In its special report Canada’s Innovation Leaders, Research Infosource Inc. announced the rankings based on total research funding numbers for 2022. The publication includes a national study “Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges”.

“I am exceptionally proud that Niagara College has reached the No. 1 spot in Canada and Ontario as the top research college in funding,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Research and innovation is a priority in the College’s Strategic Plan as it provides real-world solutions for businesses and extraordinary experiential learning opportunities for students.”

“We have truly hit our stride as the research, innovation, and development arm for many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across Ontario and the country,” Kennedy added. “Our reputation and funding from various levels of government and industry continues to grow, keeping us at the top of this list, and generating great pride for Niagara College.”

Among colleges with applied research funding in Canada, NC earned the No. 1 spot by attracting more than $32 million in research support to conduct innovative projects with industry partners in the food and beverage, advanced manufacturing, horticulture and environment sectors, as well as on business and commercialization. In the category of completed research projects, NC finished No. 1 for complete research projects at a mid-size college with a total of 208, while NC’s total number of research partnerships was 222, ranking No. 3.

“To say we are pleased about reaching the No. 1 spot in Canada and Ontario is an understatement,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice President – Research, Innovation & Strategic Enterprises. “I am so proud of all our staff, faculty, researchers, and students who helped make this happen and work, day in and day out, to provide innovative solutions for industry partners.”

“Niagara College leapt into first place nationally this year on research income and also holds first place in research intensity,” noted Rob Freedman, CEO, Research Infosource. “Equally impressive is the high number of completed research projects. Clearly, the focus on research of Niagara’s faculty, students and administration is showing itself.”

Research funding enables the College to partner with SMEs in the region to conduct projects and services, which provide innovative solutions for industry, including producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products and processes. NC conducts applied research, technical services and business and commercialization solutions with industry partners through its Business & Commercialization Innovation Centre, Food & Beverage Innovation Centre, Horticultural & Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre, and Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre.

Across all four Innovation Centres, NC pairs industry partners with highly qualified and experienced staff researchers, faculty, recent graduates, and students with the expertise to meet applied research and innovation needs in many areas. Students gain real-world experience and professional development while networking directly with industry partners.

In addition, Niagara College leads two multi-institution networks, Greenhouse Technology Network and the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, capable of addressing industry challenges in technologies related to greenhouse operations, and in advanced manufacturing.

Miski Brewing (the sister company of Miski Organics) is proud to be certified gluten-free, organic, vegan and kosher – the first beer to do this in North America.

Already a previous client with the Food & Beverage Innovation Centre (FBIC), having had the team work on Miski Organics products like their vegan pancake mix and Maca Cacao Blend, Ricardo Irivarren, Co-founder of Miski Organics and Miski Brewing, knew the team would be able to help him bring his dream of this quinoa-based beer into reality.

Ricardo asked the FBIC team, led by Ana Cristina Vega-Lugo, PhD, Scientific Manager, and Adrian Popowycz, Research Lead, if they could create this beer with organic quinoa, so they could have a certified gluten-free and organic product as well.

The FBIC team came up with various recipes for Ricardo and they landed on an option. They also helped Ricardo learn how to scale-up production and understand the market. Fast forward to present day and Miski Brewing, an innovative craft brewery, has entered the Barrie craft brew market with their unique certified organic, keto-friendly, gluten-free beer made from quinoa, which caters to the growing demand for healthier and diverse beer options.

“It’s a groundbreaking project. The process, the standards, the way we developed the recipe is all unique,” said Ricardo. “Working with the College was crucial because they were the first ones to encourage us to dream. They took on the challenges I gave them and have really helped us to create the product we have right now. They’re a great part of our story,” he added.

Not only is this product a Canadian success story, but after working on the FBIC team from 2019 to 2021, Ricardo hired two R&I NC alumni to join the Miski Brewing team – Head Brewer Daniel Fonseca and Operations Manager Rodrigo Ribeiro.