TRLabs Seeking Subscribed Research Project Proposals from Industry

January 20, 2006 -- January 20, 2006 Edmonton, AB TRLabs today announced it is accepting submissions for its first annual Call for Proposals for Subscribed Research Program (SRP) projects. TRLabs is soliciting proposals from industry partners interested in leveraging TRLabs' expertise in information and communications technologies (ICT) to undertake applied research projects on their behalf.

Research topics may include but are not limited to: wireless communications; digital media; survivable networks; network modeling and protocols; home technologies; micro devices; and ehealth.

Under TRLabs' new SRP, up to $1,000,000 (CAD) in matching contributions will be available to support projects during the 2006/2007 fiscal year. Industry participation in subscribed projects also has the potential to be matched by external funding sources. Proposals may be submitted to TRLabs beginning immediately and will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis until matching funds have been depleted.

“The Call for Proposals allows us to market our research and development capacity to both existing and potential industry members, and will generate a greater number of quality proposals that can be weighed against TRLabs’ capacity and competencies,” says TRLabs Director Research Development Dr. Dave Morley.

TRLabs’ SRP, launched in 2005, provides industry partners with an opportunity to tap into world-class expertise in ICT to pursue specific research projects. The program targets shorter-term, more project-oriented industry R&D needs with the option for pre-negotiated intellectual property (IP) rights. Each subscribed project may involve one or more companies looking to collaborate in areas of mutual interest. Projects are expected to range in size, from small projects with a single researcher to larger projects involving several researchers and, perhaps, sub-projects. The duration of most projects will be from 4 months to 2 years. Companies are expected to participate actively in research projects. Depending on the size and scope of the research project, companies may also have the option of assigning technical staff to work on the project as collaborators and/or visiting researchers.

While industry contributions will typically be leveraged by other sources of project funding, projects may be wholly funded by industry members based on the scope of the project and the disposition of IP rights.

Seven subscribed projects are presently underway, complementing 62 active pooled research projects. The SRP is expected to grow to 25% of the TRLabs research program by 2011. More information about the SRP and project submission guidelines are available on the TRLabs website at www.trlabs.ca/trlabs/research/subscribed.

The introduction of the Subscribed Research Program comes in the wake of several recent actions taken to strengthen industry engagement in the research program. Vertical market research in eHealth, and Home Technologies was initiated in 2003. An industry-driven Research Advisory Group, and Research Focus Groups were introduced in 2004. A new position, Director Research Development, was created in 2005 to nurture industry research relationships. “This more project-oriented collaboration marks an evolution for TRLabs’ open consortium model,” says TRLabs President and CEO Dr. Roger Pederson. “It raises the bar for technology innovation, partnership and collaboration, and training of highly qualified personnel in an era where it’s more important than ever for companies to strengthen their competitive capabilities.”

About TRLabs

TRLabs creates innovative technologies and trains students to enhance ICT expertise and improve Canada’s global competitiveness. Labs in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg employ 250. With 49 partner members representing a unique synergy of industry, government, and university, research focuses on future network needs and demands: data networking, digital media, ehealth, home technologies, network systems, photonics, and wireless communications. In its 19-year existence, TRLabs has trained 810 highly skilled university graduates, created 290 technologies adopted for use by companies, and generated 157 patents issued or filed.

 

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