ARCHIVED - National Research Council Canada - Supplementary Tables

Name of Transfer Payment Program 1: Contributions to International Astronomical Observatories Program

Start date: 1978 (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT))

End date: N/A

Fiscal Year for Ts & Cs: 2011-12

Strategic Outcome: Canadians have access to research and development information and infrastructure.

Program Activity: National Science and Technology Infrastructure

Description: Astronomy has become a global science. The increasing cost of leading-edge observatories and the scarcity of ideal observation sites have led to a greater focus on international collaboration for large-scale astronomy projects which lead to advances in our knowledge and understanding of the universe.

NRC, in collaboration with other international bodies, provides financial contributions to support the management and operations of offshore ground-based observatories and their related facilities, such as the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT, commissioned in 1979), the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT, 1987), the twin telescopes of the Gemini Observatory (GEMINI, 1993), the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA, 2008). NRC also participates in the oversight and direction of these facilities and their research capabilities.

International agreements governing these observatories are long-term commitments that specify contributions to support preconstruction design and development, construction, operation and maintenance, capital improvements (e.g., development of new astronomical instruments and other facility upgrades) and decommissioning of the international ground-based observatories and their related facilities. In addition, they include commitments to support the partner user communities to ensure a fair and progressive use of these observatories. NRC's Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (NRC-HIA) participates in the governance of these international facilities on behalf of the Canadian astronomy research community and provides appropriate support, including sophisticated data management services and instrumentation. Through NRC's financial contribution and other in-kind contributions, the Canadian astronomy community is assured merit-based access to these facilities with appropriate support.

Expected results:

• Canadian astronomers have access to leading-edge facilities and technology.
• Qualified students and post-doctoral researchers have access to facilities to advance their training.
• Canada plays a prominent role in international scientific endeavours.
• Scientific benefit of telescopes to the Canadian and the global community is maximized through progressive science programs using leading-edge instrumentation.
• Canadian industry has increased opportunities to participate in advanced scientific projects and increased opportunities to benefit from contracts and technology development.

	($ millions)
	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending 2012-13	Planned Spending 2013-14	Planned Spending 2014-15
Total Grants
Total Contributions	10.3	10.0	10.0	10.0
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments
Total Transfer Payments	10.3	10.0	10.0	10.0

Fiscal Year of Last Completed Evaluation: 2011-12

Decision following the Results of Last Evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal Year of Planned Completion of Next Evaluation: 2015-16

General Targeted Recipient Group: Foreign states or intergovernmental organizations that have entered into international agreements with Canada (NRC) to support costs related to ground-based astronomical observatories.

Initiatives to Engage Applicants and Recipients: NRC manages observatories owned by the Government of Canada for the benefit of the Canadian astronomy research community, aligning its contributions to the priorities of the community's Long Range Plan for Astronomy and Astrophysics. NRC participates on the Boards which oversee the observatories to ensure that the science directions and programs of the facilities reflect Canadian strengths and interests. In addition, NRC ensures that these activities increase opportunities for Canadian researchers and firms to develop relevant instrumentation for the observatories. To carry out its roles effectively, NRC provides current information about each observatory to community-based committees of scientists which, in turn, provide expert advice on observatory operations and development.

NRC provides support to the user community through numerous services extending from administering the time allocation process for Canadian researchers through to delivery of science-ready data to the research community (through its Canadian Astronomy Data Centre). NRC ensures that the Canadian astronomy and astrophysics community is provided with merit-based access to the observatories in the program.

In addition, NRC runs outreach activities geared to young people and the general public to increase their interest in science and, in particular, astronomy. The Centre of the Universe is an interpretive centre that provides both scientific and historical information to school groups in the greater Victoria area. Its staff also serves in leadership roles for regional and national outreach activities, such as National Science and Technology Week, science outreach to First Nations, and student science contests. NRC staff participates in outreach activities of the individual observatories of which Canada has a share, engaging broader communities including groups local to the telescopes.

Name of Transfer Payment Program 2: Contributions to TRIUMF

Start date: April 1, 1977

End date: March 31, 2015

Fiscal Year for Ts & Cs: 1977-78

Strategic Outcome: Canadians have access to research and development information and infrastructure.

