The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) was founded in 1989 as a joint initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Finding solutions to major social, economic or health issues calls for a collaborative approach and a wide range of research expertise. Since its creation in 1989, the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program has successfully brought together the best minds in many disciplines and sectors to solve these critical issues for Canadians.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 contribute nearly $90 million per year of cash and in kind support.
International acclaim has led other countries, including Australia, South Africa and some within the European Union, to incorporate the NCE model into their programs.
Four national programs bring together the right mix of people and organizations to address important issues for Canadians:
- Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) (includes the NCE Knowledge Mobilization [NCE-KM],the Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence [CIRCE],the NCE International Knowledge Translation Platforms [NCE-IKTP] initiatives)
- Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR)
- Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE).
