Grant: Technology Access Centre

Today, simple devices are smarter. LED light bulbs can be controlled by your phone. These devices not only do things for us, they also collect and store data. This digital revolution has sparked an increase in demand for applied research projects from global and regional companies. This demand is increasingly directed toward the Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE) at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SKPoly), est. 2014. Our researchers work with companies of all sizes and across all sectors to find new ways of gaining insights from the data their businesses produce and, of equal importance, ways of protecting that data. Our responses to such requests require interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to applied research that create networks of resources and relationships, which can then be called upon to assist in future projects. This Technology Access Centre (TAC) application seeks to ensure that these resources are available to industry in this region on both short- and long-term bases, and that we can continue to grow in order to meet local, regional and national needs for data-driven applied research. Ninety-five percent of the applied research projects currently performed by DICE are with small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): thereby benefiting the region in fulfillment of our mandate. DICE's plan to increase capacity for applied research under the TAC program involves budgeting for personnel, project management, business development, infrastructure operation, and knowledge transfer. Securing this funding will sustain and amplify DICEs current growth, while expanding long-term capital and partnership solutions with industry and organizations.