Program Activity: National Science and Technology Infrastructure

Description: TRIUMF is Canada's national laboratory for nuclear and particle physics, and one of Canada's key investments in large-scale research infrastructure. It provides world-class facilities for research in sub-atomic physics, life sciences, nuclear medicine and materials science. A consortium of eleven Canadian universities own and manage the operations of TRIUMF. TRIUMF receives its federal funding in five-year allocations via a Contribution Agreement from NRC, which plays an important oversight and stewardship role for TRIUMF on behalf of the Government of Canada. TRIUMF received funding of $222.3M for the 2010-15 period of its new plan.

Expected results:

• The maintenance of a national facility for sub-atomic physics in a safe, secure and reliable manner and an ongoing experimental program
• Excellent Canadian sub-atomic physics research, which includes innovative research in nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, materials science and life sciences
• Continuing Canada's connection with international particle physics research facilities in order that Canadian scientists may be involved in research programs at the forefront of particle physics
• Important opportunities for Canadian university research and attracting scientists from the international community to Canada
• Economic benefits of the TRIUMF program research to Canadian companies through technology transfer activities, contracts and procurement policies.

	($ millions)
	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending 2012-13	Planned Spending 2013-14	Planned Spending 2014-15
Total Grants
Total Contributions	44.0	44.0	44.3	45.0
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments
Total Transfer Payments	44.0	44.0	44.3	45.0

Fiscal Year of Last Completed Evaluation: 2008-09

Decision following the Results of Last Evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal Year of Planned Completion of Next Evaluation: 2014-15

General Targeted Recipient Group: TRIUMF

Initiatives to Engage Applicants and Recipients: NRC chairs the Agency Committee on TRIUMF, which includes all the federal agencies that provide funding to activities at TRIUMF, providing TRIUMF management the opportunity to update the Committee on progress and discuss future directions for the facility.

NRC also manages the Advisory Committee on TRIUMF, gathering together key stakeholders including NSERC, the Canadian Institute of Nuclear Physics and the Canadian Institute of Particle Physics to ensure that TRIUMF's directions are well aligned with the research community's needs and that TRIUMF is working with all constituencies of the Canadian sub-atomic physics community to establish priorities appropriate to a national program in this discipline. The Committee considers all aspects of the TRIUMF program, with a particular emphasis on technological issues that should be considered to ensure the relevance, impact and world class standing of TRIUMF S&T programs. Both Committees allow for extended discussion with TRIUMF's management, ensuring that investments made on behalf of the research community are optimal.

TRIUMF has a staff of 340 scientists, engineers, and technicians, and a further 140 postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and co-op students, thereby training the next generation of leaders. As a natural magnet for young minds, TRIUMF has designed numerous programs aimed at young people, students, teachers and the general public, to ensure that as many as possible benefit from the scientific program and the excitement that exists within one of Canada's premier laboratories.

Name of Transfer Payment Program 3: Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

Start date: April 1, 2008

End date: March 31, 2013

Fiscal Year for Ts & Cs: 2007-08

Strategic Outcome: Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology.

Program Activity: Industrial Research Assistance

Description: This program provides a range of technical and business-oriented advisory services, as well as financial support for small and medium-sized (SME) Canadian businesses engaged in research and development of technological innovations. The program is important for enabling enterprises to generate significant economic activity for Canadian industry by augmenting the capacity and capability of enterprises to innovate and commercialize. Financial support is provided through a transfer payment program delivered by a cross-Canada network of more than 250 professionals, including over 200 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs), located in approximately 100 communities. The field staff of professionals, recognized for their scientific, technical, engineering, business expertise, and knowledge of SMEs, provides clients with customized value-added advice, information, referrals and financial assistance. They work with clients at all stages of the innovation-commercialization continuum, including: project development; access to technical assistance, financial, business, marketing or management advice; access to competitive technical information; patent searches; and access to local, regional, national or international linkages. NRC-IRAP Advisors represent and promote NRC-IRAP in the community innovation system and build effective regional innovation system relationships for the benefit of SMEs. This includes working with organizations that receive NRC-IRAP contributions as well as with other organizations to facilitate the implementation of multi-sector, multi-partner initiatives that are relevant to SMEs regionally and nationally. Through its Canadian HIV Technology Development (CHTD) component, NRC-IRAP supports SMEs that participate in the development of an HIV vaccine and other technologies related to the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of HIV. As well, NRC-IRAP supports the placement of graduates in SMEs through its participation in the delivery of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

Expected results:

• Stimulation of innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada which leads to wealth creation for Canada.

