Why did the NCE Secretariat introduce changes to the 2009 Competition?
Every five years, the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program undergoes an evaluation to ensure that it is meeting its mandate and continues to provide value to the Canadian taxpayer. The program underwent two separate reviews in 2007: first a formal program evaluation as per the terms and conditions of the Program and as required by the Treasury Board, and an independent International Advisory Committee (IAC) review mandated by the NCE Steering Committee. Both exercises produced recommendations to update the Program and better align it with the Government’s Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. The criteria for the new NCEs that will be created through this competition are in line with those recommendations. The criteria are designed to increase accountability and place greater emphasis on finding concrete, multifaceted solutions to (a) complex Canadian problem(s), challenge(s) or opportunity(ies).
