NRC — Plant growth research facilities
SK, Canada
Plant growth facilities in Saskatoon
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Researchers And Facilities
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Fee-for-service facility with an array of specialized equipment and controlled environment options for start to finish plant production and testing.
grant_single_labels|projects
Projects and activities eligible for the NRC Plant Growth Research Facilities grant are geared towards leveraging the advanced infrastructure for extensive plant research. The initiatives focus on a broad range of plant production and testing capabilities.
- Development and testing of new plant varieties under controlled environmental conditions.
- Research in plant breeding and cell technology using comprehensive growth chambers.
- Advancements in tissue culture techniques and secure seed storage solutions for long-term viability.
- Multiple-line experiments in transgenic and HVAC crop greenhouses.
- Utilization of precise abiotic and environmental testing platforms.
- Integration of NRC’s supplementary research and analytical platforms like hormone profiling and DNA services for extended research opportunities.
- Innovative applications in biofuels and anti-malarial compound development.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 30,000
Creating a high-yield organic tomato variant using innovative plant breeding techniques
$ 40,000
Development of drought-resistant soybean variety through precise abiotic testing
$ 30,000
Research on increasing corn resistance to pests using light quantification and spectral analysis
$ 50,000
Research on enhancing wheat crop yield using state-of-the-art plant growth chambers
$ 35,000
Innovative grape cultivation project focused on new variety development in Okanagan Valley
$ 35,000
Developing a disease-resistant rice variant using tissue culture at Laval University
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility criteria:
- Companies engaged in plant research and product development.
- Organizations seeking plant growth facilities for start-to-finish plant production and testing.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
There are eligible types of companies for this grant. Companies involved in live plant research, product development, plant breeding, and technology development are suitable candidates for utilizing the plant growth facilities.
- Companies engaged in cell technology and protocol development
- Plant breeding organizations
- Companies conducting abiotic and environmental testing
- Companies working on new crop, variety, and technology development
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant due to specific restrictions or requirements. It is important to review the eligibility criteria thoroughly before applying.
- Companies engaged in illegal activities
- Non-profit organizations
- Companies outside of Canada
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant is open to projects utilizing the NRC's plant growth facilities to advance live plant research and product development. Eligible activities span various research and technological development efforts aiming at improving plant growth and production.
- Development of cell technology and plant breeding protocols.
- Precise testing and storage under controlled abiotic and environmental conditions.
- Research on new crop varieties and technology development.
- Integration with NRC's analytical and research platforms such as hormone profiling and mass spectrometry.
- Utilization of tissue culture facilities and growth chambers for diverse plant research purposes.
- Utilization of HVAC crop and transgenic plant centre greenhouses for experimental and production purposes.
- Support for storage and viability of seeds under optimal conditions.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Relevance of the proposed research to plant growth and development
- Likelihood of the project contributing to scientific advancements or commercial applications
- Evidence of a clear research plan and defined objectives
- Potential impact of the research on industry or society
- Demonstrated need for the resources and expertise of the plant growth facilities
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for this grant:
- Step 1: Contact Business Development
- Reach out to April Luong, Director of Business Development, via email at April.Luong@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
- Inquire about the application process for accessing the plant growth facilities.
- Gather initial information on what documentation and project details might be required.
- Step 2: Define Research Objectives
- Outline the research project objectives that will leverage the plant growth facilities.
- Identify how the facilities’ equipment and services will support the project goals.
- Prepare a preliminary project proposal specifying the required resources and expected outcomes.
- Step 3: Technical Inquiry and Planning
- Contact Ivor Smith at 306-975-6079 or Ivor.Smith@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca for technical details.
- Discuss specific technical requirements and capabilities needed for your project.
- Plan the project timeline and logistics with technical staff support.
- Step 4: Compile Application Documentation
- Gather all necessary documents including detailed project proposals, technical requirements, and budget details.
- Ensure compliance with all facility usage guidelines and safety protocols.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Follow instructions provided by the business development team for submission.
- Email the complete application package to the specified contact or upload to a directed portal.
- Confirm submission and await further instructions or feedback.
- Step 6: Receive Confirmation
- Receive confirmation of receipt from the NRC’s plant growth facilities team.
