Polytechnics Canada welcomes launch of the federal Community and College Social Innovation Fund

WINNIPEG, Nov. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Polytechnics Canada welcomes the launch of the Community and College Social Innovation Fund, announced today at Red River College in Winnipeg. Red River College's Science of Early Childhood Development (SECD) program is a shining example of the kinds of social science applied research taking place at Canada's colleges and polytechnics that leads to innovation outcomes for Canadian society.

"The Community and College Social Innovation Fund represents important, new and very welcome funding that will connect the talent, facilities and capabilities of Canada's colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of local community organizations," said Nobina Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of Polytechnics Canada.

The federal government's 2014 Budget allocated $10 million over two years in support of social innovation research projects at colleges and polytechnics. It aims to increase the capacity of Canada's publicly-funded polytechnics and colleges to work with communities, with the goal of developing partnerships that foster social innovation in areas such as education, integration of vulnerable populations, and community development. Today's announcement signals the launch of the new pilot.

As the lead proponent for this new pilot initiative, Polytechnics Canada knows that this new funding will enable colleges and polytechnics to undertake demand-driven social innovation research projects with partners from the social and not-for-profit sectors. "In each case, the result of the project will be something new or improved that harnesses the talent of our students and faculties and so contributes to the greater public good," added Robinson.

Polytechnics Canada is the voice of leading research-intensive, publicly funded colleges and institutes of technology. We are dedicated to helping colleges and industry create jobs for tomorrow through the innovation and talent of our students and graduates.

Located in Canada's key economic regions, the 11 member colleges and institutes of Polytechnics Canada are: British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), SAIT Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Red River College, Conestoga Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, George Brown College, Seneca College, and Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology.

SOURCE: Polytechnics Canada

Ken Doyle, Director of Policy, Polytechnics Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected]