A big milestone for Southeast College was announced Friday afternoon. The school was given full institutional eligibility for funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The three are funding and grant programs administered by the federal government. 

The move to receive eligibility for grants from these institutions was spearheaded by the college’s Vice President of Professional Training and Continuing Studies, Jody Holzmiller. It required a rigorous application process. In a written release issued Friday, Holzmiller emphasized that eligibility will help with access to funding resources, as well as partnership opportunities with industries and other post-secondary institutions.  

The President and CEO of Southeast College, Dr. Vicky Roy, was excited to see the eligibility be granted. 

“This is a significant milestone for a rural college in our region, and we are eager to witness further advancements in the field of applied research,” Roy explained in the release. “Acquiring Tri-Agency Institutional Eligibility funding signifies a great deal for our college and the southeast region, firmly placing us on the funding and applied research map.” 

The CIHR is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency, with support being provided for health research in four areas: biomedical, clinical, health systems services and population health. The NSERC funds those who are looking into possible scientific and technical breakthroughs for scientists and engineers. The SSHRC provides funding for research and training in the humanities and social sciences.  

The college, which recently established a Centre for Sustainable Innovation, will be able to apply for funding for research in creating new knowledge and applications, nurturing skilled human resources, facilitating student involvement and fostering peer review. The leader of the centre, Darcy Nolte, who is also the college’s Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Development, said the full institutional eligibility status ensures that funded applied research will meet the highest standards of excellence.