The team at Niagara College provides real-world solutions for businesses, key industry sectors, and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities.
For more than 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), thanks to the researcher teams, including students and recent graduates, across our several research disciplines, including 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 leap forward in the marketplace.
The importance of applied research and innovation
Staying competitive in the ever-changing marketplace can be difficult, but when a business taps into the expertise of NC’s Research and Innovation, it becomes much easier. As the No. 1 Research College in Canada, 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, freeing up resources and supporting businesses in the commercialisation process. By hiring students and recent graduates to work with us, we also feed a company’s future talent pipeline.
As a recognised global leader in applied research, we also 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.
Our team and expertise
The Research and Innovation team is a dynamic group of innovative thinkers dedicated to providing solutions for industry. Our collective strength lies in our diverse expertise and collaborative spirit and comprises specialists from various fields, including administration, finance and operations, project management, business development, proposal development, marketing and communications, advanced manufacturing, food and beverage, health, horticultural and environmental sciences, and commercialisation.
Each team member brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience, allowing us to approach challenges from multiple angles and develop innovative solutions that are both practical and visionary. In alignment with our institution’s strategic plan, we are committed to fostering a culture that is welcoming, passionate, trailblazing, and student-focused. Together, we strive to make a meaningful impact, delivering solutions for businesses that not only address current needs but also anticipate future challenges and opportunities.
To learn more about our team watch the latest video on our YouTube channel.
Our innovation centres
NC conducts applied research, technical services and business and commercialisation solutions with industry partners through its Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre, Food and Beverage Innovation Centre, Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, and Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. Each addresses a key economic sector through unique resources and capabilities, as outlined below.
Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre
When a business is not sure how to grow in the marketplace, the Business and Commercialization Innovation Centre (BCIC) steps in, using market research to develop the strategy needed to set up a business for success. Our team of experienced experts include marketing professionals and student and graduate researchers, who help navigate the process of building a strong brand.
Our strategy services include:
• Market research/business strategy
- Marketing growth strategies
- Primary research
- Promotional plans
- Brand development
BCIC also works with small businesses who need that extra support in media execution to take their business to the next level. Our support is designed to get you to a position where working with an agency is feasible.
Our media services include:
- Short- and long-form videos for marketing strategy
- Photography expertise for products/business/staff
- Social media packages and advertising development
Example: Well-known Niagara business taps into BCIC’s resources for marketing expertise
Food and Beverage Innovation Centre
The Food and Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC) offers a full suite of services to support industry innovation and commercialisation of new products and processes. From beverage analysis testing to new recipe and concept development to shelf-life testing, prototyping, and small batch processing, the FBIC pairs industry partners with highly qualified staff, faculty, recent graduates and students with the right expertise and equipment to meet their needs. Businesses can access FBIC’s world-class culinary, beverage, cannabis edibles and food science expertise, facilities, and equipment to develop and improve food and beverage products.
Our newest example of such a facility is our HACCP-certified, small batch processing pilot plant, where you can develop, reformulate, and scale up new beverage products (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for re-sale or test markets.
Example: A one-of-a-kind partnership with FBIC results in a one-of-a-kind gluten-free, organic quinoa beer
Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre
The Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) focuses on the validation and development of innovations through collaborative research and development with industry partners. We specialise in performing growth trials with horticultural crops that evaluate innovations, technologies and improvements, contributing to their development and moving them towards commercialisation. Our expertise includes assessing technologies, innovations, production practices, soils, media amendments, pest and disease control approaches and more.
Opening in 2025 is the new HESIC research greenhouse and plant growth facility, which will plant the seeds for more innovation to benefit students and industry. This cutting-edge facility includes five growing bays, two laboratories, and a vertical grow room, providing a comprehensive environment for innovative research in greenhouse cultivation and beyond.
Example: Thanks to the expertise of the Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, SoilOptix® is now in a position of obtaining global reach with their technology.
Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre
At the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC), one can access leading-edge technology, including equipment and software, as well as expert staff to support their innovation goals. We specialise in precision metrology, prototype design and development, process improvement and digital manufacturing (industry 4.0). From day-to-day support in the quality department to long-range new product plans, WAMIC is a key competitive advantage in the diverse world of advanced manufacturing.
Example: When Hamill Machine needed to transition from a manual to an automatic robotic welding process to keep pace with increasing market demand for its wine barrel racks, they turned to the experts.
Our achievements
For nine years in a row, NC has ranked as a top ten college in Canada for research funding, including No. 1 in 2023 and 2019, according to Research InfoSource. Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice President – Research, Innovation & Strategic Enterprises, said: “To say we are pleased about reaching the No. 1 spot in Canada and Ontario is an understatement. I am so proud of all our staff, faculty, researchers, and students who helped make this happen and work, day in and day out, to provide innovative solutions for industry partners.”
Nantel added: “This announcement also gives businesses the confidence that, when working with Niagara College, they are partnering with the top research college across the country.”
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.
Most recently, 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.
Ways of engaging with research and innovation
We have three potential means of engagement for the industry. 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 the project doesn’t fit the typical funded research project model. This is a great option for a quick turn-around service performed 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 academic 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 intake is ongoing, and as noted above, we have experience participating in and leading networks with multiple institutional partners. We are always open to discussions to broaden our global reach. To learn more about our resources, capabilities and recent successes, visit our website.
Please note, this article will also appear in the 20th edition of our quarterly publication.
