Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has been awarded an historic federal research grant.
RDP has received a $3.25 million Mobilize grant, the largest one-time applied research grant in the institution’s 60-year history.
The grant is being provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). It will enable RDP to leverage data-driven solutions to foster regional innovation and prosperity across RDP’s applied research pillars: Manufacturing & Advanced Manufacturing, Energy Innovation, Healthcare & Health Technology and Social Innovation.
“Data-driven innovation will be a cross-cutting applied research theme, enhancing synergies across the existing applied research pillars and positioning Red Deer Polytechnic and our students at the forefront of digital transformation to increase regional productivity and enhance social innovation,” said Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research. “Over the next five years, our data-driven strategy will result in cutting-edge interdisciplinary applied research and the adoption of digital technologies by multisectoral organizations with direct benefits to regional prosperity, including improved regional productivity, revenue generation, and job creation.”
A news release states that the grant’s flexibility will allow RDP to enhance the use of data to support applied research with resources where they are most needed. A few examples include permitting RDP to develop and improve health care devices and digital tools, contributing new knowledge to enhance programs for child advocacy and supporting energy companies to develop and demonstrate technologies that reduce emissions.
RDP students will benefit from this Mobilize grant by receiving unique technology-based applied research and work-integrated learning opportunities, while also cultivating connections with industry partners. It's expected that through these experiences, Red Deer Polytechnic graduates will increase their demand in the labour market.
The grant, which will be distributed to RDP over five years, is among the highest amounts awarded by NSERC to post-secondary institutions in this year’s Mobilize grant funding.