Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Receives Nearly $1 Million to Advance Innovation

Feb 27, 2025
Research technician using 3d printer

PrairiesCan is investing $899,500 into the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems (P2INACLE).

P2INACLE will drive social, economic and technological innovation across western Canada by providing businesses access to polytechnic facilities, equipment and research expertise. P2INACLE members include Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Northwestern Polytechnic, RRC Polytech and Saskatchewan Polytechnic—all leading polytechnic institutions located across the Canadian prairies. 

P2INACLE, led by Saskatchewan Polytechnic, will launch its first pilot with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) this spring. This pilot will bring together polytechnics and industry partners from across the prairies to develop a collaborative network that will fund and work on applied research projects. The goal is to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions for the mining and minerals sector in western Canada. 

“Success on the Prairies has always been built on cooperation. That’s why our government is supporting P2INACLE—a partnership bringing Prairie polytechnics together to turn research into practical solutions. By working together to tackle challenges in the mining sector and beyond, P2INACLE is driving economic growth, creating quality jobs, and setting a new standard for how applied research can empower communities far beyond the Prairies,” said the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister for PrairiesCan.

This partnership with IMII will promote cross-disciplinary collaboration focused on industry needs and solutions. Through P2INACLE, industry will also have increased access to high-quality personnel and trainees, facilitating the implementation of new innovations.

“We are excited to be part of the P2INACLE pilot project, a significant step forward in fostering innovation and collaboration within Western Canada’s mining and minerals sector,” says Al Shpyth, executive director of IMII. “This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements. We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”

IMII is a hub for expertise and innovation in Saskatchewan's minerals industry, driving change and creating solutions. With PrairiesCan support, P2INACLE researchers, along with IMII and their partners, will come together in Saskatoon, SK in March to launch the collaborative applied research network. In May, P2INACLE researchers will join mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to learn about the challenges faced by the mining industry. At this event P2INACLE members will team up with industry on various applied research projects.

“We are excited to join our partners across western Canada as part of the P2INACLE pilot project,” says Alicia Cafferata, Applied Research Specialist at Red Deer Polytechnic and RDP’s lead for the Prairie Polytechnic Network. “We look forward to contributing to P2INACLE through providing advanced manufacturing and energy innovation expertise, as well as equipment. We’re also excited to hire RDP students who will contribute to the success of these applied research projects. At RDP, we are always proud to collaborate with industry partners to advance economic growth, promote innovation and increase productivity across western Canada.” 

As one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Polytechnics and Colleges, Red Deer Polytechnic is committed to growing applied research in four areas of focus: Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing, Energy Innovation, Health Care and Health Technology, and Social Innovation. 

While applied research occurs across RDP, the institution’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) is a key on-campus applied research, teaching and learning facility. The CIM-TAC houses $7.6 million in prototype and advanced manufacturing equipment. Within the Centre, 57 projects were completed in 2023/2024, and the Centre acquired $15 million in investments and revenue. 

With a $12.9 million investment from the Government of Alberta, RDP’s CIM-TAC will expand during the next two years from 15,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet, increasing RDP’s applied research, education and training capacity. This expansion will support a range of sectors through advanced manufacturing capabilities.

P2INACLE acts as a catalyst for regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises and larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources. 

Learn More About Red Deer Polytechnic’s Applied Research and Innovation

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