The NCE is a key partner of the CPDC, providing funding through its Centre’s of Excellence for Commercialization and Research Program. The NCE was created in 1989 as a joint initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Industry Canada and Health Canada. The NCE harnesses the best talent in the natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and health sciences, to build a more advanced, healthy, competitive and prosperous Canada. The centres and networks created through the NCE have steadily helped to form the right environment for industry and government to invest in Canadian innovations. In an average year, the Networks of Centres of Excellence leverages additional cash and in-kind contributions of almost $71 million from partners, creates eight spin-off companies, files over 100 patents and obtains close to 50 licenses. Since the inception of the NCE, over 100 companies have spun off from NCE-supported research.