NRC — Plant growth research facilities

Who is eligible?

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

Who is not eligible

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

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.

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

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.

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.