The fundamental criteria for the development and success of applied research at RDC is to provide experience and learning opportunities for faculty, students and, where applicable, industry partners. Not all applied research therefore has to have commercial benefit, but notionally it should have at least a place in the classroom or lab where faculty and students can benefit from it.

The Office of Applied Research and Innovation will assist you with the development of project ideas, proposals or in nurturing  partnerships with other institutions, organizations and industry and where applicable, the development and protection of intellectual property. Our role is to assist and facilitate your ideas to help ensure successful outcomes. 

No idea is too big or too small, too difficult or too outlandish. If you are willing to stand behind it and be the driving or supporting force, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation can help you.

We do require that you make a confidential disclosure of your idea so that we are able to work with you to assess the novelty and intellectual property potential of the idea. This is an important first step to ensure that as little money, time and effort as possible is spent prior to determining the state of the art in the area that your idea exists. More importantly the assessment will determine if there is "prior art" that would otherwise defer or block the further development of your idea.

Want to learn more about intellectual property? This document from the legal firm of Border Ladner Gervais is an excellent start.

The Office can conduct technical and legal evaluations through our relationships with the Southern Alberta Intellectual Property Network (SAIPN). The Office can undertake, along with legal counsel, proper intellectual property evaluation and protection.

Through our provincial network of colleges and national network of institutions, both academic and applied research focused, the Office can help you find a research or financial partner to help execute your project idea.

Contact:

Eric Kokko
Director
t: 403.343.4070| e: eric.kokko@rdc.ab.ca