Provincial research organization

Provincial research organizations (PROs) are Canadian provincial government initiatives to promote research and development and adoption of technology in their respective provinces.^{[better source needed][1]} The first PRO in Canada was the Alberta Research Council. Statistics Canada reports on the activities of PROs.^[2]

PROs focus on applied research and technical services and generally specialize in industry sectors that are native to their provinces. Because they play an important role in growing and sustaining industry, they are considered a key component of provincial economic development strategies. PROs are also consulted by the government for innovation and economic development policy input. PROs are sustained through the combination of provincial grants and fees for services.

PROs have been established in Canada as follows:

• Alberta Research Council (1921)
• Ontario Research Foundation (1928)^{[better source needed][3]}
• British Columbia Research Council^{[better source needed][4]} (1944) and now the BC Innovation Council
• Nova Scotia Research Foundation (1946)^{[better source needed][5]}
• Saskatchewan Research Council (1947)^{[better source needed][6]}
• New Brunswick Research and Productivity Council (1962)^{[better source needed][7]}
• Manitoba Research Council (1963)^{[better source needed][8]}
• Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Québec (1969)^{[better source needed][9]}

In 2009, Newfoundland and Labrador formed the Newfoundland and Labrador Research and Development Council.