RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

By partnering with U of T Engineering, you add value to your research, drive technology development and commercialization, and maximize your impact.

Partnering with Canada’s #1 engineering school also brings unparalleled access to a rich ecosystem of more than 10,000 research, teaching and clinical faculty members across the University of Toronto.

The collaborative research process 

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to research partnership. Whether you’re looking to solve a specific technical problem or create a new technological capability, U of T takes a flexible approach to working with industry.  

Partners often begin the process of working with us by considering factors such as objectives, challenges, timelines, budget and IP needs. No matter where you are in defining your parameters or vision for future research collaboration, our team is happy to discuss your needs at any point in the process. 

Graphic illustrating points: Consider your objectives, define your challenges, think about your timeline, reflect on budget, determine your IP needs

Why collaborate with us? 

Access our experts

U of T Engineering is home to 25+ engineering research hubs across our six Innovation Clusters. Each cluster represents a breadth and depth of excellence and expertise: 

Maximize your ROI 

Your investment goes further when you partner with us. Did you know that every dollar you invest toward the direct cost of research at U of T Engineering can be multiplied several times over?  

We leverage financial support from industry with federal, provincial and matching programs to enable millions of dollars in industry-partnered research every year. 

“One of the key things Hatch is known for is bridging the gap between research and commercial operations. Having a close linkage with U of T has been an important part of that journey."

Global Director, Nuclear, Hatch

Common collaborative research models  

Single project 

  • Investigator-led projects that range from six months to a few years 
  • Varying budgets based on the nature, scope and timeline of work 
  • Many of these opportunities qualify for additional funding support 

 

McEwen Mining partnered with U of T Engineering to apply advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to their operations. 

“Our UAV project with U of T has provided us access to world-class aerospace and mining expertise. We moved quickly from lab-scale experiments to field trials at our mine in Mexico.”
- Managing Director – Innovation, McEwen Mining 

Multi-project framework 

  • Companies may engage with numerous researchers on distinct projects over a longer period 
  • Provides pre-defined contractual terms for all projects — only particulars for each project need to be negotiated 
  • A streamlined approach for companies that want to work closely with U of T on several projects  

 

Fujitsu Labs Ltd. entered a multi-project framework agreement with U of T, yielding its first Canadian R&D centre, several patents, more than 30 joint research papers and more. 

“Fujitsu’s continued collaboration with this world-leading institution further strengthens and catalyzes our ability to produce research innovations.”
- President, Fujitsu Laboratories 

Contact U of T Engineering's Partnerships Team

Interested in partnering with U of T Engineering but not sure where to start? Contact a member of the team to discover opportunities for collaboration and explore next steps:  

adriano-vissa

Adriano Vissa, PhD
Executive Director, Partnerships

adriano.vissa@utoronto.ca

danielle-dawson

Danielle Dawson, MA
Strategic Research Development Officer

danielle.dawson@utoronto.ca

sindhu-menon

Sindhu Menon, PhD
Partnership Development Officer

sindhu.menon@utoronto.ca