Centre for Bioeconomy at Fanshawe College (CBE@FAN)

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To enhance its service to the agri-food production sector, a priority area for applied research under its new**Strategic Mandate Agreement (SMA) 2017-2020, Fanshawe College proposes to establish the Centre for**Bioeconomy at Fanshawe College (CBE@Fan), a collaborative, industry-led research hub within our newly**opened Centre for Advanced Research and Innovation in Biotechnology (CARIB). Federal and provincial**policy looks to grow the agri-food production sector (and agriculture more generally) through increased**innovation, recognizing its importance to the economy at all levels. However, agri-food producers face sectoral**barriers to innovation that hamper growth, including inefficient knowledge diffusion and delayed technology**adoption, insufficient support for product development and commercialization, and shortages of skilled labour.**Currently, Fanshawe engages with about forty companies in this sector a year, but requires CBE@Fan's**increased capacity to address these larger sectoral issues. Consultation with local and regional stakeholders**identified bioeconomy projects-including the creation of new bioproducts, the enhancement of existing food**and beverage products, and the valorization of agri-food waste-in three theme areas that could be served by**CBE@Fan: 1) plant and soil health; 2) food innovation; and 3) Agri-Food Waste to Bioproducts Value Chains.**The facilities, equipment, expertise, and personnel available to partners would make investments in innovation**worthwhile, expedite product development and commercialization, and improve knowledge diffusion and**technology adoption through its emphasis on collaborative and networked approaches to research and**innovation. Further, by involving students in company-led applied research projects, CBE@Fan will develop**highly qualified personnel (HQP) for the local workforce able to translate innovation activities from the lab to**the workplace. Ultimately, we anticipate CBE@Fan will have an immediate and significant impact on the**commercialization of new products, the establishment of new revenue streams, and the creation of new jobs.