Frequently asked research questions

• 1. What is the university’s research mandate?

  Our research mandate centres on conducting outcome-focused, multidisciplinary research and development that addresses social, environmental, health and economic challenges. 

  In addition, relevant research with community and industry applications provides the foundation for the strategic direction of our research endeavours.

  Ontario Tech University Strategic Research Plan

• 2. What are the university's strategic research and training priorities?

  We focus on results-driven research that produces tangible benefits in six areas: 

  • Advanced Manufacturing for 21st-Century Innovation
  • Education for the 21st Century
  • Energy and the Environment
  • Human Health and Community Wellness
  • Information and Communication Technology and Informatics
  • Life Sciences and Biotechnology

   Detailed information is available in the 2020-2025 Strategic Research Plan.

• 3. How do students contribute to research?

  Our unique learning environment enables undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to participate in research. Students work alongside faculty researchers, and industry and community partners to develop the skills and abilities required to become the research leaders of tomorrow. This includes:

  • Industry-relevant software and technology skills.
  • Research methodology.
  • Critical thinking and analysis.
  • Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

  Students also have access to a variety of research opportunities, including the Undergraduate Research Awards, MITACs and the Undergraduate Student Research Fellowships. Graduate research is also available through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

• 4. How does the university connect its research mandate to the community?

  We host and sponsor many conferences, competitions, lecture series and outreach programs each year to interact with our community and to generate interest in our ongoing research. For example: 

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) camps provide children with the opportunity to participate in nature adventures, daily outdoor activities, science experiences and engineering challenges.
  • Science Rendezvous: a full-day event that promotes the importance of science to young learners. A Canada-wide science and technology exposition, Science Rendezvous engages parents and their children in discovery-related events, mini-workshops, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. The event aims to demystify science and to foster early engagement that will potentially lead to increased enrolment in science and technology education.
  • The Engineering Robotics Competition: promotes engineering to hundreds of high school students, giving teams seven weeks to build a robot using a LEGO Mindstorm NXT and EV3 system kits for challenge in a 'SumoBot' competition.
  • Sci-Tech Ontario: the umbrella organization that oversees the planning and organization of 35 Ontario Regional Science Fair competitions. We are an exclusive university sponsor.
  • Intel International Science Fair: in partnership with Intel Inc. and Genome Canada, we are the exclusive university sponsor of Team Canada, the country-wide science fair winners.
  • Durham Regional Science Fair: held each spring on campus by the faculties of Science, and Engineering and Applied Science. Local students have a unique opportunity to showcase their talents with the fair recognizing excellence in the physical, biological and engineering sciences. Held in partnership with Sci-Tech Ontario.
  • Undergraduate Research Awards Recognition Event: an event that takes place every August to bring Ontario Tech University's undergraduate students together to present and discuss the research projects they have worked on with faculty supervisors throughout the year, is open to our local community to interact with student researchers and learn about research activities on campus.
  • Our Research Excellence Awards recognizes faculty members who have achieved national and/or international success and recognition through their research activities, and who have enhanced Ontario Tech University's reputation as a research-focused institution. Community members are welcome to attend the annual presentation.
  • The President's Futures Forum is an annual event held at Ontario Tech University. It is an initiative to support and build on the university's broad base of work by synthesizing an institutional perspective and voice on current and future public-policy matters that relate to the university's academic, research and innovation activities as well as the university's sustainability.  Community members are encouraged to attend. For more information contact researchpartnerships@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Classroom and community group visits: we connect with the younger community with university outreach volunteers to hands-on/minds-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning activities to youth.
• 5. How can I start a collaboration with the university?

  Interested in partnering with us on a research project? We’d love to hear from you. 

  Visit the Experts Centre, which lists our researchers and their areas of expertise. You can also email researchpartnerships@ontariotechu.ca to connect with the most appropriate Research Partnerships member who can explain our collaboration process.
• 6. How is research funded?

  University researchers have access to provincial and federal grants to support their research ideas.  

  Since the launch of the Office of Research Services in September 2003, our external research funding has increased significantly with the university attracting more than $25.5 million in funding in FY2021-2022.

  Many of the grant programs are aimed at promoting research collaborations between university faculty/students and external partners. For more information about Funding Opportunities, visit our Internal Funding and External Funding pages.

• 7. How can I find a faculty expert?

  Visit the Expert Centre to search for an expert by keyword or faculty or contact researchpartnerships@ontariotechu.ca to learn more about our exciting research.

• 8. Who can I contact for further information about research at the university?

  Visit our Contact Page to find the appropriate Vice-President, Research and Innovation team member or email research@ontariotechu.ca.

• 9. Who can I contact for media inquiries?

  The Communications and Marketing department co-ordinates all media inquiries. Email communications@ontariotechu.ca for assistance.