NSERC
$1.5 Million College and Community Innovation (CCI) program Mobilize grant to expand applied research at Aurora College

Aurora College received $1.5 million over five years through Tri-Agencies, CCI program for a Mobilize grant, administered by the Natural Sciences Engineering and Research Council (NSERC). The funding is to provide flexible, targeted funding for the college's applied research programs aimed at expanding faculty engagement, student training and community innovations.

In addition to the research capacity the grant, "Mobilizing Applied Research in a Changing NWT", will bring to the college it also supports partnerships with local and Indigenous communities in the NWT, expanding applied research initiatives that explore the evolving needs of NWT residents and communities. As the NWT continues to diversify its economy, new opportunities are emerging that build on resource extraction, as well as expanding the innovation agenda. New labour market opportunities and demands will be supported by the grant that includes strengthening the knowledge economy. The grant will allow Aurora College to expand applied research in all areas, to establish research that builds partnerships and knowledge mobilization.

This announcement will help drive the sustainable development of the NWT and prepare a diverse skilled workforce for the future.

This funding will assist Aurora College to expand and enhance northern applied research programs that foster innovation, build local research capacity, and increase applied research opportunities for faculty, students and our partners. To achieve these goals, the college will use the funds to develop new applied research projects and improve existing ones, offer students valuable experiential learning opportunities in research alongside faculty, hire additional research staff, and cover some indirect research costs in shared projects with communities. New opportunities for students will include awards and paid research opportunities to students annually, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. In addition to supporting students, the grant will allow the college to provide release time to faculty to engage in research activities.

The grant establishes a Partnership Development Fund and a Knowledge Mobilization Fund to further collaborative research with northern and Indigenous organizations and partners. A key aim of both Funds will be to ensure research addresses regional priorities, with special focus on building Indigenous capacity and sustainable development.

The Mobilize Grant is one of eight announced recently by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). NSERC is the major federal agency responsible for funding natural sciences and engineering research in Canada. NSERC, combined with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), forms the major source of federal government funding to post-secondary research.

Quotes:

 "This significant investment enables Aurora College to further our commitment to applied research that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of the Northwest Territories. By strengthening our research capacity and providing our students with hands-on applied research and learning experiences, we are preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the region's economic transformation."

Dr. Angela James, President, Aurora College

"The NSERC Mobilize Grant will allow us to diversify our collaboration with local and Indigenous research partners, ensuring that our applied research reflects and responds to the priorities of the communities we serve. This grant will not only support cutting-edge applied research but also help develop a skilled workforce that will drive innovation and sustainable development across the North."

Dr. Chris Paci, Vice President of Research, Aurora College