NSERC International Strategy

Strengthening Canada’s Position in World Science and Technology

1. Background

In the global, knowledge-based economy, Canada faces increasing competition from both established and newly emerging economies with excellent educational systems and large numbers of skilled people. Governments, research organizations and higher education institutions around the world are adopting policies and taking actions to internationalize their research activities as an important element of their national science strategies. In addition, many governments among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries have introduced new or revised plans to increase domestic research capacity and attract foreign firms, talent and research. Today, science and technology (S&T) is widely recognized as a key factor influencing domestic public policies related to economic development, trade, diplomacy, immigration and innovation.

Canada benefits from a strong research base and is at the forefront of important scientific developments in many fields. Canada ranks first in the G-7 in the number of publications produced on a per-capita basis. In addition, at 40 percent, Canada is one of the highest-ranking countries in the proportion of foreign co-authorship of scientific publications in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE). But despite its enviable standing and influence in world science, Canada must press ahead to avoid losing ground to other nations that are increasing their research intensity.

In 2007, the Government of Canada adopted a Science and Technology Strategy that sets out new and focused approaches to mobilize S&T to Canada’s long-term economic and social advantage. The federal Strategy defines entrepreneurial, knowledge and people advantages to translate ingenuity and ideas into products, services and technologies that generate environmental, health, social and economic benefits. It also outlines a course for Canada to succeed by building on national S&T strengths and by seeking to attract top talent from around the world.

As stated in the federal Science and Technology Strategy, Canada needs to be connected to the global supply of ideas, talent and technologies in order to succeed in this increasingly competitive arena. It also needs to put in place the necessary conditions to attract, retain and develop the talent and ingenuity it needs to address complex scientific issues, ensure its position at the forefront of innovation and be a destination of choice in the international scientific community.

2. NSERC — A Key Player

As a key player in Canada’s national innovation system, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) works to make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators. To maximize the value of public investments and to advance prosperity and the quality of life in Canada, NSERC supports the creation and transfer of knowledge in the natural sciences and engineering and ensures that people are trained to discover, develop and use that knowledge for the benefit of all.

In a context of increasing needs, multiple partnership opportunities and finite resources, NSERC has adopted an international strategy to facilitate a coherent approach to its investments in research and training. Articulating specific goals, principles and priorities, this international strategy will inform the design of NSERC policies and programs as well as its choices for strategic partnerships and corporate activities.

Currently, it is estimated that about five percent of NSERC’s annual budget (approximately $40 million — one-third in scholarship funds and two-thirds in grant funds) is used to directly support international activities. Existing rules governing the use of grant funds facilitate international exchanges and interactions. These are mostly in the form of peer-to-peer collaborations with university-based researchers in five or six countries, particularly the United States.

3. Strengthening Canada’s Position in World Science and Technology - NSERC's International Strategy

3.1 Vision

Through excellence and openness, Canadian scientists and engineers will become leaders in international research for the benefit of Canada and the world.

3.2 Goals

To achieve its international vision, NSERC will increase the excellence, visibility and impact of Canadian NSE research and talent within the global research community by:

• Working to attract the best foreign students, researchers and companies to conduct research in Canada and in partnership with Canadians; and
• promoting the leadership and contribution of Canadian scientists and engineers to address priorities and challenges for Canada and the international community.

3.3 Objectives

NSERC’s international strategy aims to:

• leverage Canada’s investment in research, infrastructure and training;
• access a broader pool of talent, scientific expertise and technical skills;
• create a destination of choice for the training of foreign research talent;
• raise the profile of Canadian university-based research; and
• facilitate the pooling of knowledge, resources and expertise to address complex global issues;
• attract technology-based investments to Canada.

3.4 Guiding Principles

NSERC’s international strategy establishes five principles to guide future decisions:

• Excellence — NSERC’s international activities enhance the quality and excellence of Canada’s postsecondary research and build on Canada’s existing S&T strengths.
• Leadership — NSERC’s policies and activities enhance the leadership of Canada’s research community in the global arena.
• Relevance — NSERC’s activities promote Canada’s global competitiveness in, and through, research and contribute to significant advances that help solve Canadian and global challenges.
• Impact — NSERC supports activities that are focused, strategic, visible and national in scope.
• Accountability — NSERC maintains fair and transparent funding processes and demonstrates results for Canadians.

4. Implementing the Strategy

4.1 Priorities

As funds become available to implement the strategy, NSERC will support a limited number of initiatives aimed at addressing three priorities:

• Positioning Canada as a destination of choice for the best research talent — Addressing global, complex issues requires the mobilization of the best research talent from around the world. Canadian universities offer a first-rate environment for training foreign research talent who will bring an invaluable contribution to world S&T. NSERC will increase the pool of talent available for research in all sectors of the economy (industry, academia, government) by attracting top-class postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from abroad to undertake research or research training in Canada.
• Fostering global research platforms — In Canada, NSERC will build on existing research strengths and support a limited number of platforms in select thematic areas in which Canada has the potential to be a global leader.
• Promoting internationalization of research and training — NSERC will support sustained Canadian participation in major international science initiatives and partnerships that focus on a specific topic or problem.

4.2 Partnerships

Partnerships with organizations in Canada and abroad are essential to achieve the goals of NSERC’s international strategy. In selecting partnerships, NSERC will seek synergies with other Canadian players, such as other research funding agencies, and leverage funding to address national priorities. When considering foreign partnerships, NSERC will be guided by the principles of mutual interest, reciprocity and equal access. This will include seeking funding partnerships to facilitate the participation of researchers from lower and middle-income countries in research collaborations and training.

NSERC's Bilateral Relations

4.3 Commitments

The implementation of this strategy in the years ahead is centred on the following commitments:

• NSERC will foster an enabling and open research environment by making the potential for international involvement pervasive across all its programs and by ensuring that appropriate criteria, policies and rules are in place to foster a research environment that is open to the world and competitive by global standards;
• NSERC will focus its efforts by funding initiatives in areas with the greatest potential to attract scientific talent, foster global research platforms and promote the internationalization of research and training; and

NSERC will strive to increase its commitment to at least ten percent of its budget directly supporting international activities.