RDP receives $1.75 million grant for Innovation in CIM-TAC

Jul 9, 2025 | 4:18 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic announced Wednesday that they’ve received a $1.75 million grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The institution has also renewed their Technology Access Centre designation to continue advancing applied research through the Polytechnic’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC).

“At RDP, we are grateful for this NSERC funding which will continue to position our institution as a leader in providing cutting-edge technology, equipment and expertise in the CIM-TAC to help solve industrial and societal challenges,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Red Deer Polytechnic. “This funding and extended TAC designation will help increase our applied research capacity and productivity in communities across Alberta.”

The Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing was established as a Technology Access Centre in 2020 and has become an important piece of Alberta’s innovation ecosystem because of applied research, product, and process development taking place, RDP notes.

The CIM-TAC helps to increase the accessibility of research and development to small and medium-sized enterprises.

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The grant will contribute to the ongoing development of technology and equipment and ways that faculty, staff and students can support entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality.

The Polytechnic’s CIM-TAC drives innovation and prepares students to excel as leaders in the workforce.

Within the centre, students get to use state-of-the-art technology and equipment to participate in work-integrated learning opportunities. They also contribute to a variety of applied research projects with industry partners. These experiences position students to meet the evolving needs of industry and communities.

Last year, staff within the polytechnic’s CIM-TAC, which houses $7.6 million in technology and equipment, engaged with 69 companies and organizations, and attracted $15 million in investments and revenue.

The Government of Alberta invested $12.9 million into CIM-TAC, which is scheduled for construction to expand to 25,000 square feet.

This expansion will provide opportunities for approximately 3,000 learners to engage in education, training and applied research.

by rdnewsNOW staff

RDP receives $1.75 million grant for Innovation in CIM-TAC

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