Polytechnics Canada has released a report on the economic impact of the applied research conducted at 13 Canadian polytechnics and institutes of technology. The report finds that every dollar invested in applied research generated a return on investment of anywhere between $8.09 to $18.49, and further notes that several social benefits have stemmed from this work, such as reductions in carbon emissions and improvements to public well-being. Polytechnics Canada highlights the importance of the applied research collaborations that polytechnics engage in–often with small- or mid-sized organizations–and their positive impact research and development capacity, competitiveness, and job creation. The report also asserts that polytechnics could significantly increase their contribution to the applied research ecosystem, rate of innovation, and productivity growth with additional support.
