In Canada, the government through the Networks of Centres of Excellence Secretariat has played a key role in facilitating the creation of national research partnerships between firms and research institutions through the business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence program.

In Canada, the business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program supports four new collaborative networks consisting of consortia of Canadian firms and academic and government researchers. The four networks represent the health, environmental, and energy and natural resources priorities of the federal government's S&T Strategy.

The BL-NCEs differ from existing NCEs in that they will be for a shorter term, business-led and focused on business research needs identified by the private sector, potentially leading to new business solutions. The Canadian government plays a key role in facilitating the networks and providing third-party assistance to the private sector parties.

It seems that neutral leadership, high quality secretariat services and facilitation of partnership activities are key factors for successful partnership models.