E-Bulletin
IN Partnership
Issue 3 - June 2010
Companies Value Speedy Decisions on Engage Grants
Companies joining in on applications for partnership funding are getting approval faster than ever with NSERC's recently launched Engage Grants Program. NSERC promises a turnaround of six weeks for applications, to keep in line with the program's mandate to help companies find solutions for specific problems within six months. As of June 22, 2010, almost 150 of these grants have been approved for fast-track funding, the majority involving businesses new to NSERC-funded partnerships.
For their part, industrial partners are enthusiastic about the quick decision process that allows them to proceed with projects shortly after they are proposed.
"We were truly amazed at the speedy turnaround on our joint funding submission with McMaster University," said Gerard Campeau, President of Thermal Electronics Corporation in Aurora, Ontario.
For some businesses, implementing an innovation in the near-term can mean the difference between a banner year or going bust. In Atlantic Canada, the Winery Association of Nova Scotia has entered into a new research partnership with Kirk Hillier of Acadia University to develop an integrated pest management strategy for the province's grape growers.
"A bad outbreak of pests can easily bankrupt some of the smaller vineyards, so this project is of great importance to our members," explains Janice Ruddock, Managing Director of the Winery Association. "This is our first time working through an NSERC-funded partnership, and we were extremely impressed with how swiftly the agency processed the application for funds."
Not all projects need to start from scratch, either. Some companies with a development underway seek partnerships that will help them deliver a final product faster. For instance, researchers at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) are collaborating with Anatis Bioprotection to improve the effectiveness and shelf life of its bio-pesticide products to compete against their chemical equivalents.
"This project with UQAM is critical to bringing our bio-pesticide to market as rapidly as possible," remarks Anatis President Silvia Todorova. "We are very pleased that NSERC moved so quickly to fund our proposal."
Share your story
Have an NSERC R&D Partnership success story to share? Please send a brief summary to editor@NSERCPartnerships.ca.
Contact Us
For more information about NSERC’s partnerships programs and how your business can become involved and benefit, please call toll free at 1-877-767-1767. You will be connected to a representative in one of our five regional offices who can assist you.
