Research at Conestoga creates practical solutions that address real-world challenges
We work with industry and community partners to develop innovative products, improve processes, and support informed decision-making. Through applied research, technology development, and knowledge transfer, our research teams help businesses grow, strengthen communities, and build a better future.
In 2024, Conestoga ranked as one of the top 20 research colleges in Canada by engaging with 175 industry and community partners, 177 active projects, and hiring 251 students.
Centres, labs, and institutes
Research impact
Embedding strengths-based learning in career development for trades students
Examining the link between inflation and mental health in the KWC region
Exploring food, belonging, and community through narrative with international students
Announcements
Conestoga awarded $50,000 from OAFRI to develop novel XR sanitation training for food processors
Through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative’s Knowledge Translation and Transfer stream, Conestoga has received funding to support the development of an extended reality (XR) training tool focused on sanitation practices in food processing environments. Led by the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab, this project aims to enhance knowledge transfer using immersive technology to improve food safety training across the sector.
Conestoga awarded $120,000 from NSERC to expand on shared equity housing research
In partnership with Ourboro, a company that co-invests in homes with buyers in exchange for a share of future value, this research will build on existing projects exploring the shared equity ownership model. In this phase, the Conestoga Social Innovation Lab and Ourboro will assess the product’s impact on customers’ lives and gather feedback to refine the model for broader reach.
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Centre for Commercialization receives $422,000 from IPON
Conestoga’s Centre for Commercialization (C4C) has received over $400,000 in funding from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to expand their support for businesses across the region.
This funding will also expand on the partnership between Conestoga College, Durham College, and Sheridan College.
With this funding, C4C will be able to continue expanding on their existing programs that support IP strategy and support, education and training, and commercialization services.
Conestoga part of $47.5 million investment from FedDev
As part of a $47.5 million investment from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Waterloo's Communitech, in partnership with Conestoga College, will continue to offer regionally tailored programming for entrepreneurs to help their businesses succeed locally and globally through the Scale-Up Platform program. Read more
Conestoga among coalition awarded $23 million to expand Invention to Innovation network
Conestoga will expand training opportunities for science innovation with a share of new funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Lab to Market program to expand the award-winning Invention to Innovation program suite, which provides innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship training in STEM and health-care fields. Read more
Conestoga ranked among Canada's top research colleges
Conestoga placed among the Top 20 research colleges in Canada for the sixth consecutive year in the annual rankings by Research Infosource, the leading source of research and development intelligence in Canada. Conestoga ranked 19 out of 50 colleges in 2024 and was among the Top 10 in several key categories, demonstrating the college's commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, faculty and partners in the community and industry. Read more
