PrairiesCan is investing $899,500 into the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE).
A network of leading Prairie polytechnic institutions including Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology P2INACLE will drive social, economic and technological innovation across Western Canada by providing businesses with access to facilities, equipment and research expertise.
Led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, P2INACLE will launch its first pilot with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) this spring. The pilot will bring together polytechnics and industry partners from across the Prairies to develop a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects.
The goal is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals sector in Western Canada.
"Success on the Prairies has always been built on cooperation. That's why our government is supporting P2INACLE a partnership bringing Prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions," said the Hon. Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan.
"By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the Prairies."
IMII is a hub for expertise and innovation in Saskatchewan's minerals industry, driving change and creating solutions. With PrairiesCan support, P2INACLE researchers along with IMII and their partners will come together in Saskatoon this month to launch the collaborative applied research network.
In May, P2INACLE researchers will join mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII's IDEATE 2025 event to learn about the challenges faced by the mining industry. At this event, P2INACLE members will team up with industry on various applied research projects.
"We are excited to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project, a significant step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within Western Canada's mining and minerals sector," says Al Shpyth, executive director of IMII.
"This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the Prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements. We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort."
The partnership with IMII will promote cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on industry needs and solutions. Through P2INACLE, industry will also have increased access to high-quality personnel and trainees, facilitating the implementation of new innovations.
"The P2INACLE initiative aligns with RRC Polytech's areas of strength in clean tech, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources. We believe our efforts in this cross-prairies partnership will help Canada's mining and minerals sector to be globally competitive," says Dr. Jolen Galaugher, Executive Director of Research Partnerships & Innovation at RRC Polytech.
"P2INACLE enhances opportunities across the value chain by leveraging the collective capabilities of state of the art infrastructure, research expertise and talent at our prairie polytechnics."
Manitoba-based partners and businesses are invited to reach out to RRC Polytech's Research Partnerships & Innovation department to learn more about P2INACLE and how they can connect with the College's expertise.
P2INACLE aims to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration. It acts as a catalyst for regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses.
By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources.
