March 1, 2017 – Halifax, NS — Two Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) – the Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) and the Canadian Frailty Network (CFN) are receiving renewed support of more than $52 million from the Government of Canada. At MEOPAR, this funding will support research aimed at developing new technologies to prevent and mitigate marine hazards. At CFN, renewed funding will improve care for elderly Canadians.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science announced today that MEOPAR will receive $28.5 million and CFN will receive $23.9 million over five years, allowing the networks to continue the ground-breaking research they began in 2012.

These investments are the result of the most recent competition for the Networks of Centres of Excellence program. Funded networks solve critical issues important to Canadians and help to commercialize and apply homegrown Canadian research. Through its network partnership model, the NCE program increases private and public sector research and development, and helps train Canadians for the high-value, high quality jobs important to Canada’s middle class.

Quotes

“By bringing together partners from academia, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations, these networks are tackling two key issues for Canadians from a variety of angles. In Halifax, these collaborations help ensure that Canadians are protected from ocean hazards. In Kingston, the network helps improve end-of-life care for all Canadians. Innovations made through these two networks will improve the quality of life of all Canadians and help support Canada’s middle class.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

“Networks of Centres of Excellence conduct critical research by bringing together the best and brightest from a variety of sectors. Their discoveries have tangible impacts on the quality of life of Canadians, from marine protection to end-of-life care. We look forward to seeing the discoveries they will make over the next five years, and how those are translated into solutions.”
– B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and Chair, Networks of Centres of Excellence Steering Committee

“The renewal of MEOPAR allows us to push even further in harnessing the abilities and creativity of Canada’s universities, and especially our students and young researchers, to address rapidly changing risks of our marine environment. The risks arise from both human activity and environmental change, and they’re encountered every day by coastal communities, marine industries and mariners all along Canada’s vast coastline and ocean spaces. MEOPAR has developed a strong model for connecting researchers with partners in government, NGOs and communities across Canada in order to deliver knowledge, new technologies and, importantly, trained people. We’re excited by the opportunity to have a major impact on the well-being of Canada.”
– Douglas Wallace, Scientific Director, MEOPAR

“The Canadian Frailty Network is driving change in healthcare practices to improve care and quality of life by exposing older patients, their caregivers and health professionals to evidence-based frailty practice and assessment which embraces rehabilitative and social supports.”
– John Muscedere, Scientific Director, CFN

Quick facts

The networks will receive a combined $52 million from 2017-21. During their first term from 2012-17, MEOPAR received $25 million and CFN received $23.9 million.
MEOPAR (Halifax, NS) facilitates partnerships between academia, government, the insurance industry, the oil and gas sector, the marine transportation sector, ocean technology firms, coastal communities and NGOs to reduce Canada’s vulnerability to marine hazards and emergencies.
CFN (Kingston, ON) improves care for Canadians living with frailty, increases frailty recognition and assessment, supports research and interventions, and mobilizes evidence to transform health and social care for frail older Canadians.

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Backgrounder

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Contacts

Stefanie Power
Office of the Minister of Science
343-291-2600

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Lucy Lai
Media and Public Affairs Officer
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
613-996-2341

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Photo Credit: Nick Pearce Photos

Backgrounder

Announcement of NCE renewal competition results

Since its creation in 1989, the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program has successfully brought together the best minds in many disciplines and sectors to solve major social, economic or health issues for Canadians.

The program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural, and social scientists and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and contribute nearly $90 million per year of cash and in kind support. International acclaim has led other countries, including Australia, South Africa and some within the European Union, to incorporate the NCE model into their programs.

The NCE program currently supports 12 research networks.

As a result of the 2016 NCE renewal competition, two networks were awarded additional funding. The total funding awarded in this competition is $52 million over five years.

RENEWED NETWORKS

Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction and Response Network – MEOPAR
$28.5 million for 2017-2021
Headquarters: Halifax, NS

MEOPAR facilitates partnerships between academia, government, the insurance industry, the oil and gas sector, the marine transportation sector, ocean technology firms, coastal communities and NGOs to reduce Canada’s vulnerability to marine hazards and emergencies. The network develops and tests new technologies and strategies to guide response to existing marine hazards. MEOPAR also studies the patterns of marine emergencies and extremes of the future, and develops tools to anticipate, plan and adapt to the changing marine environment.

Canadian Frailty Network – CFN
$23.9 million for 2017-2021
Headquarters: Kingston, ON

CFN improves care for older Canadians living with frailty, increases frailty recognition and assessment, supports research and interventions, and mobilizes evidence to transform health and social care for frail older Canadians. The network facilitates a collaborative and family-centric approach across disciplines and sectors to identify gaps in care and develop solutions to complex questions from acute and critical care to community care. CFN aims to improve the efficiency of the health care system and evidence-informed policy and practice.