	($ millions)
	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending 2012-13	Planned Spending 2013-14	Planned Spending 2014-15
Total Grants
Total Contributions	90.41	89.4	89.4	89.4
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments
Total Transfer Payments	90.41	89.4	89.4	89.4

¹ FY2011-12 up to FY2014-15 include CHTD/HIV planned budget as per Treasury Board submission. For 2011-12 CHTD/HIV planned expenditures are $1.3M.↑

Fiscal Year of Last Completed Evaluation: 2006-07

Decision following the Results of Last Evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal Year of Planned Completion of Next Evaluation: 2011-12

General Targeted Recipient Group: SMEs and Not-for-Profit Organizations

Initiatives to Engage Applicants and Recipients: NRC-IRAP is a national program managed on a regional basis with ITAs across the country providing one-on-one service to all recipients.

Recipients work closely with an assigned ITA to build their project proposal through multiple interactions. ITAs are engaged with recipients throughout the entire contribution management process on a one-on-one basis and frequently meet before a contribution agreement is signed.

At the end of their funded project, recipients are required to complete an on-line Post-Project Assessment. This assessmentgoes beyond collecting the essential information on the project to capture information on the recipient's experience with NRC-IRAP. Such information is used to provide insights on continuous program improvements.

Another important initiative which feeds into recipient engagement is NRC-IRAP's commitment to published service standards. The Program has recently developed service standards for decision making and payment to recipients. Combined with a number of pledges, NRC-IRAP will cross reference recipient feedback with its commitment to further improve the program.

NRC-IRAP has an Advisory Board composed of 10 to 12 members from the industry sector and industry associations. This Board provides advice to NRC-IRAP management and brings an external perspective on the strategic directions and management of the program.

NRC-IRAP is actively engaged with Treasury Board Secretariat Grants and Contributions Reform. Participation in workshops and constant alignment with recent Treasury Board Secretariat policy and guidelines has enabled the program to steadily move toward principles such a Recipient Engagement Strategy.

Name of Transfer Payment Program 4: Digital Technologies Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)

Start date: December 1, 2011

End date: March 31, 2014

Fiscal Year for Ts & Cs: 2011-12

Strategic Outcome: Advancements in the development and deployment of innovative technologies in targeted Canadian industries and national priority areas in support of federal priorities in innovation and science and technology.

Program Activity: Industrial Research Assistance

Description: DTAPP is a pilot program aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs through advisory and financial support to SMEs and Organizations and to furthering Industry Canada's understanding of the factors involved in such adoption, with an eye to possible future policy development. DTAPP will be promoted to all sectors across Canada.

Through DTAPP, NRC will be directly involved in supporting and increasing the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs. NRC plans to offer assistance to SMEs in the following ways:

• Providing advisory services to SMEs;
• Providing contribution funding to eligible SMEs for digital technologies adoption projects; and
• Engaging colleges and other organizations to assist SMEs in digital technologies adoption.

DTAPP will be promoted to all sectors across Canada. Any firm considered an SME (500 employees or fewer) from any sector or location in Canada can come forward for assessment and advice. However, as this is a three-year pilot program, it cannot address all types of digital technologies adoption in all sectors of the economy.

DTAPP will build upon NRC-IRAP's existing delivery capacity, including its structures, processes, and resources.

Expected results:

• Increased capacity of colleges to support digital technology solutions to SMEs (industry liaison infrastructure, courses offered, services provided)
• Increased capacity of engaged SMEs to adopt digital technology (level of knowledge, skilled resources)
• Improved adoption of digital technologies by engaged SMEs (level of investment, type, sector, region)

	($ millions)
	Forecast Spending 2011-12	Planned Spending 2012-13	Planned Spending 2013-14	Planned Spending 2014-15
Total Grants
Total Contributions	3.0	24.9	26.2	N/A
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments
Total Transfer Payments	3.0	24.9	26.2	N/A

Fiscal Year of Last Completed Evaluation: N/A

Decision following the Results of Last Evaluation: N/A

Fiscal Year of Planned Completion of Next Evaluation: 2012-13

General Targeted Recipient Group: SMEs and Not-for-Profit Organizations

Initiatives to Engage Applicants and Recipients: DTAPP is a national pilot program delivered by ITAs in more than 100 communities across the country who provide a one-on-one service to all DTAPP clients.

As a pilot, DTAPP allows NRC-IRAP to discuss aspects of program delivery and client needs that will feed into operational and educational practices. DTAPP clients work closely with an assigned ITA to build their digital technology adoption plan. ITAs are engaged with DTAPP clients throughout the entire adoption process on a one-on-one basis.

To raise awareness of this new program, NRC-IRAP is employing the use of advertising and promotional materials, a web-site and public events.