Funding will help strengthen local economies, train the next generation
BARRIE, ON, June 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Collaborations between college researchers and businesses help our local and national economies thrive and get young Canadians prepared for the jobs of the future. Canada's colleges are at the heart of our communities across the country and fuel research that helps businesses innovate and grow.
Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced funding of over $73 million through the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program and the College-Industry Innovation Fund (CIIF). This investment will help 90 recipients at colleges, cégeps and polytechnics across the country partner directly with local employers to facilitate commercialization and transform the results of research and development into new technologies to help businesses expand and grow. It also provides specialized equipment to help companies develop local solutions to pressing issues in their regions.
The announcement took place at Georgian College, which will receive $2 million over five years to improve local manufacturers' competitiveness using smart manufacturing techniques based on Industry 4.0 technologies, information strategies, and data analytics. Students will work on over 100 projects with small- and medium-sized businesses in the region to help companies take advantage of the benefits of modern technologies, such as virtual reality, 3D printing, and automation and robotics.
This investment is part of Canada's Science Vision and the Government of Canada's commitment of more than $10 billion to science and research, which includes an historic increase in funding for fundamental research and the largest boost to college research funding.
Quotes
"Our government is committed to returning science and research to their rightful place. We're investing in students and small- to medium-sized businesses so they can work together on a diverse range of research projects to boost economic development and create jobs across the country. With these projects, colleges, cégeps and polytechnics will be making a real difference in the lives of Canadians in their own communities."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
"NSERC values the tremendous contributions of Canada's colleges in the research and innovation ecosystem. Today's investment will enhance our country's world-class research capacity, help businesses innovate to create growth, and train our next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs."
– Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
"The power of research is exemplified when it is applied to tackle real-world problems. Whether addressing the development of novel agri-food products or expanding the frontiers of aerospace and manufacturing technologies, researchers at colleges and polytechniques are well equipped to partner with industry to help boost Canadian innovation."
– Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
"This federal government funding will support enhanced research partnerships involving Georgian and leading area employers and manufacturers that will strengthen and stimulate economic development in our region. Our research activity will engage more than 50 industry partners providing relevant experiential learning opportunities for more than 450 students in applied research activities preparing them to fully contribute and thrive in the workplace when they graduate."
– MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and CEO, Georgian College
Quick facts
- CCI is led by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Funding support for infrastructure is also provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
- The CCI program is one of the largest vehicles for funding applied research at colleges, polytechnics and CÉGEPs across Canada. Since its launch in 2008, the CCI program has invested more than $553 million in 3,158 projects at post-secondary institutions across Canada.
- The CIIF program, led by CFI, is designed to support substantial research infrastructure projects that will enhance the existing applied research and technology development capacity of colleges, and allow them to respond to important sector industry needs.
- The Government of Canada recently launched Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada. This new pilot program, which is inspired by the United Kingdom's internationally-recognized Athena SWAN program, will address systemic barriers in research, particularly those experienced by members of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups.
Associated Links
- Complete list of the College and Community Innovation recipients
- Complete list of the College-Industry Innovation Fund recipients
SOURCE NSERC
Daniele Medlej, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Science and Sport, 343-291-4204, [email protected]; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]; Valérie Levert-Gagnon, Media and Public Affairs Officer, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, 613-996-2341, [email protected]
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