By Pari Johnston, President & CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada.
This op-ed was published by The Hill Times on September 25, 2024.
Canada’s research and innovation landscape is ready for an overhaul. For years, our public research and development spending has trailed behind other Group of Seven (G7) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and our track record in business innovation is sub-par. That means we’re missing out on realizing the full benefits of our research right here at home.
But here’s the good news: change is on the horizon. Last year’s Report on the Federal Research Support System (“the Bouchard Report”) made it clear that many of us in Canada’s research ecosystem need to reflect with purpose on what we’re trying to achieve. More recently, federal investments and the ongoing work to set up a new capstone research funding organization indicate a promising shift to a more strategic, multi- and interdisciplinary approach that mobilizes our research and innovation ecosystem to address the country’s – and the world’s – most pressing challenges.
It’s more important than ever that we reimagine our approach to meeting policy challenges and driving impact via our research ecosystem – and Canada’s colleges and institutes are uniquely placed to do so.
In 2021-2022, our sector worked on more than 8,000 applied research projects resulting in 6,500 new processes, products, and prototypes in areas like housing construction and advanced manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture and food production, and social innovation. That means things like developing a new prototype that can help a local business reduce waste – or testing the efficiency of a new insulated panel that can be used in modular housing construction. These are the real results that make Canadian businesses more efficient, competitive, and productive.
College and institute applied research is partner- and problem-driven innovation. Our cues come from the communities we serve, leading to on-the ground impact and improved technology adoption, adaptation, and integration.
With 80% of projects completed in less than a year, it’s also innovation at the “speed of business”. And – importantly – with college-led research, 98% of industry partners are in Canada and keep their intellectual property.
The numbers tell us half the story. The other half is about how the impact, relevance, and reach of college and institute research translate into real benefits for Canadians and for the long-term sustainability of Canadian industry.
That impact is more important now than ever, with urgent demands to address our big public policy questions – things like providing sustainable and affordable housing, preparing for and preventing large natural disasters, designing cities and spaces that respect our environment, transitioning to clean energies.
I am glad the Bouchard Report, the development of a new the capstone research organization, and new partnership opportunities with Horizon Europe have brought mission-driven research back into focus and, looking forward, I’m optimistic about the impact we can achieve.
Still, the college and institute sector currently only receives 2.9% of federal research funding from Tri-Council agencies. And many federal research programs, either in terms of institutional eligibility, funding restrictions, or the process by which successful applicants are determined, are not adequately attuned to the college and institute reality. That needs to be changed if we want to leverage the full potential of college applied research and maximize the impact of federal research dollars.
Innovation policy thinkers have advocated for a challenge-driven industrial strategy for Canada – and I think we need to also embrace a challenge-driven research approach to support this agenda. That means a fresh look at the role, value-add, capacities and connections of all research ecosystem partners to focus our efforts and resources on solving practical challenges facing communities, regions, and our country. This is precisely what colleges and institutes do best.
The future of Canada’s research ecosystem must also support historically excluded groups in conducting impact-oriented research. Challenge-driven research that capitalizes on college and institute applied research expertise, their networks of partners across sectors, and state-of-the-art facilities can – and should – be positioned one of Canada’s strongest motors for innovation by thinking purposefully about funding.
With a demand-driven approach, an ethos of collaboration, and expertise in knowledge translation and technology uptake by local industry partners, we can drive greater downstream impact of a challenge-driven research agenda in areas like housing, economic diversification in traditional sectors and innovative manufacturing.
Canada’s research ecosystem must be reimagined and redesigned in a way that drives impact for Canadians and Canadian businesses. The way to get there is through colleges and institutes.