Grant: CCI Mobilize Grants

Red River College Polytechnic (RRCP) is seeking NSERC Mobilize funding to establish the Digital Technology Transformation Initiative (DTTI) to build applied research (AR) capacity to support Manitoba (MB) industry and community partners in the leading sectors of Advanced Manufacturing & Climate/Cleantech in achieving digital transformation and net-zero goals. Leveraging existing regional and institutional AR and training strengths, DTTI will generate a broad range of high-impact, synergistic, and interdisciplinary partnerships, strengthening RRCP’s position as a vital resource in MB’s innovation ecosystem, the regional socioeconomic system, and provincial economy now and into the future. The AR and training objectives of the proposal align with RRCP’s 2022 – 2026 Strategic and Research plans, mobilizing substantial existing and planned investments into AR and training. DTTI will advance the economic and environmental sustainability of MB’s industry and innovation ecosystem by de-risking innovation; increasing technology transfer; supporting digitalization and 4.0 adoption; increasing the number and diversity of graduates with digital and innovation skills; and increasing awareness of the power of digital technology (DT) enablers to businesses in priority sectors. The Mobilize-funded DTTI will rapidly accelerate digitally-focused AR expertise at RRCP to address our industry and community partners’ most critical needs in the areas of advanced digital manufacturing (ADM) and climate/clean tech while laying the groundwork for deepening collaborations with current and prospective partners in these and adjacent areas. DTTI’s inherently interdisciplinary approach to AR projects will expand collaborations with industry, and national and provincial research labs while facilitating interdisciplinary project-based student training and a talent pipeline of diverse innovators to power the workforce of tomorrow.