Collaborations between college researchers and businesses help our national and local economies thrive and prepare young Canadians for the jobs of the future.

“This investment will enable Collège Ahuntsic to attract more students looking to get hands-on experience and training. This will help local business grow and thrive, benefiting the whole community. This supports the growth of Montréal as an innovation hub.”
– The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“Our government is committed to returning science and research to their rightful place. We’re investing in students and small to medium-sized businesses so they can work together on a diverse range of research projects to boost economic development and create jobs across the country. With these projects, colleges, cégeps and polytechnics will be making a real difference in the lives of Canadians in their communities.”
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport 

“NSERC values the tremendous contributions of Canada’s colleges in the research and innovation ecosystem. Today’s investment will enhance our country’s world-class research capacity, help businesses innovate to create growth, and train our next generation of researchers and entrepreneurs.”
– Dr. Marc Fortin, Vice-President, Research Partnerships, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

“We are very proud to welcome the announcement of NSERC funding. Collège Ahuntsic is an institute of higher education that values research and innovation, and its technology transfer centre, the Printability and Graphic Communications Institute, is a major player in scientific research at the College. Its team actively collaborates with businesses that want to adopt the latest technologies in the printing field.”
– Nathalie Vallée, CEO, Collège Ahuntsic

“This funding will enable ICI to better support Canadian businesses in the packaging sector and expand along with the GreEN network—composed of 13 Canadian universities—to create smart, environmentally friendly packaging. Development will focus mainly on energy, telecommunications and sensors.”
– André Dion, Director, Printability and Graphic Communications Institute

• The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is led by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Funding support for infrastructure is provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. 

• The CCI Program is one of the largest vehicles for funding applied research at colleges, polytechnics and cégeps across Canada. Since its launch in 2008, the CCI Program has invested more than $553 million in 3,158 projects at post-secondary institutions across Canada.

• The Government of Canada recently launched Dimensions: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Canada. This new pilot program, which is inspired by the United Kingdom’s internationally recognized Athena SWAN Charter, will address systemic barriers in research, particularly those experienced by members of under-represented or disadvantaged groups.

Associated links

• Government of Canada announces historic investments in research collaborations between colleges and entrepreneurs
• Complete list of funding recipients—College and Community Innovation Program

Daniele Medlej
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Science and Sport
343-291-4204
daniele.medlej@canada.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
343-291-1777
ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca

Hélène Pageau
Director of Communications, Marketing and Events
Printability and Graphic Communications Institute
514-389-5061, ext. 238
helene.pageau@i-ci.ca

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