Our vision

By identifying and helping clients build new and more effective forms of collaboration among their key stakeholders in Canada's innovation system, ICI intends: to strengthen Canadian research and development performance; to improve public policy supporting the diffusion of innovative technologies throughout Canada; and to assist clients to expand the production of new products and services for world markets.

Core activities

1. Research

ICI will conduct research into three areas: the needs, gaps, and opportunities within the Canadian Innovation System; global best practices in collaboration networks to support the performance of innovative Canadian firms and organizations; and the risks and opportunities for Canada from new and emerging global technologies.

2. Education

ICI will seek opportunities to educate Canadian policymakers, businesses, and researchers on the best global practice of innovation systems and supporting policies, including new forms and models of stakeholder collaboration.

3. Advice on Collaborative Engagement

ICI will identify new channels for dialogue between the policy-making, academic, and business communities in Canada; create forums (real and virtual) to discuss specific areas of innovation risk or opportunity in Canada; organize and carry out conferences and seminars to provide additional opportunities for networking and engagement; and provide direct assistance to organizations in creating new innovation networks and collaboration frameworks.

Our projects

The Canada Innovates Project

Canada, and indeed the world, is facing the confluence of several wicked problems that put in question the nation's ability to deliver, advance and sustain the economic, security and social well-being of the nation and Canadians.

The objective of ICI's keystone project, the Canada Innovates Project (CIP) is to help chart the future for Canada's Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) eco-system to be a strategic national asset.

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Benefits of
Membership

Access to advice from other Members and their professional networks.
Access to a domestic and global data engine providing links to the latest articles, commentary and reports on: key public policy research; technology development and application; and public and private sector innovation performance.
Monthly meetings and access to the latest information and insights from the networks of all ICI Members.
Joint voluntary production of articles, commentary, and reports with any other ICI Member(s).
Voluntary Members review (peer review) of any other Members' proposed articles, commentary, or reports.
Periodic internal seminar-discussions of emerging public policy issues (recent examples have been ChatGPT and its application, Canadian trade opportunities, and planetary boundaries to growth.)
Production of external seminars, workshops, and courses to inform specific audiences.
Voluntary participation in paid contracts with select public clients (government or academic or NFP) or private sector clients.

ICI membership will be limited to 30 participants.

What is the purpose of ICI?

The purpose of ICI is to combine research, education, and advice to improve our collective understanding of best global practices in innovation systems, in order to assist Canadian organizations and business networks to produce more competitive goods and services for both domestic and global markets.

How is ICI different from other policy institutions/think tanks?

ICI is different from other policy institutions/think tanks because it will use a broader, holistic context to assess any public policy issue being examined, encompassing a structured framework of economic, social, environmental, geopolitical and technology risks, including the key linkages among these risks, and their likely direct and indirect impacts.

What services will it offer to external clients?

ICI will offer the following services to its external clients:

Research services
Education services
Advisory services

What expectations will I accept if I become a member?

If I become an ICI member, I will be expected to make best efforts (recognizing we all have other obligations) to:

Participate in monthly meetings to contribute information and insights to issues being discussed.
Participate, on a voluntary basis, with other members in the production of articles, commentary, and reports.
Participate, on a voluntary basis, in providing review (peer review) of any other Member's proposed articles, commentary, or reports.
Participate, on a voluntary basis, in contributing to external seminars, workshops, and courses to inform specific audiences.
Participate in periodic internal discussions of emerging public policy issies brought forward by other members.

Can I get paid for work on any contract I want to participate in?

Yes, you will be paid for your participation in any paid ICI contracts with select public, academic, or private sector clients.

About ICI