: (613) 995-6010
Fax: (613) 992-7356
Email: info@nce.gc.ca
