2023–24 Departmental Results Report: Details on transfer payment programs (TPPs)
Table of Contents
- Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
- Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
- Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
- Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support (voted)
- Institute Support Grants (voted)
- Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
- Business-Led Centres of Excellence (voted)
- Canada 150 Research Chairs (voted)
- Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (voted)
- College and Community Innovation (voted)
Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)
| Start date | 2008 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2021–22 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Investigator-Initiated Research |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program | The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is a Tri-Agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), on behalf of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and SSHRC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023–24, the program supported 45 Canada Excellence Research Chairs with a total budget of $36.7M, including fourteen research chairs (31%) that align with CIHR’s mandate, twenty-four research chairs (53%) that align with NSERC’s mandate and seven research chairs (16%) that align with SSHRC’s mandate. The fourth CERC competition was delivered in 2023–24, awarding a total of $248M over 8 years in support of 34 new CERCs at 18 Canadian postsecondary institutions. As announced in Budget 2022, this investment includes $63.7M of funding for new research chairs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It represents the largest number of CERCs awarded in a single competition in the history of the program. Of the 34 grants awarded in the fourth competition, 53% of the funded CERC chairs were women, and 29% were racialized individuals. Twenty chairholders from the fourth cohort began their tenure at fourteen Canadian institutions in 2023–24 with the rest expected to begin their positions in the first five months of 2024–25. These chairs are expected to develop a governance plan, data management plan, research proposal and EDI action plan, all of which will be submitted in 2024–25. The midterm reviews of the eight active CERCs awarded in the third competition were undertaken during 2023–24. The steering committee approved all review panel recommendations for the CERCs to continue to receive funding. The program contributes to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-renowned researchers, emerging talent, and partners from various sectors, nationally and internationally, helping to build a critical mass of expertise in strategic areas that will improve Canadians’ health and enrich Canada’s society and economy. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 | The last evaluation of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs was completed in 2020–21 and the next evaluation is planned to be completed by March 2026. There are no evaluation findings to report during this reporting period. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 5,250,000 | 4,200,000 | 5,800,000 | 11,594,000 | 11,593,991 | 5,793,991 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 5,250,000 | 4,200,000 | 5,800,000 | 11,594,000 | 11,593,991 | 5,793,991 |
| Explanation of variances | CIHR’s actual spending was $5.8M more than planned due to new funding received for the 2022 Canada Excellence Research Chair competition. | |||||
Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)
| Start date | 2014 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2014–15 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Investigator-Initiated Research |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps competitively selected Canadian postsecondary institutions turn their key strengths into world-leading capabilities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of the CIHR, the NSERC, and SSHRC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
Eleven recipients from the third CFREF competition (awarded in 2022–23) continued to receive support in 2023–24, representing a Tri-Agency investment of $196.7M, with 24% of these funds falling under CIHR, 49% under NSERC, and 27% under SSHRC. The recipients have begun implementing their governance and research strategies, and developing EDI action plans, which will be submitted for formal evaluation in August 2024. Preparation for the CFREF symposium, to be hosted at the University of Calgary in May 2024, entered its final stages at the end of 2023–24. The previous CFREF symposium was held in 2019, so this symposium will bring together all three CFREF cohorts for the first time, enabling them to share strategies and best practices, develop solutions to mutual challenges, forge new connections and collaborative networks, and foster other synergies that will maximize the CFREF’s successes and the program’s overall benefit to Canadians. CFREF funding is helping Canada’s postsecondary institutions compete with the world’s best research establishments in attracting top talent and partnership opportunities to excel in research areas of economic and social advantage to Canada and to lead the world in developing solutions to critical global challenges, such as climate change, health crises, economic and social inequality, food sustainability, and enabling technologies. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 | The last evaluation of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund was completed in 2020–21 and the next evaluation is planned to be completed by March 2026. There are no evaluation findings to report during this reporting period. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 43,803,272 | 38,748,944 | 47,227,134 | 47,227,134 | 47,227,128 | (6) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 43,803,272 | 38,748,944 | 47,227,134 | 47,227,134 | 47,227,128 | (6) |
| Explanation of variances | The variance is immaterial. | |||||
Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
| Start date | 2003-04 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2009–10 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Training and Career Support |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
CIHR's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in health. This is a Tri-Agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC). There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
The CGS program strives to make Canada one of the world's top countries for research training and development to build an innovative and competitive economy, increase future job opportunities and, ultimately, generate social, economic, and cultural benefits for Canadians. In 2023–24, 815 Masters and 275 Doctoral awards were offered to applicants. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 | The Canada Graduate Scholarships were evaluated as part of the Talent Evaluation: An Evaluation of the Tri-agencies’ Support for Research Training and Talent Development led by the SSHRC/NSERC Evaluation Division. The evaluation was completed in September 2023 and the findings indicate opportunities for the agencies to diversify their reach and renew their contribution to research training. Recommendations are strategic and focused on this as well as recognizing the shared role and responsibility among multiple actors for the development of Canada’s future research community and for building a more coherent and equitable student funding system. The Management Response and Action Plan agrees with the strategic level recommendations and the Tri-agencies are taking action to strengthen and advance Tri-Agency training programs, policies, and processes. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and Tri-Agency or agency specific electronic communication. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 28,582,495 | 36,226,076 | 39,047,500 | 39,047,500 | 39,031,334 | (16,166) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 28,582,495 | 36,226,076 | 39,047,500 | 39,047,500 | 39,031,334 | (16,166) |
