The CNSP-RCPS is a pan-Canadian network of professional/staff working in any aspect of research scientific platforms (i.e. technology resources, core facilities) at the technical, managerial or administrative level. The aim of the network is to represent diverse technologies and institution types from regions all across the country.
Scientific platforms (SP) are centralized and shared laboratories that offer specialized instrumentation and services that are required by multiple investigators. SPs provide access to equipment with a fee-for-service component in the business model. The business model may consist of cost recovery of a diverse nature including any or all of the following: direct institutional support; external grant funding; donations ; hourly user fee charged to operating grants; and annual SP membership fee charged to operating grants.
SPs provide individual researchers with open access to specialized instrumentation, technology, service and expertise including in-depth education and training initiatives that are generally too expensive, complex or specialized for investigators to reasonably provide and sustain in individual laboratories through operating grant funding and laboratory personnel. SPs are discrete units within the Institution and are directed by dedicated expert research personnel or faculty, have dedicated equipment and dedicated space. They are usually supported by the Institution to meet the collective needs of its research community.
A number of SPs may share a centralized administrative and management structure. Such structures are integral part of SPs and are thus welcome to join the CNSP. The definition was conceived by the Canadian Cytometry and Microscopy Association (CCMA) and is based on documentation from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a number of core facility institution guidelines.