Due to the timing of the evaluation, the review of program performance data necessarily focused on the first year annual reports which largely reported on information related to the set-up and implementation of the networks. [...] In addition, as a result of the distribution of the population of researchers and partners participating in the program, more than half the BL-NCE partners responding to the survey were from one network whereas more than half the BL-NCE researchers responding were from another network. [...] It is important to note that the response rates to the partner and researcher surveys by network were largely proportional to the distribution of the population of partners and researchers participating in the program by network. [...] The common feature across networks, and the niche of the program, is that the research itself is intended to address industry-specific or business-specific needs by involving the private sector more closely in the design and conduct of the research, thereby better ensuring the take-up and use of the results. [...] The findings also support the involvement of the federal government in funding of the program model as such funding enhances the scope and nature of the funded networks.