Sunsetting and former NCEs thrown potential new lifeline in latest competition

Ongoing funding now possible

A long-standing grievance that has plagued the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) since its creation 28 years ago is finally being addressed in the tri-agency’s latest funding competition. For the first time ever, the NCE is allowing former networks to compete alongside new networks for funding. Up for grabs is $75 million over five years with the option to renew.

Previously, these pan-Canadian networks were trapped in a so-called sunset clause, which disallowed some networks – even those with resounding successes – from seeking more funding beyond a defined term.

NCE associate VP Jean Saint-Vil says one impetus for the change is the recent Advisory Panel for Canada's Fundamental Science Review, dubbed the Naylor Report, which recommended that “NCEs with a basic research mission should be allowed to participate in open competitions for refunding beyond current program limits” (page 164).

The scientific director of ArcticNet, a network with funding up to 2018, says the policy change makes this new competition “encouraging.”

“We’re very happy that the door has been opened. That is our recommendation to Minister [Kirsty] Duncan’s review of science in Canada -- to allow relevant networks that are still strategic to Canada to apply for additional funding,” says Dr. Louis Fortier.

Based at Laval Univ, ArcticNet represents the federal government’s largest ever financial commitment to study, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the impacts of climate change and modernization on the coastal Canadian arctic. The network includes more than 150 researchers from 34 Canadian universities that collaborate with different levels of government, local communities, Inuit organizations and industries.

Fortier says additional funding will enable ArcticNet researchers to continue to conduct time series — measurements that identify and compare climate changes over a long period of time.

“If you stop those measurements, the value of what has been done in the past drops immensely,” contends Fortier. “Each year that you add to those time series makes the time series much more valuable. So, the idea is to keep those measurements for as long as possible.”

“This is really encouraging because as the network stays relevant and strategic to Canada, it would be able to continue renewing itself every five years as it demonstrates that,” adds Leah Braithwaite, ArcticNet’s executive director.

Saint-Vil says established networks will have to make a case for renewed funding. Established networks will be competing with new networks for which 40% of the funding has been dedicated. He adds that new and established networks still have to meet the threshold of excellence and are subject to peer-review.

Fortier says ArcticNet has a precise roadmap of what the network plans to accomplish, but they are also working on new initiatives, such as finding innovative ways to translate research results into actions and informed decisions in the north.

“We also want to expand geographically to include other territories that are not included in ArcticNet so far. We also want to strengthen our connections with the private sector and the Inuit,” Fortier adds.

The door to allow sunsetting networks to apply for funding beyond the current 15-year limit was opened in Budgets 2016 and 2017 when the government awarded the Stem Cell Network $12 million and $6 million respectively to continue its work through 2018 and 2019.  In an Opinion Leader column for RE$EARCH MONEY stem cell researchers Drs Janet Rossant and Michael Rudnikci welcomed the new funding.

“Stable, predictable funding across the research continuum is critical. In that respect, Budget 2017 was encouraging for the stem cell research community, providing an additional $6 million to the sector through a year’s funding for the Stem Cell Network,” they wrote. “That investment will help drive innovative therapies and treatments into the clinic and marketplace, and support the training of the next generation of stem cell researchers.”

The situation was also highlighted by Dr Peter Frise scientific director and CEO of the sunsetted AUTO21 NCE, considered an influential element of Canada’s automotive industry and its attempts to stem the outflow of jobs and facilities.

“This “Sunset Rule” makes no sense, adds no value, is illogical and represents a loss to the country and its economy that is inexplicable,” said Frise in a 2016 paper he authored on AUTO21’s legacy.

Multidisciplinary

Saint-Vil says another emphasis this year is on networks that cut across different disciplines and different sectors, particularly the social sciences and humanities (SSH).

“This has always been part of the program,” he notes. “We want to put emphasis on it, given that this has proven to be one of the features of the program that makes it very popular for international partners looking for the best of the best in Canada. The fact is that when they join these networks… they know they are tapping into the reserve of excellence in Canada.”

The Naylor report described the current configuration of NCEs as “suboptimal” for SSH disciplines and recommended that a portion of direct project financing be used for the creation of new NCEs, some of which could be smaller and focus on disciplines such as SSH or mathematics.

The deadline to submit letters of intent is November 15.

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