Federal nanotechnology initiative issues call for proposals

Ottawa, ON – The National Research Council (NRC), NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have announced a special opportunity for NRC scientists and Canadian academic researchers in nanoscience and nanotechnology. They are inviting researchers to collaborate on large technology development-driven research projects in the critical areas of: energy, environment and information and communications technologies (ICT).

NRC and NSERC are each investing $6 million over three years to fund large-scale initiatives designed to take advantage of the nanotechnology knowledge and resources available in NRC Institutes and Canadian universities. A maximum of $1 million per year (up to $500,000 each from NSERC and NRC) is available for each project. NSERC will fund university researchers and NRC will fund its scientists.

The BDC will help evaluate the proposals, specifically by helping assess the commercial potential. BDC will also follow up with successful projects to help them move the technology towards commercialization.

Deadline is August 23, and more details are available on NRC’s website at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/randd/areas/nanotechnology-proposals_e.html.