May / June 2005


Ontario Research Fund proposals now being accepted

$730M for research over next 4 years

Proposals are now being accepted to access first round of funding under the new Ontario Research Fund (ORF) program.

First round deadline is September 30 for the four-year $300 million ORF Research Infrastructure (ORF-RI) program, supporting the modernization, development and or acquisition of new research infrastructure at Ontario's universities, colleges and hospitals.

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, which is managing the new programs, is also accepting submissions under the $217 million ORF Research Excellence (ORF-RE) program, supporting leading-edge research, developing research talent and encouraging partnerships between research institutions and business.

The province is giving priority to proposals in specific economic sectors, including materials and advanced manufacturing, information and communications technologies; life sciences; environmental technologies; energy systems and technologies, particularly conservation and green technologies; agriculture and emerging technologies, such as nanotechnology.
Proposals must also include a plan for youth outreach/mentorship activities.

The new ORF consolidates several Ontario research programs that have been funded separately in the past, including the Ontario R&E Challenge Fund and the Ontario Innovation Trust.

Provincial investment totals $730 million to 2007-08 for new and ongoing research commitments.

"Research lies at the heart of a virtuous circle. Research generates new ideas. These ideas have value in their own right. But they can also be developed into new products and services that create jobs and prosperity for our people," said Premier Dalton McGuinty, at the recent inauguration of the University of Ottawa's new Biosciences Complex.

The government has also funded new research chairs in bio-agriculture at the University of Guelph, productivity and competitiveness at the University of Toronto and has provided $25 million to the Council of Ontario Universities to create an additional eight research chairs.

The province is also consolidating the new Cancer Research Program with the existing Ontario Cancer Research Network, announcing a total $142 million commitment for cancer research through to 2007-08.

Among the moves to re-focus programs, the government is supporting "Regional Innovation Networks", building on the previous Biotechnology Cluster Innovation Program (BCIP), now expanded to include research in information technology, energy conservation and advanced materials.

Ontario has also moved on a recommendation from the Bob Rae Postsecondary Review, in creating a Research Council of Ontario, which will advise the Premier on research priorities, help co-ordinate public research and raise Ontario's profile as an international research centre.

Of interest to institutions connected to ORION are specific Quality of Research criteria that encourages inter-institutional and international research collaboration.

For ORION President/CEO Phil Baker, this invites researchers to develop proposals that incorporate collaborations with partners and other institutions that share connections over ORION, CA*net 4 and other global research and education (R&E) networks.

"This is wonderful news for researchers and scientists looking to collaborate with colleagues and research institutions, within Ontario and across Canada and around the world. Our advanced networking infrastructure is now in place and ready to be used to its fullest potential," he said.

Review and download funding program criteria at www.ontario-canada.com/ontcan/en/rts/rts_orf.jsp.


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