Using Matching Grants to Facilitate Corporate-University Research Linkages - A Preliminary Examination of Outcomes from One Initiative

Oct 15, 2026

The paper examines how government matching grants affect corporate-university research linkages, focusing on outcomes from one Ontario initiative. Using public finance theory, it compiles data on university research revenues from corporate contract research and questionnaires completed by participating companies. Findings indicate that, in the manner of the BILD program, matching grants may not be an effective mechanism. The study also outlines directions for further research and highlights conceptual and methodological hurdles in evaluating such programs.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

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Abstract

Résumé

Introduction

Corporate-university linkages and matching grants

Ontario’s BILD program and research matching grants

# Using Matching Grants to Facilitate Corporate-University Research Linkages:A Preliminary Examination of OutcomesFrom One Initiative STEPHEN BELL* Acknowledgements:I would like to thank my colleagues in the Higher EducationGroup,especially Michacl Skolnik,for their helpful advice and critical commen-tary on various drafts,and the comments and suggestions of the anonymousreviewers. ## ABSTRACT In the 1980's the issue of corporate-university linkages has received markedlyincreased attention from governments,corporations,and universities.Fromgovernments perspective,the drive to enhanced corporate-university linkuges isderivedfrom the belief that these linkages willcontribute to economic competitive-ness.One method that has been used by government to encourage this interactionis through the provision of matching grants.Using public finance theory as theconceptual basis,zthe paper examines the preliminary outcomes of one govern-ment's matching grant initiative.Through a compilation of data on universityresearch revenues on corporate contract research and a questionnaire tocompanies that placed the research contracts in universities,the paper shows thatmatching grants,in the manner provided by the BILD program,may not be anefjfective mechanism to promote corporate-university research linkages.Thepaper concludes with some suggestions for further research and discusses thecomceptual and methodological hurdles that can be encountered when attemptingtoaSsess the outcomes of a matching grant program,particularly as applied tocorporate-university linkages. ## RÉSUMÉ Au cours des années 80,les gouvernements,les corporations et les universités ontaccordé une attention accrueàl'action réciproque entre le milieu universitaire etcelui des affaires.Du point de vue gouvernemental,cette action réciproque allaitfavoriser la compétitivité économique.Une des méthodes utilisées par lesgouvernments est celle de la distribution de subventions aparts égales.A partir deconcepts théoriques empruntés au milieu financier,I'auteur évalue le programmede subventions pour la recherche développé par le gouvernement ontarienpendant la période de 1981à1983.Les deux sources d'information utilisées sont (1)des données sur les revenus universitaires approuvés pour la rechercheeffectuée defacon contractuelle entre le milieu universitaire et celui des affaires et (2)un questionnaire rempli par les compagnies qui ont participé àces contrats derecherche.Les résultats démontrent une efficacité mitigée de ce programme.Leprojet de recherche conclut en formulant quelques suggestions pour desrecherches ultérieures et présente une analyse des problemes conceptuels etméthodologiques susceptibles ď'être rencontrés lors de I'évaluation de pro-grammes daction réciproque,particulierement entre le milieu universitaire etcelui des affaires. ## 1.0 INTRODUCTION Issues involving the relationships between the university and the businesscorporation have received markedly increased attention in recent years fromgovernments,corporations and universities.In Canada,from the perspective ofthe federal and provincial governments,the enhancement of corporate-universitylinkages is viewed as a means to an end-namely,favourably positioning theeconomy to compete successfully internationally and increasing the supply of newjobs.From the university perspective,the increased attention is a result ofstagnation in the traditional sources of university revenues-the federal andprovincial governments-and the expectation that increased corporate supportwould not only augment resources,but also provide a means of restoring publicconfidence in universities,and therefore,ultimately,increase public funding.From the corporate perspective,much of the increased attention is aresult of recentdiscoveries of significant commercial importance in university laboratories. The recent renewal of interest on corporate-university linkages has led to aproliferation of literature on the topic.On the one ha

FAQs

What problem does the paper address regarding corporate-university linkages?

The paper addresses how government efforts aim to enhance relationships between universities and business corporations, particularly through matching grants, and asks what outcomes these initiatives produce.

How does the paper evaluate the matching grants initiative?

It uses public finance theory and combines compiled data on university research revenues from corporate contract research with a questionnaire to companies that placed research contracts in universities.

What does the paper conclude about the effectiveness of matching grants under the BILD program?

The paper concludes that matching grants, as implemented in the BILD program, may not be an effective mechanism for promoting corporate-university research linkages.

Oct 15, 2026

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