Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

In recent years, Collège Boréal’s research endeavours have considerably grown, with the college now recognized for its work supporting the mining, forestry, and agriculture and agri-food sectors. Its research activities represent a significant source of collaborations with both industry and community partners and continues to expand to meet community needs. To address emerging innovation and workforce goals in these sectors, Collège Boréal is seeking to modernize and enhance its research capacity by upgrading its Glencore Applied Research Centre for Biodiversity. This unique Northern Ontario applied research centre contains two classrooms, a 4,500 sq. ft. forestry greenhouse, and a 2,250 sq. ft. agricultural greenhouse comprised of four individuals grow rooms that can have unique set-ups (e.g., hydroponics, drip irrigation systems, etc.) with individual humidity and temperature configurations. Of note, the centre has supported over 20 projects and initiatives in agriculture and forestry in collaboration with small and medium enterprises, as well as with multinationals. After many years of use and to better answer the ever-growing demand for agricultural and environmental research and innovation services in their region, Collège Boréal is seeking support to purchase new applied research equipment, where each component is interdependent and forms one integrated system: an Automated Greenhouse Management System, Overhead Boom-Sprayers and Soil Moisture Sensors. These new components are key to ensure the success of current and future research endeavours. We are committed to enhancing our research capacity and contributing meaningfully to the northern innovation ecosystem and environmental health and we believe this new system will allow us to continue our innovative research activities, providing essential support to promote economic growth of the forestry, agriculture, and agri-food sectors of Northern Ontario.