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NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program

Explore the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program supporting SMEs through innovation and technology assistance. Learn about IRAP's mission, strategic objectives, services, and impact on firms. Discover the network's core values, success factors, and collaboration opportunities with colleges in Ontario, Alberta, N.W.T., and Nunavut. Enhance innovation capacity, foster partnerships, and access valuable resources for technological advancement.

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NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program

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  1. NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program Presentation to ACCC 3rd College and Institute Research Symposium Margot Montgomery, Director General, IRAP National Research Council of Canada Ottawa, February 2001

  2. What is IRAP ……. The National Research Council is the federal government’s premier innovation and technology assistance program to support small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Innovation is defined as any change of a technological nature (inputs, methods or outputs), which improves the technological competitiveness of a firm.

  3. National Research Council of Canada Vision to 2006 • Recognized globally for research and innovation, NRC will be a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. • Outstanding people • Leadership in research and development • Fostering technology clusters • Creating value • Securing access to global research networks and science facilities.

  4. Guiding IRAP…... IRAP’s Mandate is to stimulate wealth creation for Canada through technological innovation IRAP’s Mission is to stimulate innovation in Canadian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) IRAP’s Strategic Objectives: • to enhance theinnovation capabilities of SMEs • to become the national enabler of technological innovation for Canadian SMEs.

  5. IRAP - A National Innovation Network

  6. IRAP at a glance… 262 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs), scientists and engineers, located in 90 communities across Canada. • Served more than 12,000 SMEs • Assisted 4,300 projects • Provided early-risk capital ($90M) to 3,300 Canadian SMEs • Facilitated linkages (more than 3,800 project links) • 100 co-delivery Network Members partners from public and private research and technology-based organizations

  7. IRAP’s Services to SMEs Innovation, research and development assistance: • Professional advice • Networking and referrals to service providers • Technology visits (including international) • Innovation financial assistance • Seminars, workshops, technology forums • Youth employment (HRDC) • Community innovation capacity-building

  8. IRAP’s impact on firms Clients credit IRAP with: • Increased technical capabilities and innovation • New products and processes • New relationships / alliances • Increased number of jobs and sales • Continued investment in R&D

  9. IRAP Network Member Profile in 2000-01

  10. The Canadian Technology Network (CTN) A network of organizations and people committed to working inter-dependently to attain collective and self-interest goals of enhancing innovation capacity in their communities for the benefit of Canadian SMEs.

  11. Why is IRAP a Success? • Adaptable, decentralized organization • Regional presence and involvement (150 locations) • Responsive to local business needs • Awareness of industry trends • Linked to innovation resources throughout Canada and around the world

  12. Core Values for IRAP • Value-added front-line service to the client • People • Partnerships • Technical credibility • Accountability

  13. A growing role for IRAP…. • To strengthen IRAP’s working relationship with Canadian learning institutions and government laboratories, and • To enable information and technology exchange with Canadian SMEs.

  14. Building connections... • between sources of knowledge, technology, know-how and receptors • among researchers, learning institutions and entrepreneurs • nationally and internationally

  15. IRAP and ACCC Early agreement with ACCC served to: • make IRAP aware of potential opportunities in colleges • results: 2 major links: • The Aurora College link in NWT, and • The Nunavut College link in NU

  16. Some current linkages with IRAP in Ontario: 9 colleges have an ITA presence (representing approx. 20% of the Ontario IRAP network); • Sault - Mohawk • Sheridan - Centennial • Humber - St Clair • Sir Sanford Fleming - Durham • Conestoga.

  17. IRAP- College Collaborationsin Ontario • Sheridan's Skills Training Centre at Oakville • Sheridan's School of Science and Technology (New Media connection); • The School of Engineering Technology at Centennial, • The Canadian Plastics Training Centre at Humber

  18. Some current linkages with IRAP in Alberta, N.W.T. & Nunavut 6 colleges have an ITA presence (20% of IRAP Alberta network): Lethbridge, SAIT(Clgy), Red Deer, NAIT(Edm), Aurora and Nunavut Research Institutes (part of Aurora and Nunavut Colleges), and 3 colleges have 4 part-time CTN Advisors (30% of CTN Alberta network of Advisors): Lethbridge, Red Deer, Grand Prairie and Nunavut.

  19. IRAP- College Collaborations in Alberta,N.W.T. & Nunavut • SAITs office of Technology Commercialization • Lethbridge's school of business (which complements the ITA technology focus) • Specific local activities in support of innovation in Red Deer and Grand Prairie • Colleges have been involved in the Alberta-based Competitive Intelligence (CI) initiative as a source of training for SMEs in CI techniques.

  20. IRAP- College Collaborations in Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Institute for Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), SK • SIAST was a key element of the Sask. Innovation blueprint • SIAST has a number of courses, programs related to innovation needs and gaps • NRC’s PBI expanded its partnership with SIAST in hosting Biotech Technicians

  21. Some current linkages in Manitoba: Red River, Winnipeg • A dynamic relationship with IBD (the MRI Technicians Training Program) • IRAP recognized the importance of the college in the innovation system (Many IRAP clients have technicians & staff from this college)

  22. IRAP- College Collaborations in Manitoba: Red River, Winnipeg • The college is developing its own research program: a construction technology facility and a Science Management program • IRAP will be heavily involved in those 2 programs through linkages with innovative firms • Recently, IRAP decided to locate an ITA at this college to better serve the Winnipeg construction firms.

  23. Partnership and collaboration with Colleges • Colleges can provide technical know-how to many regionally-based NRC clusters • College R&D activities bring IRAP new sources of knowledge and know-how • Most colleges have renewed mandates to support innovation in the SME client base.

  24. Benefits to Colleges and Institutes • IRAP can help nurture relationships between government and learning institutions and the private sector and technology innovation organizations • IRAP can help colleges build new programs through linkages with innovative firms

  25. Benefits to IRAP and Canadian SMEs • Colleges can provide IRAP with a strong geographic presence throughout the province • ITAs located in colleges can better serve the community • College training provides skilled workers for SMEs • Networking and awareness seminars for SMEs and technology forums for ITAs

  26. Benefits to Canada Canada’s colleges, universities and Government laboratories are a rich source of technologies and business-related knowledge that could be better utilized for the benefit of Canadians.

  27. IRAP can play a key role... in building linkages Together we can build new connections, new partnerships, new ideas and new opportunities...

  28. What can Colleges do? • Contact your IRAP Regional Director to discuss collaboration opportunities • Promote college services to IRAP ITAs • Present college know-how and services at ITAs’ regional meetings

  29. Margot J. MontgomeryDirector GeneralIndustrial Research Assistance ProgramNational Research Council CanadaMontreal Road, Building M-55Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0R6Internet: margot.montgomery@nrc.caIRAPWeb: http//pub.irap.nrc.ca/irap/web/irapcomm.nsfTel: (613) 993-0695 Docufax: (613) 954-0501

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