Canadian PSE calls for $40M investment into applied research

Major associations and organizations representing colleges, cégeps, polytechnics, and institutes across the country have called on the federal government to include a $40M investment in applied research in the 2020 budget. Polytechnics Canada, the association pour la recherche au collégial, BC Colleges, Colleges Ontario, Colleges and Institutes Canada, Fédération des cégeps, Synchronex, Tech-Access Canada, and Atlantic Colleges Atlantique have co-signed a letter suggesting that such an investment will enrich collaborations between the college sector and SMEs. "We are confident that, with predictable, dedicated funding, the college sector will be better positioned to ensure partners are capitalizing on innovation-ready physical spaces, applied research expertise and cutting-edge technologies," states the letter. "Given their leadership in zero-waste initiatives, carbon-neutral buildings and micro-grid technology, they are also ideally positioned to share and scale this type of expertise." Polytechnics Canada (National)