Dr. Adrienne Galway, President and CEO of the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT), announced funding to support projects that help students access postsecondary opportunities across Ontario's public colleges, universities, and Indigenous Institutes. From April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, ONCAT awarded $2.04 million in funding for 29 institutional projects.
"ONCAT's funding for institutional projects will reduce barriers and smooth transitions for learners," said Dr. Galway. "We prioritize innovative initiatives with the potential to scale or be adopted across institutions, that help learners successfully navigate their academic journey and receive appropriate recognition for previous academic and work experience. Our mission is to ensure that learners complete their postsecondary credentials and transition successfully into the workforce."
"Our province's postsecondary education programs are building Ontario's workforce of today and tomorrow," said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. "Our government is proud to support ONCAT and their critical efforts to reduce barriers for students looking to get the training they need to begin successful careers that meet our province's labour market needs."
"ONCAT's funding empowers institutions to collaborate and innovate in support of student success," said Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, and Co-Chair of ONCAT's Board of Directors. "These projects provide practical solutions that make it easier for learners to move forward with confidence," added Dr. Lesley Rigg, President and Vice-Chancellor of Brock University, and Co-Chair of ONCAT's Board of Directors. "Together, we're building a more connected and responsive postsecondary system that puts learners at the centre and helps them reach their full potential."
ONCAT-funded projects showcase innovative approaches to enhancing learner mobility across Ontario's postsecondary sector.
In 2024-25, ONCAT awarded funding to the following 29 institutional projects:
Expanding Pathways for Engineering Technology and Engineering Programs
Lead institution: Queen's University
Partner organizations: University of Windsor, York University
Project summary: Develops new pathways between engineering technology and accredited engineering programs. By sharing capacity-building resources across the sector, the project will increase student access to in-demand labour market sectors across Ontario.
Creating Engineering Pathways for Military-connected Learners
Lead institution: Lakehead University
Partner organization: Georgian College
Project summary: Develops specialized pathways for military-connected learners to enrol in accredited Bachelor of Engineering programs. By recognizing the skills and experiences from the Canadian Armed Forces, the project will expand access to programs that support in-demand labour market sectors.
Developing Degree Completion Pathways
Lead institution: Conestoga College
Partner organizations: Algonquin College and the participation of multiple colleges
Project summary: Develops seamless 3-year degree completion pathways for graduates of high affinity advanced diploma programs. The collaborative, province-wide standardization of these degrees will expand opportunities to high-quality postsecondary education that meets the demands of today's job market.
Building Pathways: Kinesiology to Massage Therapy
Lead institution: Ontario Tech University
Partner organization: Durham College
Project summary: Builds pathway opportunities from Kinesiology to Massage Therapy programs. By developing new course materials, the pathway will reduce the time required to complete a second program helping learners enter the labour market sooner.
Expanding Pathways for Education-related Programs
Lead institution: Lakehead University
Partner organizations: Confederation College, Georgian College
Project summary: Expands pathway opportunities for Education-related diploma and degree programs. By supporting learners from Central and Northern Ontario with pathways into the Keewatinase Indigenous Teacher Education program, the project improves access to postsecondary education and in-demand careers.
Building Frameworks for Degree Pathways and Work Experience Recognition
Lead institution: Conestoga College
Partner organizations: Algonquin College and the participation of multiple colleges
Project summary: Builds sector-wide frameworks for diploma-to-degree pathways in business and applied computing programming programs. By developing assessments to recognize work experience, the project will reduce barriers for students and graduates seeking to upgrade their postsecondary credentials.
Developing Pathways for Architecture Programs
Lead institution: Laurentian University
Partner organization: Collège Boréal
Project summary: Analyzes the viability of developing pathways for architecture programs, especially within the context of professional accreditations. The project will explore ways to help students prepare for in-demand careers related to architecture, construction and housing.
Actualizing Indigenous Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Lakehead University
Partner organizations: Six Nations Polytechnic, Canadore College, Kiikenomaga Kikenjigewen Employment & Training Services
Project summary: Facilitates the co-creation of Indigenous Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition knowledge and strategies. The project will support the multi-institutional development of policies and practices that promote culturally relevant postsecondary education for Indigenous learners.
ONCAT CAPACITY GRANTS support the development and implementation of learner-centric policies, practices and pathways at a single postsecondary institution.
Improving Program Delivery to Enhance Learner Mobility
Lead institution: St. Clair College
Project summary: Improves program delivery to enhance accessibility and learner mobility. By modularizing courses, standardizing assessments, developing bridging resources and leveraging online platforms, the project will create flexible pathways that support student success.
Updating Transfer Credit Databases, Processes and Resources
Lead institution: University of Ottawa
Project summary: Updates transfer credit databases, streamlines administrative processes and improves communications resources. By creating new webpages and including transfer information in admissions offers, the project will facilitate seamless transitions for students.
