Algonquin College awarded $2.5 million for Bio-EARTH Applied Research platform
Posted on Thursday, August 20th, 2026
OTTAWA (Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026) – Algonquin College is proud to announce it has been awarded approximately $2.5 million in combined funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Ontario Research Fund (ORF).
Bio-EARTH (Environmental Applied Research and Technology Hub) is an emerging multi-disciplinary applied research platform, that brings together expertise from across the College in environmental science, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence and data analytics to address environment, biological and sustainability challenges.
“Bio-Earth represents an important investment in applied research and in the learners, faculty and community partners who will help translate new knowledge into practical solutions, “said Claude Brulé, President and CEO at Algonquin College. “By bringing together expertise from across disciplines, the platform will provide learners with valuable hands-on experience while supporting projects that deliver meaningful environmental, social and economic benefits.”
Bio-EARTH will provide a collaborative framework where researchers, students and external partners can work together on complex challenges that cross traditional boundaries. Potential areas of focus include environmental monitoring, ecosystem resilience to food-system innovation, biotechnology and climate adaptation.
“Some of the most important challenges facing our communities and industries do not fit neatly within a single discipline. Bio-EARTH allows us to bring environmental science, biotechnology, data, technology and applied research together to address those challenges. It also creates meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to practical solutions,” said Dr. Ian Zinck, Director, Applied Research at Algonquin College.
Housed within Pìwànak, the Algonquin Centre for Science and Innovation, the emerging Bio-EARTH platform will strengthen Algonquin College’s capacity for applied research, collaboration and innovation. The platform will enable researchers and partners to draw upon expertise and resources from across the College to develop integrated responses to increasingly interconnected environmental challenges.
The initiative builds on Algonquin College’s existing environmental and biological research activity and establishes a stronger foundation for future partnerships, infrastructure development, and externally-funded applied research programs.
To learn more about Applied Research at Algonquin College, please visit our Applied Research website.
-30-
For further information:
Meg Fraser
Communications Officer
Algonquin College
613-302-0138
fraserm2@algonquincollege.com
About Algonquin College
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in close to 170 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.