Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) which developed the first practical motorized wheelchair and the first artificial pacemaker, will now be more oriented to industry and business oriented goals.
“The refocused NRC will provide Canadian industries with access to strategic research and development, technical services and specialized scientific infrastructure they need to succeed,” said Minister of State for Science and Technology Garry Goodyear on Tuesday (May 7).
According to the NRC press release: “The refocused NRC will support Canadian industries by investing in large-scale research projects that are directed by and for Canadian business.”
In the refocused NRC the funding risk sharing will be shared, with taxpayers paying more. Business involvement will be between 30 and 50 per cent, according to a report from The Huffington Post’s Ottawa Bureau Chief, Althia Raj. See here
This shift was already noted by the scientific journal Nature in April, 2011 in an article titled: “Canadian research shift makes waves – Agency’s focus on industry-driven projects raises concerns that basic science will suffer”.
Nature author Hannah Hoag noted “with 4,700 scientists, guest researchers, technologists and support staff pursuing specialities from astrophysics to plant biotechnology at its institutes, the NRC plays a vital part in the nation’s scientific community”.
More on the latest developments as details become available.
The National Research Council has been behind many discoveries and developments. Apart from the motorized wheelchair and the artificial pacemaker, the NRC has worked on a meningitis vaccine, developed canola, and researched using bacteria to create energy and many others.
More information:
Press release – Open for business: Refocused NRC will Benefit Canadian Industries – here
National Research Council discoveries and innovations – here
Nature – Agency’s focus on industry-driven projects raises concerns that basic science will suffer – here
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