A major infusion of research and development (R&D) funding of $12.4 million was announced today for six innovative projects in Nova Scotia under Round VI of ACOA's flagship Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF).
The announcement was made today in Halifax by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway.
"Atlantic Canada's prosperity depends not just on meeting the challenges of today, but on building the innovative, knowledge-based economy that will create the opportunities and jobs of the future," said Minister MacKay.
"The Atlantic Innovation Fund has proven to be a powerful driver of innovation and competitiveness by helping Atlantic Canada's innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs grow their ideas into leading-edge products and technologies."
Today's announcement is part of a series of announcements to release details on 24 research and development projects that will receive $51.8 million in AIF funding throughout Atlantic Canada.
These innovative R&D projects bring together the region's universities, businesses and research institutions to conduct leading-edge research which, once commercialized, has the potential to grow Atlantic Canada's economy.
In addition to the AIF assistance of $12.4 million, project proponents are estimated to leverage an additional $9.5 million in funding from a variety of private and public sector sources, bringing the total value of the Nova Scotia projects to approximately $21.9 million.
These leading-edge projects include the development of technology to better protect shorelines; research designed to improve the performance of cold water survival suits for the offshore; the development of solar technology to power street lighting; new methods for increasing blueberry yields; research into the use of a daffodil extract to treat Alzheimer's disease; and new processes to reduce early maturation in farmed cod.
The AIF has been instrumental in increasing R&D capacity in Nova Scotia and enhancing the region's growing reputation for innovation and R&D. Since 2006, ACOA has invested $83 million through AIF in Nova Scotia projects valued at more than $248 million.
ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund encourages the commercialization of research in Atlantic Canada and has been a key driver for many Atlantic Canadian businesses, universities and research institutions. It has enhanced Atlantic Canada's reputation for innovation and, through the success of the projects it has funded, the AIF has contributed significantly to the region's research, development and economic performance.
Projects selected for AIF funding in Nova Scotia include:
Dalhousie University (Halifax) Project: Advanced Acoustics Technologies for Measuring Dalhousie University, in collaboration with Memorial University, of St. John's (NL), and Nortek Scientific, of Halifax, will develop new automated acoustic instrumentation systems for high resolution measurement of fluid and sediment transport in aquatic environments. Some of the practical uses of the technology include shoreline protection and navigation channel maintenance. This project, with total estimated costs of $1.8 million, will receive approximately $1.1 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period.
Oxford Frozen Foods Limited (Oxford) Project: Risk Mitigation System for Wild Blueberry Production Oxford Frozen Foods, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, will develop a number of new technology based products, processes and services with the objective to increase harvestable yields, reduce costs of production, increase productivity and improve product quality while enhancing environmental stewardship. These technology based processes include pest and disease management and software interface. This project, with total estimated costs of $3.9 million, will receive approximately $1.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five- year period.
Helly Hansen Canada Limited (Dartmouth) Project: Innovations in Cold Water Survival Suits Helly Hanson, in collaboration with the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board and ExxonMobil Canada, will investigate a number of technological innovations that have the potential to improve the performance of their cold water survival suit and thus more effective in saving life. Specifically, the company plans to develop a new generation of helicopter passenger suit/rig abandonment suit for the offshore industry by 2012. This project, with total estimated costs of $1.9 million, will receive approximately $1.0 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three- year period.
C-Vision Limited (Amherst) Project: Command and Control/Solar Power Lighting in LED Roadway Lights C-Vision will research and develop two new technological innovations in the field of command and control of LED roadway lights infrastructure. The project also has a goal of developing and incorporating renewable energy into outdoor lighting so as to significantly reduce energy consumption and provide remote and/or independent operation. This project, with total estimated costs of $4.2 million, will receive approximately $3.0 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a two-year period.
Keata Pharma Inc. (Sydney) Project: Daffodil-derived Product for Treatment of Alzheimer's disease Keata Pharma Inc. will focus on the development and commercialization of a daffodil-derived natural product that can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Project collaborators include the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, in Truro, and the National Research Council's Institute of Nutri-Sciences and Health. This project, with total estimated costs of $4.2 million, will receive approximately $3.0 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.
Genome Atlantic (Halifax, NS and locations in NB and NL) Project: Maturation Challenge in Cod Aquaculture Genome Atlantic will develop new processes to reduce early maturation in farmed cod, a significant problem facing the Atlantic industry. New techniques to breed sterile cod will address the problems of elevated mortality, lengthened grow out cycles and poor flesh quality associated with early maturity. This project, with total estimated costs of $5.8 million, will receive approximately $3.0 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a four-year period.
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, today released the details of six projects in Nova Scotia that will receive $12.4 million in funding under Round VI of ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Project proponents are estimated to leverage an additional $9.5 million in funding from a variety of private and public sector sources, bringing the value of the Nova Scotia AIF projects to approximately $21.9 million.
The Atlantic Innovation Fund is critical to enhancing Atlantic Canada's ability to carry out leading-edge R&D and bringing new knowledge, new jobs and new business opportunities to Atlantic Canada.
Photographs from the news conference and comprehensive backgrounders on all new AIF projects, including the selected Nova Scotia-based projects, are available on ACOA's Web site at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/mediaroom
INFORMATION:
Alex Smith Director, Communications Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Halifax, Nova Scotia 902-426-9417
Shauna MacNeil Director of Communications, Client Services Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Moncton, New Brunswick 506-851-6403
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PROJECTS SELECTED FOR AIF FUNDING IN NOVA SCOTIA:
Dalhousie University Dr. Martha Crago Vice-President, Research Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia 902-494-2872
Oxford Frozen Foods Limited Milton Wood Controller Oxford Frozen Foods Limited Oxford, Nova Scotia 902-447-2100
Helly Hansen Canada Limited Dan Clarke, CMA President Helly Hansen Canada Limited Dartmouth, Nova Scotia 1-800-565-7749
C-Vision Limited Chuck Cartmill President C-Vision Limited Amherst, Nova Scotia 902-222-4200
Keata Pharma Inc. Charles Ivey Vice-President PharmEng International Inc. Sydney, Nova Scotia 905-415-3922, ext. 116 416-520-0957 (cell)
Genome Atlantic Dr. Steven Armstrong President and CEO Genome Atlantic Halifax, Nova Scotia 902-421-5661
