Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is receiving $1 million in infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
This funding was provided through the CFI’s College Fund and will help Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) acquire additional infrastructure and equipment to support applied research activities on the Olds College Smart Farm and work-integrated learning for students. The College Fund supports projects that enhance the capacity of Canadian colleges to carry out applied research and technology development and foster partnerships that generate innovative products, processes or services that address the social, business, health or environmental needs of a Canadian industry or community.
“We are pleased to receive this significant contribution from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support the Olds College Smart Ag Ecosystem,” said David Fullerton, Director of Applied Research at OCCI. “Having the infrastructure and equipment to incorporate applied research activities into farming operations allows us to support, develop and test smart agriculture technologies and practices on the Smart Farm. The Olds College Smart Ag Ecosystem is accelerating the progress and innovation needed to grow Canada’s ag industry.”
The funding Olds College is receiving is part of more than $18 million going toward 23 research infrastructure projects at 21 colleges across Canada.
“Our communities benefit from the partnerships Canadian colleges foster across public, industry and non-profit organizations,” said Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation. “CFI support helps bolster their capacity to conduct meaningful research that positions them to develop the innovative products, processes and services the country needs to stay competitive.”
Canada invests in research infrastructure and in the next generation of scientists
In December 2023, Olds College was ranked fourth in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges according to Research Infosource Inc. Olds College was also the gold recipient of the 2024 Applied Research and Innovation Excellence Award from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in April 2024.