The Harper government wants the National Research Council to focus more on practical, commercial science and less on fundamental science that may not have obvious business applications.

Gary Goodyear, minister of state for science and technology, said at a news conference Tuesday that the council will concentrate on industrial research, new growth and business development.

Council President John McDougall says his agency will work with businesses to develop technology that will benefit the country, while leaving basic research to academic scientists.

In the process, he says, the council will be more streamlined, efficient and functional.

Goodyear says innovation is the key to the future and the council has a key role to play.

He says the new focus will overturn an introverted culture in the research council, which has led it away from supporting industry.