Program Communication and Dissemination

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Objective(s)

The objective of this Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) project is to support effective internal communication within the Canadian Biomass Innovation Network (CBIN) Research and Development (R&D) community (Executive Committee (ExCo), theme leaders, and project leaders) and to increase awareness and build partnerships with potential receptors and external stakeholders, outside of the immediate CBIN community. Some focus will be on the dissemination of research results from other projects funded by CBIN.

Description

This project consists of carrying out several internal and external activities for the CBIN community.

Internal project activities include preparing action and strategic plans as well as annual reports for both the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD) and the Technology and Innovation Research and Development (T&I R&D) Initiative, organizing CBIN program review meetings, and maintaining CBIN's public and private (Community Zero or CZ) websites. Employees were also hired to assist with program administration and communication particularly, with respect to project documentation (document filing, meeting minutes, responding to telephone and e-mail requests, etc.).

External project activities include maintaining the CBIN communication portal (adding content such as events and announcements and creating memberships); presenting the CBIN program to provincial governments; identifying partners for dissemination of R&D results and new project ideas; organizing meetings targeting the engagement of receptors (industry, downstream programs, policy-makers, etc.); attending relevant conferences (World Congress, BioNorth, etc.); and supporting Canada's hosting of the 2006 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing. As of the summer of 2006, 2000 bilingual brochures providing an overview of CBIN's R&D activities were printed and distributed. Also, a booth display was constructed and set up at several events.

World Congress 2006, Toronto

Provincial meetings provided opportunities to exchange information with colleagues, industry, and academia in Quebec and the Maritime Provinces. Progress was made in identifying new partners and receptors for dissemination of R&D results through partnership requirement for T&I projects, CZ, meetings, workshops, and other events. Notably, the November 2005 workshop entitled "Biomass Innovation: Moving Forward in Canada" held in Ottawa and organized by CBIN, included presentations on more than 10 federal programs across the innovation curve that support the development of bioenergy and industrial biotechnology. Many other meetings, workshops, and conferences were organized and attended by CBIN ExCo members and project leaders. In support of Canada's hosting of the 2006 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, CBIN represented NRCan within the interdepartmental communications working group whose task was to develop the Government of Canada's message, communication material, and exposure for this international conference. A CBIN poster to showcase Canada's applied R&D as it relates to biomass was also presented at the congress' poster session. Another initiative of this project includes creating project binders for the PERD Bio-Based Energy Systems and Technologies (BEST) Program and the (T&I R&D) Initiative's Biotechnology Program.

CBIN Poster Prepared for the 2006 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and
Bioprocessing

Significant Outcomes

CBIN ensures that communication, dissemination, and reporting requirements are met through internal activities. CBIN has successfully established its external presence through a display booth at conferences, brochures, travel to the provinces, and meetings with representatives of other federal programs. CBIN is starting to assume a lead coordinating role amongst many federal programs related to the development of a Canadian bioeconomy. CBIN has made connections with key federal bio programs, industry associations, and R&D networks. CZ is serving as an affordable way for CBIN to assist bio stakeholders in sharing information. Significant feedback has been received on the value of CZ for keeping the CBIN community updated and for external information exchange. The events calendar and documents storage features of CZ in particular serve the community well. Progress has been made externally in raising awareness of the federal government's interest in the development of a Canadian bioeconomy.