Category Archives: R&D Policy

A colleague –with experience on a selection committee– explains below why the new binning system may be announcing “very good days ahead for bad science”. He makes 3 important points in his message below:

NSERC Discovery Grants II includes a discussion on the effect of the new “binning system” on the Discovery Grant Program.  I have received since many reports and opinions identifying and emphasizing various flaws in the system. There seems to be unanimity … Continue reading →

NSERC responded today to several of our older posts concerning their programs and policies. You can find their responses in the “Comments section”  following the posts in question (listed in reverse chronological order): NSERC’s 3 newest programs NSERC Discovery Grants … Continue reading →

We reported earlier that in the 2010 federal budget, NSERC received a $13 million budget increase, $5-million of which were ear-marked for the Research Partnership Program (RPP). So, what did NSERC do with the remaining $8-million?

First, we graduate too few of them. Secondly, they are snubbed by Canada’s private sector and thirdly, they end up south of the border longing to come back. (Thanks Eddy!)

We have already reported that the success rate for NSERC’s Discovery Grants have fallen from 71 per cent in 2008, to 64 percent in 2009, and to a record-low level of 58 per cent this year. Not to be outdone, … Continue reading →

Here are some answers to the questions in yesterday’s post, put in the global context of the granting system. 1.   Let’s start with the boring stuff. The three programs are new, though “Frontiers” is newer and just off the … Continue reading →

I have blogged in the past about an imminent threat to the Erwin Schrödinger Institute (ESI) in Vienna, Austria. The Austrian Ministry of Science had informed the ESI on November 8, 2010, that the institute’s funding would be terminated on … Continue reading →

Take a guess. Answers and more will be given tomorrow. See attached presentation below, to get the full shpeel.

“Attacking early research efforts as wasteful seems akin to telling 8-year-olds they shouldn’t waste their time dreaming about their future.” But the merchants of ignorance, south of the border, are back gearing up for a new cycle. The new republican … Continue reading →

Finally, the long-awaited announcement from the Council of Canadian Academies: “The Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), asked the Council of Canadian Academies to examine the international practices and supporting evidence used … Continue reading →

Alex Usher, President, Higher Education Strategy Associates, is echoing a theme I touched upon here a few weeks ago. But he is better at it! I talked about how Canada is in a global war for talent. He wants  “our … Continue reading →

Industry Minister Clement has announced a $300 million investment in a research and development project by aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada. The investment is expected to “create more than 700 highly skilled jobs during the project work phase, … Continue reading →