| Explanation of variances | The variance is immaterial | |||||
Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support (voted)
| Start date | 2000–01 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2011–12 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory |
|
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
CIHR provides a wide array of funding programs under this transfer payment program. This includes grants that provide support for the direct costs of research projects, for the training of researchers, or for activities that support the translation of research findings. Other funding includes direct salary and stipend support to individual researchers/scientists and research trainees. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
CIHR invested the funding in this program to fund a wide range of health research areas. CIHR grants and awards helped maintain a strong and diverse health research base, which is detailed in the 2023–24 Departmental Results Report. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
The following evaluations were completed for this TPP in 2023–24: the Evaluation of the Operating Support Program (OSP) and the Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR). The evaluation of the OSP concluded that funding investigator-initiated research remains an effective means to support health research and build health research capacity. The evaluation made three recommendations to improve CIHR’s investigator-initiated research: revise Project Grant Program objectives to support key aspects of the CIHR Act related to building health research capacity, ensure equity in funding distribution, and improve the monitoring and assessment of investigator-initiated research. CIHR agreed to all the evaluation’s recommendations in the management response, approved in 2023–24, and is implementing an action plan to continue to make improvements to the Project Grant Program. The evaluation of SPOR found that it is generating new knowledge, infrastructure, support services, capacity development, facilitating the application of research evidence in decision-making, and supporting a changing culture of health research in Canada by embedding the patient perspective and lived experience in the research process. As outlined in the management response, CIHR agrees with results and recommendations of the evaluation and is using the evaluation to inform the refresh of SPOR. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,182,821,346 | 1,139,511,929 | 1,149,345,057 | 1,156,651,747 | 1,131,599,604 | (17,745,453) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 1,182,821,346 | 1,139,511,929 | 1,149,345,057 | 1,156,651,747 | 1,131,599,604 | (17,745,453) |
| Explanation of variances | CIHR's actual spending was $17.7M less than planned due mainly to the re-profiling of the Clinical Trials Fund. | |||||
Institute Support Grants (voted)
| Start date | 2000–01 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2008–09 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Research in Priority Areas |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Institute Support Grant program provides funding to select Canadian academic institutions, including universities and teaching hospitals, to assist them in hosting the 13 Institutes of CIHR. The Institutes help CIHR maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities and to understand their needs. Each CIHR-appointed Scientific Director is among the top scientists in their field. Institutes help CIHR define its strategic health research priorities and develop research partnerships with other interested parties in health research. Institutes also organize conferences, seminars, and workshops, all with the goal of developing and disseminating health-related knowledge and best practices. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023–24, CIHR provided each of the host institutions a grant to support institute operations, including the salaries of Scientific Directors, Institute staff and other administrative expenses. Institute Support Grants also support activities that facilitate and develop national research networks linking the Institutes' respective research communities |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
The next evaluation of the Institute Support Grant program is planned for completion by 2026–27 as part of the Evaluation of CIHR Institutes. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes. Scientific Directors maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 15,216,400 | 15,872,158 | 15,781,200 | 16,267,241 | 16,267,241 | 486,041 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 15,216,400 | 15,872,158 | 15,781,200 | 16,267,241 | 16,267,241 | 486,041 |
| Explanation of variances | CIHR's actual spending was $0.5M greater than planned due to funding provided related to the oversight of strategic initiatives. | |||||
Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)
| Start date | 1997 |
|---|---|
| End date | 2023–24 |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2014–15 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Research in Priority Areas |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
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 bring cash and in-kind support. This program is a Tri-Agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program continued to mobilize multi-disciplinary research teams from across the country to help find solutions to major social, economic or health issues for Canada and train the next generation of highly qualified personnel. The gradual transition of NCE funding to the New Frontiers in Research Fund will continue over the next year with a complete wind-down of the NCE suite of programs by 2025–26. During the transition period, networks will continue to be supported until the end of their funding agreement. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
There are no plans to evaluate this program, as the Networks of Centres of Excellence is no longer an ongoing program, and its funds will be gradually transferred to the New Frontiers in Innovation Fund. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception (as a sunset program) in 1985. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 17,702,049 | 5,575,440 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 17,702,049 | 5,575,440 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Explanation of variances | No variance. | |||||
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)
