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), is pleased to announce a total funding of $18 million over the next five years, awarded to 16 Technology Access Centres. This funding is provided through the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program’s 2022 Technology Access Centre (TAC) grants.

Technology Access Centres are specialized centres of expertise that offer timely innovation support to organizations from the private, public, health care or not-for-profit sectors in a college’s community. TACs provide capabilities that serve these organizations’ applied research and innovation needs. These centres address innovation challenges by enabling the organizations in their communities to take advantage of the college’s expertise, technology and equipment, leading to beneficial business, social and health outcomes for Canada.

“For over a decade, Technology Access Centres have firmly established themselves as catalysts of innovation for organizations from a range of sectors, playing a pivotal role in shaping Canada's innovation culture. On behalf of the Tri-agency, I applaud the invaluable contributions of Technology Access Centres. These extend beyond the support of innovation projects with Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises and other organizations in their communities, to also nurturing cutting-edge expertise among students.”

The funding announced today will support the establishment of four new centres and build on the CCI program’s continued support of 12 well established centres. Among other fields of expertise, today’s recipient centres will provide services to partners and help fulfill local research and innovation needs in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, management of rainwater and dairy production.

Learn more about the 2022 Technology Access Centre grants recipients.

Additional information

• The CCI program has five distinct grant types to support colleges in having strong foundations for applied research, specialized centres in areas of identified need, and research projects driven by partner and societal needs: Applied Research and Development grants; Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants; College and Community Social Innovation Fund; Mobilize grants and Technology Access Centres.
• The CCI program recently launched the 2023 Technology Access Centre (TAC) grants competition. Letters of Intent (LOI) must be submitted via the Convergence Portal by September 6, 2023 at 8:00 pm (Eastern Time).