Today, StatsCan released results about spending on R&D in the higher education sector.
In 2008/2009, spending went up 7.3% from the previous year to a total of $10.9 billion. About two-thirds of the R&D spending occurred in Ontario and Quebec, and most of the R&D that occurred got it’s funding from higher education institutes and/or the federal government. (Source.)
A lot of times, the people who do R&D in higher institutes have difficulties finding the right partner companies to bring their innovations to market – there can be great opportunity for Canadian manufacturers to work with people who do R&D in the higher education sector. There are many programs where companies and higher education areas can work together for the benefit of both parties. If you have never thought about this as an option, it may be something to consider.