The Government of Canada has awarded Cambrian College $2.1 million in research grants to address issues within the mining industry. The investment will allow the college’s applied research division, Cambrian Innovates, to partner with three businesses for a five-year initiative. The partners are leveraging funding to identify and solve current productivity and remediation challenges faced during mining practices.
The contribution will be provided through the NSERC National Research Council of Canada (NSERC) College and Community Innovation (CCI) program. The funding is being provided by an Innovation Enhancement grant that supports research collaborations between colleges and private sector businesses. Ideal projects allow industry partners to address specific business challenges, increase productivity, and demonstrate innovation.
Canadian government funding will allow the partners to accelerate projects that are aimed at solving barriers within the mining industry. Additionally, Cambrian students will gain invaluable real-world experience and access to state-of-the-art technologies.
$2.1M in Research Grants Awarded to Address Challenges in Canada’s Mining Industry
Cambrian College, is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 research institutions. The Sudbury, Ontario institution is involved in a number of collaborative projects that allow local businesses to access top research facilities and talent.
In May 2017, NSERC announced it would be providing up to $2.1 million in grants to support research projects at Cambrian College under the Mine Environmental Stewardship Initiative (MESI).
MESI specifically focuses on challenges faced within the mining sector and potential remediation efforts. Canadian government funding will allow several businesses to partner with the college’s faculty and students to identify and solve mining industry challenges. Research teams will help test feasible solutions to issues encountered by industry partners and other key stakeholders.
One of the projects will specifically look at using biological means to reduce the impact and recover metals from mine tailing ponds and waste rock. In addition, each project will help enhance research capacity, productivity, and innovation within Sudbury, Ontario.
“The key for us when we do applied research at Cambrian College is we find an industry partner that will reap the benefits of those projects in order to commercialize it further.”
– Mike Commito, Applied Research Developer, Cambrian College
Other NSERC Research and Development Grants for Post-Secondary Collaborations
Above and beyond the funding given to Cambrian College, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) administers a variety of government grants to support post-secondary research collaboration projects. Businesses planning to conduct strategic R&D activities may be eligible to access the following NSERC funding programs:
NSERC Engage
The NSERC Engage program supports collaborative research and development program that helps businesses partner with university researchers to solve a technological challenge. The program makes it easier for industry partners to access expertise, research/testing facilities, and software systems to overcome innovation barriers. Funding contributions can be used to offset researcher wages for short-term research projects lasting between 4-6 months.
Eligible applicants may receive up to $25,000 in research grants to solve an industry challenge or knowledge gap.
Program participants may be eligible to access additional government funding support through NSERC Engage Plus. Applicants can request an extra $12,500 in grants to help extend an on-going research project by up to 6 months.
Related Post: NSERC Engage Research Grants Awarded to Study Antibodies & Vaccines
NSERC Collaborative Research and Development (CRD)
The NSERC Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) program is typically accessed by partners already involved with an NSERC Engage project. The program supports large-scale R&D projects that use with the same faculty partners as the NSERC Engage project, for up to 5 years.
Eligible applicants may receive up to 50% coverage of project expenses to a maximum $200,000 per year in Canadian research grants.