Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific Cooperation between
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
and
The Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR)

Recognizing the importance of international scientific co-operation and the mutual benefit to be derived from bilateral collaboration, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), hereafter referred to as "the Parties", have agreed to:

• exchange information;
• facilitate the movement of researchers between Canada and Russia; and
• promote bilateral research collaborations in the fields of natural sciences and engineering, including the dissemination and application of research outcomes resulting from these collaborations, as appropriate.

More specifically, the Parties agree to:

1. Implementation and Co-ordination

To facilitate communication, the Parties will designate one person as a contact point. The NSERC contact point will be the NSERC International Affairs Advisor; the RFBR contact point will be the RFBR International Relations Department Director. Officials of the Parties will contact each other and meet as necessary to discuss matters of mutual interest related to the co-operation outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding, and to exchange information on programs, policies, and practices, as appropriate.

Each Party will facilitate research exchanges and collaboration in the natural sciences and engineering between each other's country by:

• publicising and providing information on mechanisms of support for scientific collaboration with the other country;
• publicising and providing information on research activities in both countries, so as to assist researchers in developing joint research projects;
• advising its national research community of its interest in supporting research in specified areas, if necessary.

Each Party will have in place funding mechanisms with a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit their use for the support of workshops and joint cooperative research projects including projects in collaboration with Russian and/or Canadian industry. Applicants and applications will be required to meet selection criteria for the relevant program.

In NSERC's case, proposals will be submitted and evaluated through NSERC's regular programs and in accordance with the normal program cycle and regulations, keeping in mind NSERC's interest in funding co-operative research with Russian partners in areas of mutual interest. Canadian researchers will be notified of the opportunity to apply for funding, through NSERC's normal information channels (newsletters, NSERC web site and, other publications). Canadian researchers will be encouraged to contact interested Russian researchers to establish joint projects and workshops.

In RFBR's case, proposals will be submitted and evaluated through RFBR's international programs and in accordance with the international program cycle and regulations, keeping in mind RFBR's interest in funding co-operative research with Canadian partners in areas of mutual interest. Russian researchers will be encouraged to contact interested Canadian researchers to establish joint projects.

The Parties may agree to solicit proposals from their respective research communities in areas of mutual research interest. These areas of mutual research interest will be established by discussion between the Parties, and in consultation with their respective research communities.

The information exchange and dissemination activities outlined in this Memorandum will complement exchanges of scientists and engineers resulting from individual-to-individual or university-to-university agreements.

This Memorandum of Understanding will respect Intellectual Property (IP) rights established by researchers' respective host institutions. Parties have agreed on a condition for all grants to ensure that any IP is disclosed and that an effort is made to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada and Russia resulting in commercial activity.

This Memorandum of Understanding is based on equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit, and implies no financial commitment from either Party.

This Memorandum of Understanding will take effect on the date of signing. It will remain in force until terminated by either Party giving six months' notice in writing. It may be amended at any time by mutual written agreement of the Parties.

Signed in duplicate in Ottawa on the 11th day of October, 2002.