Ian Brindle, Rick Dykstra and Steven Hudson (Niagara College's Vice-President Academic) chat at the Nov. 12 announcement of the federal research funding.

Brock is excited by the applications it has received so far to do research for small and medium-sized companies. And there is still room for more applications.

The federal government’s Applied Research and Commercialization (ARC) program helps small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in Niagara partner with Brock to innovate and bring new products and processes to market.

Since the program was announced in November, Brock has already received submissions from outstanding homegrown companies. The companies specialize in knowledge-based industries such as biomanufacturing, applied health, and digital and interactive media.

And there is room for more.

“We’re pleased to be involved in this important venture, and we’re excited about the calibre of applications that we’ve received to date,” said Ian Brindle, Vice-President, Research. “We’re strongly encouraging eligible companies to apply for this program as there are still plenty of opportunities for firms here in Niagara and beyond to partner with our world-class researchers to help innovate their products and services.”

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario has provided up to $750,000 to the University for the overall program, which aims to include up to 15 projects at a maximum of $50,000 each. Companies selected to be part of the program are asked to provide $25,000 in cash or in kind.

Using these funds, Brock will offer research and development support services to SMEs in areas such as:

• product and process applied research
• engineering design
• technology development
• product testing
• piloting
• problem solving

The application form to apply for the ARC program is available on Brock’s website: brocku.ca/government-relations/research-and-commercialization

All projects will be identified, approved and initiated by March 31, 2011 and completed by March 31, 2012.