Government of Canada Launches New Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants

Ottawa, October 11, 2011 – A new initiative for colleges will give them the opportunity to work closely with local businesses on research that will benefit researchers, businesses and their communities. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) announced that applications are now being accepted for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's (NSERC's) new Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges (IRCC) Grants. The grants were first announced in Budget 2011: A Low-Tax Plan for Jobs and Growth.

"These new Chairs will create partnerships between industry and colleges resulting in job creation, improved quality of life for Canadians and a stronger economy," said Minister of State Goodyear. "They will also provide local companies with the invaluable resources they need to boost competitiveness and expand their capacity to innovate."

IRCC Grants will help companies access the people, infrastructure and resources needed to engage in leading-edge applied research activities at college campuses across the country. This initiative joins a full suite of other college-industry partnership grants currently offered by NSERC.

Budget 2011 provides $3 million this year, followed by $5 million a year on a permanent basis, to support up to 30 new Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants.

The Chairs will act as catalysts for the delivery of innovative applied research solutions to local companies at the community level. Each Chair will receive from $100,000 to $200,000 annually and will be offered a five-year term. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2011.

"Canadian colleges will be able to develop and strengthen their existing research activities, and expand their infrastructure with the Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges initiative," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "These grants will also have a lasting impact on students by providing them with an enhanced training environment and the opportunity to address applied research challenges in collaboration with the private sector."

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

Read more about the Industrial Research Chairs for Colleges Grants.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Martin Leroux
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Tel.: 613-943-7618
E-mail: media@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
Tel.: 613-943-7599

Media Relations
Industry Canada
Tel.: 613-943-2502