| Start date | 2008–09 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2014–15 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Training and Career Support |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a Tri-Agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program, funded by the Government of Canada, invests up to $25M annually to attract and retain world-class doctoral students, establishing Canada as a global leader in research and higher education. This funding is distributed among CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. Each year, up to 166 scholarships are awarded to Canadian and international doctoral students at Canadian universities who exhibit leadership skills and a high level of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering, and health. In 2023–24, the Tri-Agency partners invested $24.9M over three years to support research training in these fields. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
The last evaluation of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships was completed in 2020–21 and the next evaluation is planned to be completed by March 2026. There are no evaluation findings to report during this reporting period. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 8,291,667 | 8,320,833 | 8,350,000 | 8,350,000 | 8,320,834 | (29,166) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 8,291,667 | 8,320,833 | 8,350,000 | 8,350,000 | 8,320,834 | (29,166) |
| Explanation of variances | The variance is immaterial | |||||
Business-Led Centres of Excellence (voted)
| Start date | 2007 |
|---|---|
| End date | 2023–24 |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2012–13 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Research in Priority Areas |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This Tri-Agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023–24, the BL-NCE program continued to help connect businesses to Canada’s world-class research enterprise. The total Tri-Agency investment in the BL-NCE program was close to $2M. The funding for BL-NCE suite of programs will be gradually transferred to ISED’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) as grants reach the end of their terms. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
There are no plans to evaluate this program as the BL-NCE was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated regularly (i.e., every 5 years) since its inception in 2007. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,432,376 | 1,496,334 | 447,135 | 447,135 | 447,135 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 2,432,376 | 1,496,334 | 447,135 | 447,135 | 447,135 | 0 |
| Explanation of variances | No variance. | |||||
Canada 150 Research Chairs (voted)
| Start date | 2017 |
|---|---|
| End date | 2025–26 |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2017–18 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Investigator-Initiated Research |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Canada 150 Research Chairs (C150) program provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023–24, the Canada 150 Research Chairs program invested a total of $12.3M to support 21 Canada 150 research chairs at 13 Canadian institutions, with four chairs (19%) that align with CIHR’s mandate, twelve chairs (57%) that align with NSERC, and five chairs (24%) that align with SSHRC. The program has attracted world-renowned researchers, emerging talent and partners from various sectors, both nationally and internationally, to conduct research in various disciplines such as chemistry, microbiology, evolutionary genomics, gender and African politics, global governance, neurosciences, epigenetics, public health and psychology. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
There is no evaluation planned for this program. The program has been evaluated within the 5-year period since its establishment as part of the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Evaluation). |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 2,700,000 | 0 |
| Explanation of variances | No variance. | |||||
Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (voted)
| Start date | 2007 |
|---|---|
| End date | 2023–24 |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2012–13 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Research in Priority Areas |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023–24, the CECR program continued to help connect businesses to Canada’s world-class research enterprise. As part of the NCE suite of programs, the CECR will be gradually transferred to ISED’s Strategic Innovation Fund as grants reach the end of their term. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2022–23 | There are no plans to evaluate this program as the CECR was transferred to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) managed by ISED and will be evaluated as part of the SIF. This program has been evaluated 3 times since its inception in 2007. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 7,206,000 | 4,133,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 7,206,000 | 4,133,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Explanation of variances | No variance. | |||||
College and Community Innovation (voted)
| Start date | 2007 |
|---|---|
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Appropriated annually through the Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2018–19 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Research in Priority Areas |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by the NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC. The CCI Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises , in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation, and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada. There is no repayable contribution under this TPP. |
| Results achieved |
In 2023, the Federal Budget allocated $108.6M over three years to expand the CCI program, enabling increased support for Canadian businesses' access to expertise and R&D facilities. This funding facilitated the launch of new competitions, including the ARTI program which hadn't occurred since 2019 due to budget constraints. Additionally, it supported program growth and supplemented ongoing grants. The new terms and conditions of the program necessitated the establishment of a new governance structure with two executive-level committees comprising of members from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, CFI, ISED, and Health Canada. These committees oversee funding decisions under the councils’ respective mandates. The ongoing evaluation of the CCI program focuses on CCSIF grants, as well as the design and delivery of TAC grants, informing future plans to support the TAC community and associated funding parameters. |
| Findings of audits completed in 2023–24 | There were no audits in 2023–24. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2023–24 |
The evaluation of the College and Community Innovation program is planned to be completed by March 2025. There are no evaluation findings to be reported during this reporting period. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2023–24 | A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery. |
| Type of transfer payment | 2021–22 Actual spending | 2022–23 Actual spending | 2023–24 Planned spending | 2023–24 Total authorities available for use | 2023–24 Actual spending (authorities used) | Variance (2023–24 actual minus 2023–24 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,228,579 | 1,634,927 | 1,555,416 | 1,195,126 | 1,195,126 | (360,290) |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 1,228,579 | 1,634,927 | 1,555,416 | 1,195,126 | 1,195,126 | (360,290) |
| Explanation of variances | CIHR’s actual spending was $0.4M less than planned to the awarding of fewer grants aligned to CIHR’s mandate. | |||||
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