Grant: Technology Access Centre
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
$175,000.00
Renewal of Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Recycling Technologies Technology Access Centre
FY 2024-25
Summary
Conestoga College's Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Recycling Technologies (SMART) Centre has been Waterloo Region’s access point for innovation since 2020. Initially focused on enhancing manufacturing processes and developing innovative solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, and e-waste recycling, SMART's ongoing evolution is informed by consistent engagement with industry stakeholders and collaboration with regional organizations to identify emerging innovation needs and align our capabilities and services accordingly.
Over the past five years, SMART has supported 251 unique industry partners on 294 projects and successfully implemented capital projects worth over $4M, while hiring and training 423 paid research students. SMART closes the regional innovation gap by providing a blend of funded and fee-for-service innovation services helping SMEs to enhance their manufacturing processes, develop and test new products and technologies, and upskill their workforce through customized training. SMART has successfully positioned itself as a vital resource for addressing these challenges and, over 5 years, we have leveraged the initial $1.75M from NSERC to generate $7.3M in revenue from industry partners and public funders.
Over the next 5 years SMART hopes to attract an additional $11.7M in revenue through servicing clients in core sectors of manufacturing and supply chain while also expanding to address emerging opportunities in the zero emission vehicle ecosystem and agri-food sector. SMART plans to continue with a focus on providing exceptional student training opportunities with plans to employ and train 528 student researchers in 2025-2031.
Located within an innovative ecosystem of world-class incubators, accelerators, and university research labs, SMART is a unique resource in the region. We stand out as the only provider that unifies industry support across applied research and development, technical services, and specialized training, bridging the gap between innovation needs and organizational capacity.
Program
Technology Access Centre
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
CCTAC-2024-00183
Name nom
Dukes, Jeff
Department département
Smart Manufacturing & Advaned Recycling Technologies Centre - Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Organization id
22147
Institution établissement
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2024
Award amount
175000
Program id
CTAC
Program name en
Technology Access Centre
Program name fr
Centre d'accès à la technologie
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
CCTAC-2023
Committee name en
TAC Full Application Review Committee
Committee name fr
Comité d’évaluation ECAT demande complète
Area of application code
9999
Area of application group en
Not available
Area of application group fr
Non disponible
Area of application en
Not available
Area of application fr
Non disponible
Research subject code
9999
Research subject group en
Not available
Research subject group fr
Non disponible
Research subject en
Not available
Research subject fr
Non disponible
Field of research list codes
RDF1020112; RDF2040306
Field of research list names en
Computer vision in artificial intelligence;Manufacturing processes and technologies (except textiles)
Field of research list names fr
Vision par ordinateur en intelligence artificielle;Procédés et technologies de fabrication (sauf pour les textiles)
Socioeconomic objective list codes
RDS10608
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Machinery and equipment (including automated machinery and equipment)
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Machines et matériel (y compris les machines et le matériel automatisés)
Application title
Renewal of Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Recycling Technologies Technology Access Centre
Keywords
Product Development; Robotics; Advanced Manufacturing; Artificial Intelligence Applications; Machine Vision in AI; Cybersecurity; Software Development and Testing; Food & Beverage Manufacturing; Zero Emission Vehicle ; Electronics Development & Testing
Application summary
Conestoga College's Smart Manufacturing & Advanced Recycling Technologies (SMART) Centre has been Waterloo Region’s access point for innovation since 2020. Initially focused on enhancing manufacturing processes and developing innovative solutions in manufacturing, supply chain, and e-waste recycling, SMART's ongoing evolution is informed by consistent engagement with industry stakeholders and collaboration with regional organizations to identify emerging innovation needs and align our capabilities and services accordingly.
Over the past five years, SMART has supported 251 unique industry partners on 294 projects and successfully implemented capital projects worth over $4M, while hiring and training 423 paid research students. SMART closes the regional innovation gap by providing a blend of funded and fee-for-service innovation services helping SMEs to enhance their manufacturing processes, develop and test new products and technologies, and upskill their workforce through customized training. SMART has successfully positioned itself as a vital resource for addressing these challenges and, over 5 years, we have leveraged the initial $1.75M from NSERC to generate $7.3M in revenue from industry partners and public funders.
Over the next 5 years SMART hopes to attract an additional $11.7M in revenue through servicing clients in core sectors of manufacturing and supply chain while also expanding to address emerging opportunities in the zero emission vehicle ecosystem and agri-food sector. SMART plans to continue with a focus on providing exceptional student training opportunities with plans to employ and train 528 student researchers in 2025-2031.
Located within an innovative ecosystem of world-class incubators, accelerators, and university research labs, SMART is a unique resource in the region. We stand out as the only provider that unifies industry support across applied research and development, technical services, and specialized training, bridging the gap between innovation needs and organizational capacity.
