International Science and Technology Partnerships Program (ISTPP)

What is ISTPP?

The International Science & Technology Partnerships Program (ISTPP) was announced by the Government of Canada in June 2005, to promote international collaborative research and development activities. The five-year, $20-million program will increase the international competitiveness and prosperity of Canada by building stronger science and technology relationships with Israel, India, China and Brazil.

The ISTPP will foster and support bilateral research projects which have the potential for commercialization between Canada and identified partner countries. It will also stimulate bilateral science and technology networking and matchmaking activities to further new partnerships and accelerate the commercialization of research and development. The ISTPP is a "seed fund", meaning that various other public and private sector participants are also encouraged to bring S&T expertise and funds of their own to the bilateral relationship.

Program Objectives

The objectives of the International Science and Technology Partnerships Program (ISTPP) are to:

• encourage domestic competitiveness through the transfer of technology and knowledge resulting from international science and technology partnerships;
• foster international science and technology (S&T) partnerships and collaborative research in all sectors, with an emphasis on industry-industry partnerships and university-industry partnerships;
• accelerate the commercialization of research and development (R&D) through international partnerships with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises;
• access international technologies for Canadian enterprises;
• promote Canadian R&D capacity and Canada as a destination for foreign technology-based investments;
• encourage the mobility of researchers and promote Canada as a career destination for foreign researchers and highly qualified personnel; and
• strengthen overall bilateral science and technology relations.

Program Results

The results of the program include:

• fostering the global networks critical to improved commercialization;
• access to the world's best facilities, equipment, talent and knowledge; and
• wealth creation resulting from increased Canadian production of innovative goods and services through international linkages.

Responsibility and Accountability

The overall responsibility and accountability for the ISTPP rests with the Minister of International Trade. A Steering Committee made up of senior-level government representatives jointly appointed and co-chaired by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) and Industry Canada, has been established to provide direction to and oversight for the program delivery organizations, and to advise the Minister on changes and additions to program priorities. The Steering Committee is supported by a small secretariat - the Innovation, Science and Technology Division of DFAIT.

Program Delivery

DFAIT has selected International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada) as the delivery organization for the India, China and Brazil components of the ISTPP. ISTPCanada is a not-for-profit arms-length organization incorporated in Canada which will support up to 50% of the costs of approved joint research projects proposed by companies and universities/colleges and other private sector research and development institutes. In addition, ISTPCanada will conduct matchmaking activities and contribute funding to projects conducted by companies through the Professional Development Activity (PDA) process.

The primary activity of the arms-length delivery organizations is to deliver program activities under the respective bilateral agreements, including:

• Providing funding and other support to partnering activities that foster alliances between Canadian research organizations (industry, university and government) and their counterparts in the selected countries; and
• Supporting Canadian participation in collaborative research projects.

The Canada Israel Industrial Research & Development Foundation (CIIRDF) is the delivery organization for the Israel component of the ISTPP. It is an arms-length bilateral organization incorporated in Canada which fosters and supports bilateral research projects between Canadian and Israeli companies and supports up to 50% of the costs of approved joint research projects. CIIRDF also organizes and delivers a number of "match-making" events designed to bring together Canadian and Israeli companies to explore partnership opportunities. Funding from each country is provided annually to the Foundation. The program is governed by a six member Board of Directors with half of its members selected by each country. The Board is responsible for all major funding decisions. CIIRDF, with its Program office located in Canada, is managed by a Canadian President and the Chairman of the Board is appointed by the Israeli government.

The delivery organizations have considerable independence on their choice of projects and activities to fund, and operate with minimal guidance from the government; however, they will adhere to Canada's policy of respecting human rights and will ensure that all projects will be for peaceful, non-military purposes and contribute to the strategic objectives of the ISTPP program and the priorities of the Canadian government.

Partner Countries

Israel

The Canada-Israel Agreement for Industrial Research and Development Cooperation was signed on March 27, 2006. The Agreement renewed the bilateral commitment for the Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF) and provides funding of up to $1 million per year for five years from each country.

Contact Information

Requests for project funding for Israel should be directed to CIIRDF

371A Richmond Road
Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7
Tel: (613) 724-1284
Fax: (613) 724-1134

Dr. Henri Rothschild, President
hrothschild@istpcanada.ca

Canada Manager: Tomoko Nishino
tomoko@ciirdf.ca
Tel: (416)729-3069, ext. 227

India

The Canada-India Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed on November 18, 2005 with contributions from ISTPP of $6.75M over 5 years.

China

The Canada-China Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed on January 16, 2007 with a contribution from ISTPP of $5.25M over 4 years

Brazil

Canada is currently negotiating an S&T agreement with Brazil. When the Agreement is ratified by Canada, the contribution from ISTPP will be $1.5M over 2 years.

Project Proposals and Evaluation

Calls for Proposals (CFPs) for collaborative R&D with identified countries will be announced periodically, typically once or twice per year, conditional on the funding processes of the partner country. ISTPCanada and CIIRDF are responsible for issuing the Call for Proposals in Canada. To have the most up-to-date information on upcoming calls and procedures please visit the web sites on a regular basis.

The evaluation process will include third party expert evaluations of project proposals, with the final decision body being the Board of Directors of each respective delivery organization. The delivery organization must ensure:

• the project contributes to the strategic objectives of the ISTPP program;
• the priorities of the Canadian government are met including technological and net economic benefits;
• is technologically feasible;
• that funding under ISTPP is necessary to ensure project proceeds with the desired scope; and
• in the event of a commercial success, funding is repaid in whole or in part.

Contact Information

Requests for project funding for India and China should be directed to ISTPCanada

Address for ISTPCanada

371A Richmond Road, Suite 4
Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7
Tel: (613) 729-3069
Fax: (613) 729-3061

Dr. Henri Rothschild, President
hrothschild@istpcanada.ca
Tel: (613) 729-3069 ext 222

Country Manager for India
Bharat Rudra
BharatRudra@istpcanada.ca
Tel:(613)729-3069 ext 224

Country Manager for China
Stacy Chew
stacychew@istpcanada.ca
Tel:(613)729-3069 ext 223

For more general ISTPP information, please contact:

Dominic Jean
Innovation, Science & Technology Division
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Tel: (514) 283-1395
Fax:(514) 283-8794
Email: dominic.jean@international.gc.ca