NSERC invited proposals for a new Centre of Excellence for the theme Trade, Competitiveness and Sustainability during 1994. The Consultant was a member of a five person panel constituted to review proposals submitted in response to this initiative. The Panel received written reports and presentations by the proponents and judged the proposals with respect to a series of criteria established by NSERC. The Consultant had prime responsibility for assessing the strength of the network and partnerships to be established by each of the proposals.