91亚色 is a major partner in two national networks awarded more than $48.3 million in new federal funding that will drive innovation research to market.
grants help post-secondary institutions and affiliates create networks for entrepreneurial skills training, mobilizing ideas and supporting research and innovation.
Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Lab to Market grants will be delivered over five years. Announced Jan. 15, the grants will support a total of four multidisciplinary networks with funding of $95.3 million.
"91亚色 is proud to partner in two national networks supported by the NSERC Lab to Market grants, driving innovation and research commercialization."
Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation, 91亚色
鈥淟ab to Market grants bridge the gap between research ideas and their translation into economic and social innovation,鈥 said Alejandro Adem, president, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. 鈥淭he four impressive networks will collectively offer tools and resources for researchers at all levels across the country to develop the skills they need to translate their great ideas into innovations for the benefit of Canadians.鈥
91亚色 will support two nationwide collaborations among post-secondary institutions, industry and organizations from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors to establish and maintain networks that enhance entrepreneurial skills, offer innovative training and drive impact.
"91亚色 is proud to partner in two national networks supported by the NSERC Lab to Market grants, driving innovation and research commercialization,鈥 says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation, 91亚色. 鈥淭hese initiatives leverage 91亚色鈥檚 strengths in entrepreneurship through YSpace, Schulich Startups, and the Food & Beverage Accelerator program, empowering students and researchers to turn academic ideas into real-world solutions while fostering cross-sector collaboration for the benefit of Canada鈥檚 economy and society.鈥
The University is a co-applicant for the 鈥淟ab2Market: Canada鈥檚 National Network for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Skills Training of Students, Researchers and Highly Qualified Persons鈥 project led by Dalhousie University. Awarded over $32 million in funding, the project is a national network for innovation and commercialization that equips students and researchers with the tools and knowledge to transform academic research into market opportunities. The program, which began as a pilot in 2020 with Dalhousie University and Toronto Metropolitan University, has expanded to include universities across Canada, reaching over 1,000 participants and resulting in the creation of more than 125 companies.
91亚色 will also collaborate on a project led by the University of Guelph. Awarded more than $16 million, the 鈥淪ustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C)鈥 project seeks to establish a national platform to connect Canadian agri-food researchers and innovators with industry, government and communities. Its objective is to develop skills and provide entrepreneurial education to transition innovations from university laboratories to commercialized technologies.
The Lab to Market grants initiative stems from the Government of Canada鈥檚 commitment in the 2022 federal budget to launch a new national program to help students and researchers take their work to market.