Newfoundland Ocean Technology Support System
As in all technology sectors, development in the ocean technology industry requires swimming against the tide and requires significant supports. Newfoundland and Labrador is teeming with research, development and commercialization resources.
- National Research Council - Ocean Coastal and River Engineering
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The National Research Council's Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering (NRC-OCRE) offers specialized consulting and applied research services in ocean engineering, coastal engineering, solutions for water resources management, marine safety standards and technologies, as well as marine renewable energy assessments and technology. Facilities include:
- Cold Test laboratories (Refrigerated material test laboratory
- Towing tank (200m x 12m)
- Offshore engineering basin (75m x 32m)
- Ice tank (90m x 12m)
- Design and fabrication facilities for models and precision instrumentation
- Thermal lab and manikin
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Memorial University boasts multiple support institutions, including advanced research, technical training and education institutions. There is the Fisheries and Marine Institute or Marine Institute (MI) and its specialized schools – the School of Maritime Studies, which encompasses the Centre for Marine Simulation and the Offshore Safety and Survival Centre; the School of Ocean Technology; and the School of Fisheries, which comprises the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources, and the Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development. MUN also has the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. These institutions enable highly specialized basic and applied research with the ultimate goal of commercialization where possible.
- C-CORE
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To further support the sector, Memorial offers advanced technical consulting services through C-Core, a not-for profit research and development corporation. C-CORE provides innovative engineering solutions for clients around the world, including those in ocean technology.
- Genesis Group
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Located on the St. John’s campus of Memorial University at the INCO Innovation Centre, The Genesis Group is the technology commercialization arm of the University, and it comprises Genesis Research and The Genesis Centre.
- Genesis Research
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Genesis Research provides specialized technology commercialization services through its staff of specialized Industrial Liaison Officers (ILO) and Technology Commercialization Officers (TCO). Both aim to connect innovation with industry. ILOs come from industry and seek to connect industry innovation with university resources so that industry can appropriate the technology and make it commercially viable. TCOs come from the University and seek to connect MUN research with industry to commercialize it. Both have skills and connections with key partners in the area of patents and the protection of intellectual property.
- The Genesis Centre
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The Genesis Centre offers technology entrepreneurs access to a range of business services intended to help them develop a high growth enterprise. These include:
- business resources, such as world-class mentors and experienced advisory boards, business plan development and learning and networking events
- technical and scientific resources of Memorial University
- physical resources, such as office space and equipment, boards rooms, and videoconferencing facilities
- intangible benefits from being a part of a well-regarded entrepreneurial community.
To support ocean technology specifically, Genesis partners with OTEC. Admission to OTEC’s technical incubation program automatically guarantees entrance into The Genesis Centre, so that entrepreneurs can simultaneously develop their products and business. The Genesis Centre is a network member of NRC-IRAP.
- National Research Council and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Federal agencies include The National Research Council (NRC) and The Atlantic Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
NRC funds technical research and development through its Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) and in-kind contributions through the Institute for Ocean Technology (IOT).
ACOA supports commercialization initiatives through numerous programs.
- Innovation, Business and Rural Development and Research and Development Corporation
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador allocated $28 million over 5 years for new funding through 2 agencies: The Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development (IBRD); and the Research and Development Corporation (RDC).
Through IBRD, Newfoundland has created 2 ocean technology programs for private for-profit enterprise: OceanTech Global (for national and international markets), and OceanTech Smart Growth (for economic development in the province).
RDC supports this sector through its voucher and Proof of Concept programs.
- Scientific Research & Experimental Development
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The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program is a federal tax incentive program designed to encourage companies to engage in research and development.
- Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprise
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The Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises (EDGE) Program is a provincial tax rebate program intended to assist in the establishment or expansion of businesses.
Technical and Scientific Resources
Commercialization and Business Incubation Services
Commercialization is essential for developing the sector. To support this objective, Memorial University offers specialized commercialization services and business incubation services, designed to help emerging companies develop their products and get them to market.
Funding
A number of funding alternatives are available in Newfoundland and Labrador to financially support research and development. Four main provincial and federal agencies exist.