Conestoga will expand training opportunities for science innovation with a share of $22.9 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Lab to Market program to expand the award-winning Invention to Innovation (i2I) suite of programs over the next five years.
Conestoga will expand training opportunities for science innovation with funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Lab to Market program to expand the award-winning Invention to Innovation (i2I) network.
The network led by Simon Fraser University is supported by Conestoga College among 13 partner institutions and 57 collaborating organizations. With this funding, the program will expand opportunities such as a full-time commercialization post-doctoral program and a Faculty Innovation Fellows program and focus on overcoming barriers in STEM and health-care research commercialization.
“Expanding and strengthening the National i2I Network is a significant benefit for Canada’s highly skilled STEM graduates and for the economy. We are thrilled to receive support to build a more robust Canadian science innovation ecosystem. We are grateful for our academic and industry partners as well as instructors, mentors, students and alumni, who have championed i2I innovation skills training over the years," said Elicia Maine, Simon Fraser University Associate Vice-President, Knowledge Mobilization & Innovation.
The i2I programs provide innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship training for students, researchers and faculty in STEM and health-care fields. Conestoga’s participation will expand these offerings to include college student entrepreneurs and the unique programming provided by the Conestoga Entrepreneurship Collective.
“Conestoga is proud to join the i2I network to provide training and support that empowers science innovators to transform their discoveries into successful commercial ventures. This initiative will help advance Canada’s top research talent, driving progress in the country’s innovation ecosystem and strengthening our economy," said Dr. Michelle Chrétien, Conestoga Vice President, Research & Innovation.
"Recognized as one of Canada’s top research colleges, Conestoga is committed to unlocking the potential of science innovation. This funding expands opportunities for college founders, researchers and faculty to engage in innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship training, fueling the next wave of transformative ideas.”
The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced the grant on January 15 on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, at Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
This program helps solve global challenges while unlocking the underutilized potential of Canada's top research talent. The National i2I Network’s goal is to transform the mindset, skills and culture of Canadian STEM and health-care researchers through tailored programs that bridge the critical gap between invention and innovation. By equipping researchers with the skills and tools they need to mobilize their discoveries, they can strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem while becoming translational scientists, industry innovation champions, or the founders of new science-based ventures.
Learn more about the National i2I Network at www.inventiontoinnovation.ca.
Visit Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship for more information about Conestoga’s researchers, facilities and research centres.