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Research & Development Corporation Announces R&D Infrastructure Call for Proposals

The Research & Development Corporation (RDC), the Crown corporation for improving research and development in Newfoundland and Labrador today announced a competitive call for proposals for potential R&D infrastructure projects.

The initial Expression of Intent (EOI) is open to Memorial University of Newfoundland and College of the North Atlantic, including their institutes and incorporated entities, and other not-for-profit research facilities located in, or planning to locate to Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The RDC recognizes that investing in infrastructure is critical to strengthening Newfoundland and Labrador's R&D capacity, building a world-class working environment for researchers and fostering industrial outreach and collaboration," said Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of the Research & Development Corporation. "Our goal is to invest in R&D infrastructure that will focus on identified industry needs and development opportunities with the potential to significantly impact our economy."

The RDC has committed up to $10 million to this infrastructure call. There is an initial allocation of $2 million for research tools and equipment and $8 million for R&D platforms. Proposals eligible for funding must require RDC funding in excess of $500,000. This funding is incremental to what is eligible through the RDC's Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF).

"Ongoing consultations with R&D stakeholders have identified significant infrastructure needs. This request for Expressions of Intent is the first step in identifying priority areas for investment," said Janes. "Once we review the EOI submissions in terms of relevance to industry and our economy, the economic impact of the investment and other considerations outlined in the EOI, we will then invite a limited number of full proposals for detailed evaluation on a competitive basis."

Proposals that are screened in through the EOI process will be invited to submit a full proposal by June 25, 2010 with applicants notified of the RDC's funding decision in September 2010.

All Expressions of Interest must be received by 4:00 p.m. (Newfoundland Daylight Saving Time) on April 16, 2010. Copies of the Request for Expressions of Intent and other related documents can be found at //www.researchnl.com/infrastructure/

About the Research & Development Corporation
The Research & Development Corporation is a provincial Crown corporation that was established to improve Newfoundland and Labrador's R&D performance. The RDC works with R&D stakeholders including industry, academia and government agencies and departments. For more information about the RDC, go to www.researchnl.com.

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Media contact:
Libby Carew
Director, Marketing
Research & Development Corporation
709-758-0973, 728-6852
libbycarew@researchnl.com