Today the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced a significant investment of $29.82 million through the College and Community Innovation(CCI) program, strengthening the role of colleges, CEGEPs and polytechnics in driving cutting-edge advancements and promoting meaningful partnerships that create lasting impact.

Managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada’s three federal research funding agencies, the CCI program fosters collaboration between colleges and industry, public, and community organizations to drive economic, social, health, and environmental advancements.

The 51 awards announced today are being funded through two key CCI grant types:

• $6.32 million for 34 awards through the Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants (ARTI) providing funding for Canadian colleges to acquire essential research equipment, strengthen partnerships with industry, public, and health organizations while offering hands-on training opportunities for students.
• $23.5 million over five years for 17 awards through the Technology Access Centre grants (TACs) expanding colleges' capacity to deliver top tier applied research and innovation services to local organizations while fostering expertise in specialized research areas.

“Today's funding will advance genomics-driven agricultural innovation, accelerate health sector innovation and accessibility, and strengthen critical minerals research for sustainable mining, among many other areas. By supporting research that fuels technological progress and economic growth, this investment ensures impactful collaboration between partners, benefiting industries, communities, and Canadians alike.”

Prof. Alejandro Adem, FRSC
President, NSERC

Quick facts

Canada’s colleges are at the forefront of innovation through applied research, supported by the College and Community Innovation program (CCI), the key federal funding source for these initiatives. Through strong partnerships across industries and sectors, CCI funding enables collaboration that drives tangible economic, social, health, and environmental advancements.
 
The CCI program has five distinct grant types to support colleges, CEGEPs and polytechnics across Canada in strengthening applied research capacity, establishing specialized centres, and advancing projects aligned with partner and societal needs: Applied Research and Development grants; Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants; College and Community Social Innovation Fund grants; Mobilize grants, and Technology Access Centre grants.

Associated links

• List of Applied Research Tools and Instruments grants funding decisions
• List of Technology Access Centre grants funding decisions
• College and Community Innovation program