Through applied research and innovation transfer activities, the team at Niagara College provides real-world solutions for businesses, key industry sectors, and the community.
For over two decades, the award-winning Research and Innovation team at Niagara College (NC) has conducted diverse projects in collaboration with hundreds of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).
The research teams, including students and recent graduates, across our several research disciplines, include advanced manufacturing, business, commercialisation and media services, food and beverage, health, and horticultural and environmental sciences.
With funding support from various government agencies, students and graduates are hired to work alongside faculty researchers to assist industry partners in leaping forward in the marketplace.
The importance of applied research and innovation
Staying competitive in the ever-changing marketplace can be difficult, but when you tap into the expertise of NC’s Research and Innovation, it becomes a whole lot easier.
We provide access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies and share expert insights to help SMEs succeed. We de-risk the innovation process, through access to funding opportunities to make innovation more accessible, free up your resources and support you in the commercialisation process.
By hiring students and recent graduates to work with us, we also feed your future talent pipeline.
As a recognised global leader in applied research, we host two multi-institution networks, the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI) and the Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN), which enhance the members’ competitive edge in manufacturing and sustainable technologies.
Let’s work together
We have three potential ways you can engage with us. First, we can collaborate on an applied research project. Funding sources cover most project costs, including labour, materials, and administration, with a 1:1 match from an outside industry partner (combination of cash and in-kind contribution).
We take on the administrative legwork, so the industry partner doesn’t have to apply for or secure their own funding. Industry partners must meet funding criteria to qualify (often 2+2 model in years in business plus number of employees).
The next option is to conduct a technical service, known as ‘fee-for-service’, which works well when your project doesn’t fit the typical funded research project model. This is a great option for a quick turnaround service using our technical expertise and specialised equipment.
A quote is provided before the work begins, followed by an invoice at the service’s completion.
Finally, a course-based project is part of a strategy implemented through coursework. During the term, under faculty supervision and as part of their learning objectives, students work with an industry partner to solve a real-world challenge.
Course-based projects are an accessible, low-barrier way for industry partners to innovate, as they typically have little to no costs.
Our achievements
- For nine years in a row, NC has ranked as one of the top 10 colleges in the country for research funding, including first in 2023 and 2019, according to Research InfoSource.
- Since July 2011, we’ve received over $180m in government, industry and institutional contributions to fund three buildings, 2,500 projects and services with industry, resulting in more than 15,700 student research experiences and engaging more than 550 faculty/researchers.
- We received the 2024 Silver Award of Excellence for Applied Research and Innovation from the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) – in 2018, we received the gold award in this category.
