International Science and Technology Partnerships Program - ISTPP

What is ISTPP?

The International Science and Technology Partnerships Program (ISTPP) was announced by the Government of Canada in June 2005, to promote collaborative research and development between Canadian and foreign scientists and technologists.

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 partner countries that have been proposed by companies and universities/colleges and other private sector research and development institutes. It will also stimulate bilateral science and technology networking and matchmaking activities to further new partnerships and accelerate the commercialization of research and development.

Program Objectives

• 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

• 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 Science and Technology Division of DFAIT.

Program Delivery

To further the objectives of the ISTPP, contributions are made from DFAIT to arms-length non-government organizations to conduct matchmaking activities and contribute funding to projects conducted by companies, universities/colleges and other research and development institutes in Canada and the partner countries. The arms-length organizations will be responsible for conducting program activities within the selected bilateral science and technology relationships with Israel, India, China, and Brazil.

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 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.

Delivery Organization

The delivery organization for the Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Agreement is Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF).

DFAIT has selected International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada) as the arms-length delivery organization to further the government's objectives for the India and China components of the ISTPP.

The selection of the arms-length organization for India and China was conducted through an open and competitive process. After a thorough evaluation and analysis, it was decided that the winning proposal was the one which proposed to establish the new and separate not-for-profit arms-length organization - International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada. Contribution Agreements for the India and China components of the ISTPP were signed on March 8, 2007.

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.

CIIRDF, the delivery organization for Israel component of the ISTPP, 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.

In the case of Canada, the funding is provided through a contribution agreement. 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.

India

The Canada-India Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed on November 18, 2005. The Canadian ISTPP contributions of $6,750,000 over 4 years, to bilateral S&T collaboration will be through the delivery organization - International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada).

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.

The initial areas of cooperation were identified through the Canada-India S&T Mapping Study (complementarity study) and as agreed under the Science and Technology Agreement are: nanoscience and nanomedicine; information and telecommunications technology; biotechnology, health research and medical devices; sustainable and alternate energy and environmental technologies; and, earth sciences and natural disasters management.

China

The Canada-China Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed in Beijing on January 16, 2007. The Canadian ISTPP contributions of $5,250,000 over 4 years, to bilateral S&T collaboration will be through the delivery organization - International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada).

The Joint Complementarity Study (JCS) identified areas which initially have the greatest potential for mutually beneficial collaboration. Those areas of cooperation agreed are: energy; environment; health and life sciences/biotechnology; and, agricultural foods and bio-products.

Brazil

Canada intends to negotiate an S&T agreement with Brazil in the future and the ISTPP contributions will be made through International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada).

Project Proposals and Evaluation

It is important to note that any requests for project funding for India or China should be directed to ISTPCanada. While the government contribution funds will be available to the delivery organization in April 2007, it is expected that it will take a few weeks for the organization to get established and be ready to accept proposals.

In March and April 2007, the organization will also be developing protocols with India and China for issuing and evaluating Joint Calls for Proposals. For planning purposes, researchers in the SME and academic sectors should anticipate responding to a Joint Call for Proposals from the delivery organization for projects with both India and China in April or May 2007, but it may take longer depending on the time it takes to prepare the protocol and the Joint Call for Proposals. The preparation of the proposals by the applicants may take two to three months and the evaluation may take an additional two months.

Therefore, the first funded projects may be announced as early as September 2007. In addition to project funding, ISTPCanada will be arranging for various networking and matchmaking events such as workshops and symposia.

ISTPCanada will soon be rolling out their program of activities through a press release and their soon to be opened website. They may also be contacted at:

For more general ISTPP information, please contact