News

Camosun College Receives Funding for Applied Research and Tech Innovation

Camosun College has received two substantial grants to support applied research and business innovation from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) College and Community Innovation Program, which expands the capacity of Canadian colleges to work with local businesses to develop new and innovative technologies.

The two grants include the College Applied Research Tools and Instrument (ARTI) Grant of $143,757 for acquiring technical equipment to support Camosun’s composite research and education lab; and the Technology Access Centre (TAC) Grant of $350,000 annually for five years ($1.75 million total) to continue the development of the college’s innovative applied research facility.

“This funding is a validation that the approach we’ve used over the past five years is working,” says Dr. Tim Walzak, Director, Applied Research and Innovation at Camosun College. “The next goal is curriculum integration, so we can see this work have an impact on students in the classroom. We’ll use these funds for a wide range of purposes, from paying staff to purchasing new equipment, while helping to ensure our students develop real world problem-solving skills.”

The grants are part of a $37 million investment in 37 applied research projects by the Government of Canada to bolster innovation and commercialization across Canada.

“Our government supports investments that are helping to build an innovative economy, and will create quality jobs to support a vibrant middle class,” says federal Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan. “Fostering strong partnerships between Canada’s colleges and industry partners leads to new, innovative ideas and transforms the results of R&D into new products that will benefit all Canadians.”

Minister Duncan made the announcement at the Colleges and Institutes Canada Annual Conference, where hundreds of representatives from colleges and institutes from across Canada are gathering to celebrate the contributions of colleges and institutes in transforming communities and building a more prosperous and equitable Canada.

Camosun College is home to the largest college-based applied research centre west of Winnipeg, attracting students and faculty who are looking for more than theory when learning or teaching about manufacturing, engineering and computer technologies. Camosun establishes a real hands-on connection between education and industrial application - leading to impressive economic opportunities for local industry and business ventures.

Original content from: Camosun College

Learn more about Camosun College