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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities

This section provides an overview of NRC's Program Activities and how they will be contributing to the organization's priorities and strategic outcome.  NRC Program Activities include Research and Development and Technology and Industry Support. These provide a balance between conducting R&D and delivering technical and innovation support services to industry and the public.

Strategic Outcome

An innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support

Program Activity:  Research and Development

This program activity includes research programs, technology development initiatives and management of national science and engineering facilities.  These efforts all focus on key technological and industrial areas of Canada's economy where NRC has specific roles and recognized competencies, and where it can have a significant impact.

Table 2-1


Financial Resources ($ millions)
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
478.0 474.9 396.0

Table 2-2


Human Resources (FTEs)
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
3,408 3,412 3,034

Program Activity: Technology and Industry Support

This program activity includes dissemination of scientific, technical and medical information; provision of innovation assistance and engineering and technology-based facilities; contributions to the commercialization process; intellectual property management; new company creation and strategic partnerships for Canadian SMEs, NRC institutes, the public and other government research organizations.

Table 2-3


Financial Resources ($ millions)
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
222.4 217.3 209.9

Table 2-4


Human Resources (FTEs)
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011
923 881 859

 


Priority 1: R&D in Key Sectors and Areas Critical to Canada's Future
Key contributor Program Activity: Research and Development
Planned Strategy NRC will create value for Canada and build sustainability through focused research and development in areas critical to Canada's future: environmental science and technologies, natural resources and energy, health and related life sciences and technologies, and information and communication technologies.  NRC will invest in leading edge research and related infrastructure, while facilitating increased horizontal and multi-disciplinary R&D.
Expected results/Outcome
  • Excellence and leadership in research that benefits Canadians
  • Contribution to federal strategies and initiatives
  • Collaborative research with other innovation players nationally and internationally
Performance Indicators The following performance indicators will be focused on activities within key sectors:
  • IP portfolio (patents issued, patent applications, licences)
  • Publications in refereed journals / proceedings and technical reports
  • Leadership and contribution to federal horizontal initiatives
  • Number and value of national and international collaborative agreements

 


Priority 2: Community Technology Clustering Initiatives
Key contributor Program Activity: Research and Development
Program Activity: Technology and Industry Support (NRC-IRAP and NRC-CISTI)
Planned Strategy NRC will contribute to the economic viability of Canada's communities, focusing on cluster growth to create critical mass and build community innovation capacity.  It will do this by connecting industry and key innovation players, facilitating regional delivery of national initiatives.
Expected results/Outcome
  • Community ownership of the cluster – local leadership and strategies
  • Greater productivity and increased new technology-based solutions
  • Competitive research and development base in cluster communities
Performance Indicators
  • IPF occupancy rate for cluster initiatives
  • Access and use of NRC-IRAP and NRC-CISTI by cluster actors
  • Technology transfer to cluster actors (number and value of collaborative agreements, joint patent applications, licensing)

 


Priority 3: Integrated Industry Support that Engages Key Players
Key contributor Program Activity: Technology and Industry Support
Planned Strategy RC will provide integrated and comprehensive support to increase the innovative capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This encompasses S&T information and intelligence, commercialization support around technology transfer and IP management including helping to manage risks as new products are developed and marketed.
Expected results/Outcome
  • Improved dissemination of knowledge
  • Enhanced innovation capacity of firms
  • Supporting Canadian industry and advancement of new technology-based companies
Performance Indicators
  • Access and use of technology and industry support  provided by NRC to SMEs
  • Client satisfaction
  • Highly qualified engineers and scientists to SME clients
  • Linkages with innovation partners (co-location of ITAs, Competitive Intelligence Services)

 


Priority 4: Program Management for a Sustainable Organization
Key contributor NRC-Wide Contribution8:
Program Activity: Research and Development Program Activity: Technology and Industry Support
Planned Strategy NRC will be a sustainable and agile national research and innovation organization for Canada. As it continues to implement of its Strategy to 2011, it will move forward with established priorities to help ensure sustainability, clear and consistent corporate direction, and relevant program support to achieve its goals in alignment with federal S&T priorities. It will additionally continue to address its accountability commitments and recommendations of the Auditor General of Canada.
Expected results/Outcome
  • Progress towards delivery of NRC strategy aligned with federal priorities
  • Sustained, effective corporate governance and decision-making
  • Long-term stability of financial, human and capital resources
  • Effective research management
  • Effective communications with NRC stakeholders
Performance Indicators
  • HR turnover rates
  • Percentage of operating budget allocated to training
  • Capital investment in infrastructure
  • Progress on strategy implementation
  • Net cash flow (see Statement of Operations)
  • Diversity/O/L statistics

8 - (NRC's Corporate Branches actively support the Program Activities' contributions to this priority.  The Corporate Branches provide policy, program advice and executive support for the coordination and direction of NRC's operations and the NRC Council.  They also specialize in finance, information management, human resources, administrative services, property management and corporate services.)