Ottawa-based Precarn Inc. boosts investment by $2.1 million to support research and development in the environmental and manufacturing sectors. The not-for-profit company says it is asking Canadian businesses to submit proposals for funding to help develop or implement intelligent systems technologies related to cleantech or manufacturing, particularly automotive parts. “This program addresses two key sectors applying Precarn’s collaborative R&D model, which has proven that strong linkages among private, public and academic organizations are critical to successfully stimulate the growth and competitiveness of an industry segment, foster the use of intelligent systems to transform and build a sustainable industry innovation model, and ultimately keep jobs in Canada,” says Precarn CEO Paul Johnston. Precarn is offering up to $700,000 for each project, and will be accepting proposals up until the May 9 deadline.