GETTING STARTED IN PARTNERSHIPS

Is your business new to R&D partnerships with post-secondary researchers? We have some tips to get you started.

Partnering with post-secondary researchers begins by connecting with the right people—getting to know scientists and engineers with the right mix of expertise to solve your problems. In many instances, it makes sense to first connect with those who can serve as a bridge between your business and the right post-secondary researchers.

An important first step is to contact the NSERC regional office in your area—Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and Pacific. Our staff in these offices are plugged into many different networks and serve as focal points for identifying either the matchmaker or the researcher most suited to your business.

Our regional offices also serve as the first point of contact for information about NSERC R&D cost-sharing initiatives that best fit the R&D plans of your business. They deliver NSERC's recently launched Interaction Grants and Engage Grants Programs, which are aimed at fostering new relationships and collaborations between Canadian companies and university researchers.

Other options for finding a researcher with relevant expertise include:

• contacting the University-Industry Liaison Office, Technology Transfer Office, or equivalent, at post-secondary institutions.
• searching the Internet for profiles of researchers (most researchers have their own Web pages).
• exploring NSERC's Awards Search Engine and Chairholders Database using a range of search parameters, including key words, areas of application, research subjects and institutions in your vicinity.

If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to call NSERC at 1-877-767-1767, and we will point you in the right direction.