Adaptation, Innovation and Mobilization (AIM): Sustainable Research Partnerships at NAIT

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The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leader in industry-driven applied research and technical training. NAIT's institutional strategic plan has identified applied research (AR) priority areas strongly aligned to Alberta industry needs - Cleaner Energy, Environment, and Sustainable Development. Through these, we will enhance the competitiveness of Alberta industries, respond to the evolving needs of learners and companies, and adopt leading-edge technologies to drive operational excellence and student success, meeting and exceeding our commitments to our learners, industry partners, communities, and staff.NAIT's AR focus has sharpened and expertise has grown in the last 12 years, as demonstrated by the success of our seven AR centres, the strength of our partnerships and collaborations, number of students trained, and expansions to dedicated research laboratory space. Together with our partners, we are joined in the global efforts on decarbonizing the economy, reducing emissions, circularity, renewable energy, grid modernization, and enabling a just energy transition aiming to realize the Canada 2030 Emission Reduction Plan and achieve Net Zero by 2050. These big challenges drive the need for innovation today and into the future. NSERC's Mobilize grant will ensure NAIT's continued engagement in AR projects that are defined by their high impact. It will enable future partnerships with companies, non-profits and Indigenous enterprises, with over 600 anticipated partnerships by 2027. It will further endorse student involvement in research, engaging hundreds of students, and will be vital to sustain the ongoing success of NAIT's AR programs for the benefit of the economy and our communities. Mobilize funding will support this momentum and leverage our planned growth. In the next five years, NAIT will see the opening of a 5G Hub, Circular Economy and Industrial Wastewater research laboratories, and planned expansions of our Centres for Boreal Research and Culinary Innovation. We will continue to retain and recruit outstanding and unique talent, including additions in areas of growth such as Data Analytics, GIS, and Food Science. All centres will be supported through new business development and Indigenous liaison leads that will strengthen and increase engagement and partnerships. Interwoven throughout, NAIT will continue to train a diverse pool of students, maintaining a talent pipeline directly to meet workforce demands.