The Institut national d'optique (INO), located in Quebec City, is a world-class optics and applied photonics research centre.
Founded in 1985, INO supports Canada's optics industry through research and development and provides it with the technical assistance it needs to grow. It also plays a leading role in the development and application of optics in Canada.
The INO has an ongoing internal research program. Research and development activities are chosen based on business needs and commercial opportunities for technologies, which allows INO to provide businesses with research services free of charge.
Its program centres on cutting-edge technology families (fibre optics, lasers, microfabrication) and their commercial applications, including defence and security, industrial processes, aerospace and astronomy, transport equipment, optics-photonics, health and life sciences, and natural resources.
The Government of Canada is providing INO with a $12 million non-repayable contribution. The funding will be provided through the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and its Business and Regional Growth Program.
This contribution will help with the implementation of the internal research program and the global marketing of its research and development initiatives. This will enable INO to continue to play a leading role in optics development and applications in Canada and throughout the world.
By investing in INO, the Government of Canada is contributing to the development of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada, which rely on its support to create and develop the products and processes they will use to generate revenues and enhance productivity.
The federal financial assistance is contingent upon compliance with the Government of Canada's funding allocation procedures and the signing of a contribution agreement between Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions and INO.
The Government of Canada's support for INO – since it was founded – totals over $130 million. The financial assistance comes from the following federal departments and agencies: Industry Canada (IC), Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC).
