St-Hubert, Quebec – November 3, 2003 – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) announced the creation of a new program that will fund Canadian University space researchers and encourage them to build industry alliances.
The $350,000 CSA-IRIS Cooperation Program will provide academic researchers in Canada with one year funding to investigate new research opportunities in advanced intelligent systems technologies in space telerobotics and telemedicine.
“The Canadian Space Agency is proud to support the research and development of emerging space telerobotics and telemedicine technologies through this initiative with IRIS,” said CSA President Marc Garneau. “The projects chosen through this Program will have the potential to develop into larger targeted research efforts benefiting Canada’s space industry.”
“The CSA-IRIS Cooperation Program is open to all academic researchers in Canada who meet the general eligibility criteria. The Call for Studies has been issued with a deadline of December 1, 2003. Award recipients will be announced in March 2004. All studies will be completed by March 2005. For more information or to submit a project proposal, please visit http://www.precarn.ca
“This Program will promote and strengthen the space industry’s connection to the university research community – a win-win situation for both sides,” said Anthony T. Eyton, President of Precarn Incorporated and Director of IRIS. “It will also provide an opportunity for high-level Canadian university scientists and engineers to remain in Canada to perform world class Research & Development.”
The CSA-IRIS Cooperation Program is funded by the Canadian Space Agency and the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program and will be administered by IRIS. The CSA will contribute $200,000 to this initiative, with IRIS contributing the remaining $150,000 through Precarn Incorporated, the agent responsible for the management and delivery of the program.
About the Canadian Space Agency Established in 1989 with its Headquarters situated in St-Hubert, Quebec, the CSA is responsible for the overall national civilian space program. The CSA coordinates programs supporting Earth and the Environment, Space Science, Human Presence in Space, Satellite Communications, Space Technology, Space Qualification Services, Space Awareness and Education. The CSA is at the forefront of the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity.
About Precarn Incorporated and IRIS (Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems)
Precarn is a national, member-owned industrial consortium that funds, coordinates and promotes collaborative research conducted by industry, university and government researchers. With support from Industry Canada, other federal departments and provincial government agencies, Precarn plays a key role in Canada’s growing intelligent systems sector.
Through its management of the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) and its ties to both large and small companies through membership and relationship building, the Precarn network encompasses the best that Canada
has to offer.
Founded in 1990, the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) is a national network of centres of world-class research expertise, comprising over 90 researchers and over 100 students in 16 universities across Canada and 2 in the U.S. IRIS focuses on collaborative research that addresses challenges and opportunities of interest to Canadian industry. Outputs include intelligent machines, vision systems and software tools, and most importantly, a continuous stream of highly qualified graduates.