Government Support

In March of 2009, the Government of Canada announced our centre; the Centre for Surgical Invention & Innovation (CSii) as a NEW Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR).  As a CECR, CSii will create jobs, improve the quality of life for Canadians and strengthen the Canadian reputation as a global innovator.

Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)

Since being launched in 1989, Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) has been hailed around the world as a precedent-setting model for connecting research and development to the economic and social well-being of our country. Innovation, excellence, impact and results are trademarks of the programs of the NCE.

The Networks of Centres of Excellence invests in networks and centres that:

• Stimulate leading-edge research in areas of importance to Canada
• Build on nation-wide and international partnerships
• Develop and retain world-class research and research translation capabilities
• Create innovative knowledge and technology transfer opportunities and mechanisms
• Manage research resources and programs in an efficient and cost-effective manner

Across-the-board success in knowledge generation, technology transfer and the leveraging of private sector investment has made the NCE and its programs a paradigm of multidisciplinary, cross-sector collaboration practices.

In support of the Federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, the Networks of Centres of Excellence launched three new visionary programs. Along with the original NCE program, these collaborative models will result in highly effective solutions to Canada’s economic and social challenges.

To ensure maximum success, the NCE new models focus on four strategic concerns:

• Increase industry investment in research and development partnerships
• Engage highly qualified experts within industrial sectors
• Encourage academics and professionals from various disciplines to collaborate on innovations that ensure a bight and stable future for Canada
• Accelerate the commercialization of technologies, products and services

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR)

In 2007, the Government of Canada invested $285 million over five years to create the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program - one of the visionary programs supporting the Federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy.

This innovative model creates centres to advance research and facilitate commercialization of technologies, products and services within the four priority areas identified in the Federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. The four areas are: Environment; Natural Resources and Energy; Health and Life Sciences; and Information and Communications Technologies.

There are currently 17 active CECRs. The centres focus on biotechnology, digital media, drug research and development, energy efficiency, personalized medicine, green chemistry, cancer treatment, ocean observatories, and prostate cancer research, as well as many other areas.
Building on the success of the original Networks of Centres of Excellence program which funds research, the CECR program supports the operating expenses of a centre, and the commercialization of research projects ready to move forward into tangible products or services. The CECR program helps bridge the gap between innovation and commercialization, allowing new products and technologies to go to market more easily.

With Canada’s support, CSii will develop and commercialize a new class of robotic platforms for targeted, less invasive surgical and medical interventions. These innovations will dramatically improve patient outcomes, reduce the length of hospital stays and recovery periods, and allow patients to return to full activity following major procedures far more quickly than conventional procedures.  Our vision meets the Federal Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy of our government.

Source: www.nce-rce.gc.ca