The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) has a very successful partnership platform to encourage Canadian businesses to work with local universities and colleges in order to solve a technological business problem. This platform is called Engage and provides both parties with valuable benefits. The business receives the school’s extensive resources and expertise, while the school receives a relevant technological task to gain experience in a real life setting, as well as in-kind contributions from the business.
Applicable Projects
The project must focus on a company specific problem, allowing the school access to any relevant data that will help them solve it. Also, the project should be no more than 6 months in length. NSERC Engage will contribute a maximum of $25,000 to the project, however companies are expected to back up this venture with some form of in-kind contribution that will help with the completion of the project, such as software, use of company facilities, or access to databases. The applying company must be incorporated for at least 1 year.
First Step
The NSERC Engage Grants Program is a great way for companies to tap into the knowledge and resources of post-secondary institutions, as well as build relationships between them and their students. To see assess the applicability of your project or find out what schools around you participate in this program, please contact Mentor Works with the subject line: NSERC Engage.