Companies looking to build innovative technologies, capitalize on expertise and solve businesses challenges have new resources to help them work with Canada’s post-secondary institutions. Released by the Business/Higher Education Roundtable (BHER), the Guide to Research Partnerships with Canada’s Colleges and Polytechnics and Guide to Research Partnerships with Canada’s Universities outline the practical steps businesses can take to create mutually beneficial agreements with post-secondary institutions.

“In a time of rapid technological acceleration and competitive global markets, research partnerships are a significant way businesses can leverage post-secondary capabilities,” said Anne Sado, President of George Brown College and one of BHER’s co-chairs.

Designed to be open-sourced and customizable by individual schools, the guides contain:

• Advice on approaching institutions about an agreement;
• Lists of common terms;
• Case studies of successful partnerships;
• Examples of a research partnership agreement; and
• Frequently-asked questions.

“Our goal when developing these guides was that above all else, they need to be practical,” said Meric Gertler, President of the University of Toronto and chair of BHER’s research partnerships working group. “By providing a pathway to starting a partnership, we hope more businesses and post-secondary institutions will tackle the challenges of the future together.”

Developed in partnership with Polytechnics Canada and the U15 Group of Research Universities, the guides are an initiative of BHER’s research partnerships working group.

About the Business/Higher Education Roundtable

Composed of leaders from the private sector, universities, colleges and polytechnics, BHER works to support students as they transition from education to the workplace, strengthen research collaboration between industry and institutions, and help Canadian employers as they adapt to the economy of the future. Learn more at bher.ca.