Government
Alberta Ingenuity Fund
Established in 2000, Alberta Ingenuity is the trade name for the Alberta
Heritage Foundation for Science and Engineering Research. Similar to the
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta Ingenuity is
funded by the Alberta government and operates exclusively in research. The
mandate of Alberta Ingenuity is promotion of knowledge and its application
for the benefit of all Albertans. Alberta Ingenuity supports researchers
primarily at the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge but also
provides funding for several public colleges and technical institutes.
One of Alberta Ingenuity's main objectives is promoting
young Albertans to explore careers in science and engineering research.
They have launched a number of programs to encourage youth and student
involvement in the sciences. The
Earth and Sky radio
program provides information on interesting and relevant scientific facts
for both adults and students in two, two-minute segments. Alberta
Ingenuity also sponsors summer camps at the
University of
Alberta and
University of Calgary
to discover the excitement of science and engineering. CISTI:
Canadian Institute for Scientific and Technological Information
The Canadian Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (CISTI)
was established in 1924 as the library for the National Resource Council
of Canada (NRC). In 1957 the library was renamed to the National Science
Library and by 1974 became the Canadian Institute for Scientific and
Technological information to reflect the wide range of services provided
and the increasing role of digital information and service to the science
and technology community within Canada. CISTI is one of the world's
largest for information in science, technology, engineering and medicine.
CISTI's major focus is to ensure that Canadian
researchers have immediate access to scientifically valid information,
from any source and in any form. Information is essential in the creation,
improvement and development of new products and new innovations and the CISTI library, with over 20
kilometres of shelves filled with publications
of all sorts, provides this information to all Canadians. CISTI is
committed to the Canadian Innovation Strategy, and its emphasis on
strengthening Canada's knowledge-based economy. Canadian
Intellectual Property Office
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) is an operating agency of
Industry Canada. CIPO administers the intellectual property system in
Canada and distributes and processes intellectual property information.
Intellectual property, as defined by CIPO, is ideas, designs and
creativitythe keys to a prosperous and thriving society. CIPO believes
that the orderly exchange of ideas and information within a society is as
equally important as the flow of money or goods and services.
CIPO issues legal recognition for original ideas,
designs or creations to protect the intellectual property of innovative
Canadians. CIPO provides government protection and legal rights similar to
owning a piece of land. These government protections are known as patents,
trademarks and copyrights. CIPO considers these protections to be
incentives for innovation and invention in Canada. By providing legal
protection and exclusive rights, CIPO ensures that citizens can use their
intellectual property to make money.
Edmonton Innovation Centre
The Edmonton Innovation Centre assists emerging knowledge-based business
by providing them with the skills and resources needed to commercialize
their products. This organization is affiliated with the National Research
Council (NRC) and uses NRC laboratories and institutes to assist local
businesses. The centre acts as a vehicle to promote innovation in the
community by bringing stakeholders, clients, organizations and
associations with common technological interests together.
Established as a joint venture between the National Research Council,
Western Economic Diversification, Alberta Economic Development, Alberta
Research Council, Economic Development Edmonton and the University of
Alberta, the Edmonton Innovation Centre is a government-sponsored
enterprise and receives the majority of its funding from Alberta
Innovation and Science. The Edmonton Innovation Centre also provides an
Innovation Business Centre, designed to provide emerging technology
companies with the proper facilities to promote their growth and
expansion. Industry Canada
Industry Canada's primary objective is to foster a growing competitive,
knowledge-based Canadian economy. Industry Canada is a department of the
federal government and works with Canadians throughout the country to
improve conditions for investment and innovation as well as increase trade
and establish a healthy, proficient economy. The department functions in a
number of areas, which include developing industry and technological
capability, promoting scientific research, setting telecommunication
policy, promoting investment and trade, promoting tourism and small
business development and supporting the development and stability of the
marketplace.
One of Industry Canada's major platforms is innovation. The department has
recognized innovation as a critical factor for success in all areas of
commerce. Their mandate promotes an innovation culture to transform Canada
into the world's leading innovator. They propose that a co-operative
effort between government, academia, the research community and the
private sector will increase the level of productivity and innovation in
the country and establish Canada with a potent knowledge-based economy. National Research
Council of Canada
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) was established over 80
years ago as Canada's premier organization for research and development.
The NRC now includes 19 different institutes and national programs
covering a number of fields and disciplines. NRC institutes and programs
are organized into two key areas: technology and industry support and the
Research and Technology Development Program. Technology and support
focuses on the industrial or commercial concerns assisting emerging
technological firms (similar to Edmonton Innovation). The Research and
Technology Development Program is focused on fundamental science, the more
traditional branch of research and development.
The protocol for the National Research Council has been outlined by the
Canadian government in the National Research Council Act. According
to this mandate, the NRC is responsible for undertaking, assisting or
promoting scientific and industrial research in a variety of fields. The
major contribution of the NRC to the Canadian public is communication,
providing a central resource for the sharing of information between
research and industrial communities.
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