Current Opportunities

Niagara College’s Research & Innovation provides real-world solutions for business, industry and the community through innovation activities. We are currently seeking industry partnerships in the following areas:

Industry partner intake ongoing at Research & Innovation

Niagara College’s Research & Innovation division is currently offering small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a way to advance their product development, improve their performance or take an innovative leap forward, thanks to government funding from various sources, and service opportunities available with our Innovation Centres.

We can help solve your innovation challenges related to technology adoption, in the sectors of:

- • advanced manufacturing
- • food and beverage
- • horticulture/greenhouse and environmental technologies
- • business & commercialization

The Niagara College team of expert faculty, students and researchers from our Innovation Centres will work with businesses to access resources to address technology and innovation challenges. As a result of this partnership opportunity, industry partners will:

- • develop new prototypes, products, processes
- • explore shelf-life extension
- • enhance greenhouse operations
- • test results that validate their products and services
- • advance horticultural practices
- • improve manufacturing production process
- • bring their products closer to market
- • gain market research, marketing plans and/or social media plans

In some cases, where government funding is involved, companies accessing these resources at Niagara College will be required to match those funds, at least 1:1, with a combination of cash and in-kind. In some cases, there is the possibility of fee for service opportunities, usually involving a short turn-around in a project outcome, but where the cost of the project is borne entirely by the industry partner.

In all cases, the intellectual property developed during the project belongs to the industry partner.

For more information, visit our Centres, linked below:

When you are ready for a conversation on next steps, please reach out to David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, at [email protected] or 905-735-2211, ext. 7056.

GTN: Growing Innovation

The Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN) offers a one-stop online hub that compiles the incredible capabilities to help grow innovation for Ontario’s greenhouse industry.

GTN is a network of three research-focused institutions – Niagara College’s Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, University of Guelph’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre – that collaborate with small- and medium-sized organizations to advance the development, adoption, and implementation of technologies to support greenhouse innovation.The network leverages faculty, students and state-of-the-market facilities and equipment, together with government funding, to support greenhouse and related technology businesses. Industry partner contributions (cash and in-kind) to solve innovation challenges are matched 1:1 up to a maximum of $100K match per project ($200K project total).

Please help spread the word to the Ontario greenhouse industry and related technology providers. Interested businesses can “apply now” at greenhousetechnetwork.ca/apply-now. Project intake is ongoing; all projects to be completed by March 2024.

SONAMI – Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation

Who – Seven post-secondary institutions in Southern Ontario, including Niagara College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre. Learn about all the institutions and their capabilities here.

What – Thanks for funding from FedDev, Niagara College leads the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI). From prototype development and productivity assessments, to production planning and production automation, SONAMI partners have capabilities in:

Additive Manufacturing
Flexible Manufacturing
High Productivity Manufacturing
Industrial Internet

Eligible projects should be focused on new product development with an eye to commercialization. The product may be at any stage of development when the project begins. The length of the project will vary dependent upon the level and type of assistance requested.

When – Projects intake is now open.

How the funding works – FedDev will support up to 50% of the eligible project costs. The industry partner must support at least 50% of the eligible research costs, i.e. must provide at least 1:1.2 matching on the institutional contribution. The matching contribution may consist of cash and in-kind support, however a minimum of 20% must be in cash.

For more information on the types of projects already completed across Southern Ontario, as well as how SONAMI can help you advance your R&D needs, visit sonami.ca, email [email protected] or call 905-735-2211, ext. 7066.

For more information about any of our funding programs, including details for companies interested in partnering with the Research & Innovation team, contact David DiPietro at [email protected] or 905-735-2211, ext. 7056.