Advancing Canadian Agri-Innovations: New Research Innovation Program will benefit research community and industry

In the course of working with the 800 researchers who make the University of Guelph a hotbed of innovation, I’ve learned a lot about cutting edge science, technology and research that will have positive economic on both Canada and the world. I’ve also learned that universities and industry can benefit from learning from one another by creating innovation bridges that allow both groups to develop new skills and insights.

To encourage this dynamic to flourish, my team at the Research Innovation Office (RIO) is piloting a new program funded by Food from Thought. The Innovation Immersion Placement Program will provide learning opportunities for our University of Guelph research community to work with industry, especially start-ups and growing companies working in the precision ag, agri-tech, food-tech or specialized food manufacturing sectors. 

The objective of this new program is to place keen, highly skilled early career stage researchers, postdocs and grad students in dynamic industry settings where they can add value to the operations and/or R&D efforts of the business while also collecting new experiences and entrepreneurial skills that they can bring back to campus to help build innovation capacity within our research community. 

How will the Immersion Placements work?

• Duration: Most Innovation Immersion Placements will encompass a full semester (15 weeks) so that the partners (company and researcher) each capture value from the arrangement. Shorter placements are possible in specific circumstances.
• Cost: There is no cost for the industry partner. The Research Innovation office will compensate the researcher for their time commitment to ensure that there are no expenses incurred by the participating companies. The value of most placements will range from $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the candidate to be placed.
• Supervision: Throughout and after each placement, a Research Innovation staff member will liaise with both the company and the researcher to ensure that all expectations are being met and that the placement is providing value for all parties.
• Good Partners: Appropriate companies to partner with the University on this program are:
  • in growth mode;
  • have an entrepreneurial culture;
  • are willing to include our placement candidates in dynamic, challenging projects that require problem-solving and group collaboration; and
  • want to learn more about cutting edge research and build their network of collaboration partners.

Want to learn more? Contact us today if you are a researcher or a company that would like to participate in this exciting new program!