- Note any additional steps or information required post-submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for using the plant growth facilities:
- Collaboration with plant growth facilities may provide access to additional NRC expertise in areas such as bioinformatics and analytical research.
- The facilities offer scalable and customizable solutions, providing flexibility for various research needs.
- Clients have access to a variety of specialized equipment including automated track sprayers, seed cleaning equipment, and light quantification tools.
- There is potential for leveraging the plant growth facilities to support diverse research fields such as biofuels, crop development, and pharmaceutical compounds.
grant_single_labels|contact
306-975-4573
Apply to this program
Exploring Advanced Plant Growth Facilities in Canada
The National Research Council’s Plant Growth Facilities provide a comprehensive suite of advanced research and development solutions for plant-based innovations. With extensive infrastructure and expert support, they serve as a vital resource for projects ranging from plant breeding to groundbreaking biofuel and pharmaceutical developments.
In-Depth Overview of Plant Growth Facilities and Their Pivotal Role
The Plant Growth Facilities of the National Research Council (NRC) in Canada stand as a cornerstone for scientific research and industrial collaborations focused on plant development and innovation. Housed in one of North America's most extensive and sophisticated infrastructures, these facilities underscore the NRC’s mission to propel the agriculture sector forward through cutting-edge research and development opportunities.
Central to these offerings is the Phytotron, a centralized lab featuring 115 controlled environment chambers providing 4,500 square feet of lit growth chamber and tissue culture space. These chambers vary in size, accommodating diverse experimental needs from smaller 8 square feet chambers to expansive 72 square feet setups. The environmental controls in these chambers are highly advanced, capable of maintaining temperatures from -5°C to +40°C, controlling humidity, and enabling dew formation, alongside high light applications exceeding 1000 μE, crucial for detailed plant growth studies.
The facilities also boast a dedicated 1500 square feet of tissue culture space, essential for researchers focusing on cellular technology and protocol development. This area supports both large-scale walk-ins and smaller incubator-style setups, serving a variety of specialized research demands. Additionally, with 400 square feet of secure, temperature, and humidity-controlled seed storage, the NRC ensures medium- to long-term germ viability, crucial for maintaining genetic material necessary for future research and development.
In support of transgenic plant research, the NRC's greenhouse facilities span over 5,000 square feet and are fully automated, allowing for the execution of multiple-line experiments and seed increases, crucial for developing new plant varieties and agronomic breakthroughs. The HVAC crop greenhouse, a 1,000 square feet isolation facility, offers precise temperature controls while leveraging both supplemental and natural light, enabling precise experimental conditions for challenging research designs.
Additionally, the unique sunrooms provide a hybrid space combining natural sunlight with supplemental lighting to accommodate research needs during overcast or shortened daylight conditions in winter, thereby optimizing growing conditions throughout the year. These varying facility types and capabilities truly make NRC’s plant growth facilities a versatile platform for diverse research and development initiatives.
Beyond their physical infrastructure, these facilities are backed by a team of dedicated professionals who provide end-to-end support and expertise, ensuring successful project execution. Researchers benefit from complementary services such as hydroclave waste disposal, seed cleaning, automated track spraying, light quantification, and pest management, all coupled with cutting-edge production guidance.
The NRC’s Plant Growth Facilities are not just about space and equipment; they are about fostering innovation and advancing scientific knowledge. The combination of technological capabilities and expert assistance opens doors to leveraging other NRC analytical platforms, enriching research endeavors with hormone profiling, mass spectrometry, DNA services, and advanced bioinformatics analyses. This integrated approach helps collaborators achieve their research goals efficiently and effectively.
Located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the NRC’s facilities remain at the forefront of plant research, readily accessible for inquiries and collaborations through the diligent efforts of business development director April Luong, and technical support led by Ivor Smith. As part of a larger effort under the NRC's Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, these facilities exemplify the breadth of opportunities available to partners seeking to innovate within the plant sciences field.
In summary, the Plant Growth Facilities provide an invaluable ecosystem that supports every phase of plant research, from conception through to commercialization, underpinning Canada's reputation as a leader in agricultural research and delivering pioneering solutions that address global challenges such as food security, sustainable development, and environmental conservation.