Enhancing Transfer Pathways and Course Equivalency Database
Lead institution: Georgian College
Project summary: Enhances student mobility by developing and integrating transfer pathways and course equivalency databases and processes with ONTransfer. Through collaboration and data sharing, this initiative will empower students to make informed decisions about their transfer options.
Developing Evidence-informed Practices for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Humber Polytechnic
Project summary: Develops evidence-informed resources for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By implementing new strategies and practices for PLAR advising, this project will help more learners access postsecondary opportunities that advance their professional goals.
Transfer Credit Database Expansion
Lead institution: Durham College
Project summary: Expands the functionality of a transfer credit database. By beginning a process to shift transfer credit assessments from post-admission to pre-admission, the project aims to provide students with clearer information about postsecondary options.
Continuing Education to Support Learner Mobility and Labour Market Outcomes
Lead institution: Canadore College
Project summary: Tracks the academic progress and post-graduation outcomes for Continuing Education students. With a focus on learners from rural communities and underrepresented groups, the project will promote alignment between education programs and labour market needs.
Continuing Studies: Transfer Credits and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: University of Guelph
Project summary: Develops new policies and tools to consider Continuing Studies programs for transfer credits and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By improving the transparency and speed of evaluation processes, the project will help students accomplish their educational goals.
Expediting Transfer Assessments for Healthcare Programs
Lead institution: Michener Institute at UHN
Project summary: Expedites credit transfer assessment for students applying to direct entry healthcare programs. By developing a process to identify eligible transfer credits as part of the admission letters, the project will help students make informed decisions about education and career pathways.
Developing a Toolkit for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Fanshawe College
Project summary: Develops a comprehensive toolkit for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By reviewing the challenges associated with current institutional processes, the project will engage faculty members and create resources that support student success and mobility.
Empowering Transfer Students: Strategies for Academic and Social Integration
Lead institution: Trent University
Project summary: Launches community-building and outreach initiatives that will empower transfer students during their transitions to a new institution. The project will develop academic resources and expand support programs for transfer students.
Innovation in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Université de Hearst
Project summary: Develops and implement a comprehensive framework for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By enhancing the process to validate skills and experiences, the project provides learners with more flexible options to pursue postsecondary education.
Developing Healthcare-related Pathways
Lead institution: George Brown College
Project summary: Develops healthcare-related curriculum within programs that support newcomers and English as a Second Language. By focusing on content related to healthcare careers, the project will help learners successfully pursue pathways into postsecondary programs that support in-demand labour market sectors.
Engaging Faculty to Support Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Loyalist College
Project summary: Creates resources that support faculty engagement with policies and practices related to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By expanding PLAR awareness across the institution, this project will promote flexible, responsive and equitable access to postsecondary education.
Highlighting Postsecondary Pathways for Francophone and Bilingual Students
Lead institution: Collège La Cité
Project summary: Updates a website that provides information about pathway opportunities. By modernizing the website with resources related to transfer and mobility, the project will help Francophone and bilingual learners continue their postsecondary education and reach their career goals.
Embracing A Two-Eyed Seeing Approach to Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Lead institution: Brock University
Project summary: Implements culturally relevant assessment practices for admission and advanced standing. By creating resources that support Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, the project will increase opportunities for Indigenous learners to access postsecondary programs.
Improving Transfer Opportunities for Francophone and Bilingual Students
Lead institution: Laurentian University
Project summary: Reviews a framework for articulation agreements between institutions that deliver French-language programs. By updating credit recognition analyses, the project will facilitate more opportunities for Francophone and bilingual students to pursue their educational and professional goals.
Academic Transition Program Review and Development
Lead institution: University of Guelph
Project summary: Identifies effective practices for supporting learners who do not meet standard admission requirements. The project will provide recommendations for reducing postsecondary barriers and redesigning academic transition programs.
Building Campus Capacity to Support Transfer Students
Lead institution: York University
Project summary: Strengthens capacity among campus partners to understand the unique circumstances and challenges faced by transfer students. The project will build a transfer-receptive culture that supports students' transitions and academic success.
Pathways to Postsecondary through Community-Based Prior Learning Evaluations
Lead institution: Mohawk College
Project summary: Supports Black, Indigenous and racialized youth by awarding micro-credentials that can be applied for credit toward a college certificate. The project will enhance a framework for community-based prior learning and improve the accessibility of postsecondary education.
INDIGENOUS INSTITUTES TRANSFER GRANTS support the development and implementation of learner-centric policies, practices and pathways at a single Indigenous Institute.
Strengthening University Partnerships to Support Learner Mobility
Lead institution: Six Nations Polytechnic
Project summary: Establishes a structured system to support students in first-year pathway programs. By strengthening university partnerships, enhancing student tracking and developing transition resources, the project aims to improve student success and create more opportunities for learner mobility.
Developing Frameworks for Admissions and Assessment
Lead institution: FNTI
Project summary: Develops a framework for the evaluation of transfer credits and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. By creating transfer guidelines rooted in Indigenous pedagogy, the project will empower learners to navigate their postsecondary and career journeys.
For more information
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