Lethbridge College is among the recipients of new grant funding for research projects. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Province “investing in the future” with research, including at Lethbridge College

Jan 10, 2024 | 11:25 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta said it looks to “propel the province forward” with new funding for a variety of research projects.

It will invest $3.6 million through the Research Capacity Program, which helps to cover up to 40 per cent of the costs of equipment and facilities for research at post-secondary schools, non-profit organizations, and industries.

The money is in addition to $7 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish said Alberta’s researchers are already world-class, and that investments like this help to ensure the province remains a leader in technology and innovation.

“We’re making sure Alberta is the destination of choice for researchers, innovators and investors looking to bring new technologies to solve today’s biggest challenges – all while growing and diversifying our economy,” said Glubish.

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Lethbridge College is set to be one of the funding recipients. Through its Smart Irrigation Farm Project, researchers will create precision irrigation management strategies to maximize crop productivity and minimize water use in agriculture.

Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf said this work will be important as farmers have had to deal with droughts in recent years.

“Water and agriculture are critical to the economy and way of life in southern Alberta. Lethbridge College’s leadership in providing training on smart irrigation is a brilliant step towards a better future,” said Neudorf.

The other post-secondaries that will receive funding include:

• NAIT’s Boreal Research Project: Help Indigenous communities develop plant and seed technologies, forest reclamation, and peatland restoration.
• SAIT’s Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems Project: Develop heavy lift, remotely-piloted aircraft systems for beyond visual line-of-sight operations.
• SAIT’s Hydrogen and Energy Storage Technologies Project: Develop clean energy solutions in hydrogen energy and battery energy storage systems.

Since the inception of the Research Capacity Program in 1997, it has awarded more than $464 million to support over 800 projects at Alberta’s post-secondary schools.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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