Minister responsible for Innovation Rob Norris today signed a multi-year agreement for Innovation Saskatchewan to provide funding for the new $30 million Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation (CCNI), a world-class research centre housed at the University of Saskatchewan to support nuclear research, development and innovation.

"The Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation is a key cornerstone of Saskatchewan's innovation and nuclear agendas," Norris said. "It will play a vital role in advancing our vision for a safe, responsible, value-added nuclear agenda that focuses on nuclear medicine, material science, safety and small reactor technology."

"Building on the university's renowned history in nuclear medicine and accelerator technology, the CCNI will help Saskatchewan build and maintain a community of expertise to engage the broader community in evidence-based conversations about nuclear issues and inform policies on nuclear technologies for the benefit of society and the economy," CCNI Vice-Chair and U of S Vice-President Research Karen Chad said.

"The CCNI's board of directors is a strong team of experienced academics, executives and managers who bring perspectives from universities, colleges, industry, and government agencies, including the University of Saskatchewan, Cameco and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, as examples," CCNI Interim Director and Director of the National Research Council's Canadian Beam Centre John Root said.

The CCNI expects to issue a call for proposals later this spring. Local researchers can partner with outside industry, academics, and governments to submit project proposals, which will then be peer-reviewed and evaluated by an arms-length expert advisory committee of external reviewers against established criteria on alignment, feasibility, quality of partnerships, and the plan for achieving positive impacts in medicine, materials, energy, environmental or social domains.

The CCNI was approved in December by the U of S board of governors as a Type C centre of the University of Saskatchewan. Type C centres are incorporated and legally distinct from the university, but report on their academic and research activities to a vice-president or dean, reflecting the university's academic interest in the centre's activities.

Created in 2009, Innovation Saskatchewan is the central agency of the Government of Saskatchewan with responsibility for co-ordinating Saskatchewan's innovation priorities. Innovation Saskatchewan co-ordinates the strategic direction of the government's research and development and science and technology expenditures; provides advice on science and technology policy; co-ordinates the establishment and maintenance of science, research and development infrastructure; and provides advice and recommendations on research, development, demonstration, and the commercialization of new technologies and innovative processes in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Rita Flaman Jarrett
Innovation
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-5716
Email: rita.flamanjarrett@innovationsask.ca
Cell: 306-270-7654

John Root
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-966-4784
Email: john.root@usask.ca