(Red Deer Polytechnic/Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Colleges and polytechnics

RDP and Olds College ranked among top 50 research institutions in Canada

Dec 4, 2025 | 5:17 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic and Olds College have been recognized as two of the top research institutions in Canada.

This week, Red Deer Polytechnic was ranked 31st overall, and Olds College was ranked 20th among the top 50 research colleges and polytechnics nationwide, as published by Research Infosource Inc.

“We are honoured to be recognized nationally for the strength and growth of our multi-disciplinary, collaborative applied research,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Applied Research, Red Deer Polytechnic. “This achievement underscores RDP’s commitment to advancing innovation and creating meaningful impact, addressing industrial and societal challenges while driving economic prosperity across Alberta and Canada.”

Red Deer Polytechnic made the jump from 43rd overall last year. RDP brought in over $4.6 million in applied research investment in 2024, which is an increase of 93 per cent from last year. This puts RDP third in research income growth among colleges and polytechnics.

The institution also ranked fifth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Partnerships (eight) and fifth in AI Completed Research Projects (six).

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“Being ranked among Canada’s Top 50 Research Polytechnics and Colleges underscores the impact of Red Deer Polytechnic’s industry-focused applied research activity,” said Stuart Cullum, President, RDP. “As a polytechnic focused on economic and social development, our institution will continue to grow its applied research capacity and activity, to enhance the productivity of Alberta’s key industries, while providing an enriched learning experience for our students.”

Applied research at RDP is anchored by its flagship facilities with the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing – Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) and the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).

The CIM-TAC, which houses $7.6 million in advanced manufacturing equipment, completed 47 projects with 54 companies and had 1,757 engagements with business and industry partners during 2024-25.

RDP’s CIM-TAC is set ot expand from 15,000 to 25,000 square feet thanks to a $12.9 million investment from the Government of Alberta. This expansion will support a range of sectors through advanced manufacturing capabilities, including agriculture, energy innovation and healthcare.

For the full list of the top 50 institutions, head to researchinfosource.com.