Research
and Innovation

Driving solutions for industry and communities

At NorQuest College, we work closely with industry and community partners to shape innovation, strengthen our communities, and create positive social impact in Edmonton and beyond.

Partnering with NorQuest means partnering with an organization that bolsters Alberta’s economy and builds partnerships of trust. We work with internal and external partners to create solutions that address their needs. Together, we are committed to making a true, lasting difference for our students, communities, and province.

Our impact 

  • A top-rated research college in Canada, recognized for excellence in applied research. 
  • Secured over $18.5 million in funding for research projects since 2020. 
  • In the 2023-24 fiscal year, we conducted 73 research projects with 89 collaborations with government, industry, and community organizations across Alberta and Canada. 
  • Home to three Research Chairs leading high-impact research programs and partnerships in key sectors.  

Build ethical applied research from the ground up

Design applied research projects that are ethical, inclusive, and robust. Gain practical tools and learn best practices through case studies and expert insights.

Explore the Workshops

Why work with us?

Whether you’re a start-up business, a community organization, or an established industry leader, we connect researchers and external partners with the funding and expertise needed to launch new projects and drive growth. Backed by experts and industry leaders, our expertise spans a range of research areas and methods. Read more about our research in:


To connect with researchers in these areas, reach out to our Applied Research team at AppliedResearch@norquest.ca or fill out the form below.

No matter what your challenge is, we can help you solve a problem, build a better process, evaluate your effectiveness, or develop a new tool in order to create a positive impact in your organization and community.

Research centres at NorQuest College 

Research and innovation are cross-college initiatives undertaken by both faculty and staff, aimed at addressing real-world challenges. Our research centres focus on specialized areas where we have long-established research services.

Learn more about each centre’s research activities:

Leaning into innovation 

NorQuest College prides itself on innovating the future. In addition to the research we do, we also support innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, we specialize in supporting innovators from equity-deserving communities.  

Whether it is starting a new business, prototype development, or commercializing something you’ve already created, we have experts who can help you navigate the path towards entrepreneurship, commercialization, and business development.  

To start your innovation journey, please fill out the form below or contact innovationstudio@norquest.ca. 

Recognizing Indigenous research sovereignty

NorQuest College is committed to truth, reconciliation, and redressing the harms that research has caused to Indigenous people. We acknowledge and respect Indigenous people’s right to Own, Control, Access, and Possess (OCAP®) research for and about them. To that end, all research by, for, with, and about Indigenous peoples and their land conducted by or at the college must be endorsed and supported by our Indigenous communities.

To help researchers understand these requirements, we have created the NorQuest Guidelines for Research with Indigenous Peoples. We also strongly encourage researchers to connect directly with and seek guidance from the Indigenous communities with which you work.

For any questions, please contact the Designated Research Administrator at research@norquest.ca.

News and upcoming events

Addressing conflicts of interest in research funding
Featured Event

Addressing conflicts of interest in research funding
  • June 27, 2025
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Edmonton
College-wide  

Interested in research? Join NorQuest Applied Research for part one of a five-part research series: Can you stay unbiased when industry money is involved? Tackle real-world ethics and protect your research credibility.

Ethically sound community-based research with Black and racialized communities
Featured Event

Ethically sound community-based research with Black and racialized communities
  • July 30, 2025
    12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  • Online
College-wide  

Curious about how to conduct research that truly respects and reflects diverse communities? Part two of NorQuest Applied Research’s five-part series dives into the ethical principles that guide research with historically marginalized communities.

Ensuring fairness and equity in participant recruitment and sampling
Featured Event

Ensuring fairness and equity in participant recruitment and sampling
  • August 28, 2025
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Edmonton
College-wide  

Who you include is your research. Part three of NorQuest’s five-part research ethics series dives into why inclusion isn’t just a step—it’s the foundation of ethical research design.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cost for an organization to do research with NorQuest College? Research is resource intensive but at NorQuest we don’t believe that the capacity to pay should limit someone’s ability to work with us. This is why we have developed a wide range of collaboration models. These range from you contracting us under a fee-for-service agreement to us partnering on grant applications to us undertaking a course-based project on your behalf. Whatever your financial situation, we can make it work.
I’m an external researcher and want to do research at NorQuest College. What steps do I need to take before starting a research project at the college?

Researchers external to NorQuest College who wish to undertake research at NorQuest College must receive ethics approval from their home institution, as well as administrative approval from NorQuest College, before proceeding. 

Here are the steps needed in making an application for approval at NorQuest College: 

  1. Ensure you have received ethics approval from your home institution. If external researchers are unable to get ethical approval from their home institution, contact NorQuest’s Designated Research Administrator at research@norquest.ca or 780.644.6006. 

  2. Once you have your ethics approval, contact NorQuest’s Designated Research Administrator at research@norquest.ca or 780.644.6006 and provide them with a copy of your ethics certificate and details of what you’d like to do. The administrator will then start the process of securing administrative approval. Depending on how your request impacts existing courses, projects, or resources, the college reserves the right to limit when and where you can conduct your research. If any such limitations are imposed, they will be explained to you by the administrator. You cannot begin your research at NorQuest College without administrative approval.

As a NorQuest staff member, how do I get involved in doing research?

NorQuest employees can get involved in research either through in-class or stand-alone projects. You can choose to do applied research, strategic research, institutional research, or a scholarship of teaching & learning project. 

The NorQuest Applied Research team is available to assist you through the planning and implementation of your project. If you would like to discuss an idea, set up a meeting with a team member by filling out the form below or contacting AppliedResearch@norquest.ca. 

The college’s designated Research Ethics Board reviews all NorQuest projects involving human participants. 

At this time, no research involving animals or medical research is permitted.

I’m a current NorQuest student. Is there an opportunity for me to become involved in research?

There are various opportunities for NorQuest students to take part in research. Students may take part in research that happens in class-based research projects. They may also have the opportunity to act as research assistants on stand-alone projects, work as research clerks in the Applied Research department, and even conduct a small research project themselves. 

If you are a NorQuest student and want to learn more about opportunities for you to take part in research, contact AppliedResearch@norquest.ca. 

Graduate students who wish to conduct research at NorQuest College are considered external researchers and should proceed with the external researcher process. 

Is NorQuest eligible to apply for grant funding, and who can I contact for more information? Yes! NorQuest is eligible to apply for all major research funding. For more information, please contact our Applied Research team at AppliedResearch@norquest.ca.
I have concerns about some research NorQuest College is doing. Who do I contact? At NorQuest College, we are committed to ensuring all of our research follows the Tri-Agency’s ethical standards and appreciate when concerns are brought forward. If you have concerns about any research affiliated with NorQuest College, please contact our Designated Research Administrator at 780.644.6006 or research@norquest.ca.
Where can I access your research policies?

You can access supporting documents by clicking on the links below:

What is NorQuest’s research data management strategy?

Research data management comprises the practices that guide the collection, documentation, storage, sharing, and preservation of research data throughout the lifecycle of a project.

At NorQuest, we are committed to meeting the requirements of the Tri-Agency policy and to supporting research of the highest standard. To learn more about our practices and goals, view our Research Data Management Strategy.

Research Support Fund 

Find out how the Government of Canada supports with the administrative costs of post-secondary research through its Research Support Fund.

Start your research project

Are you interested in starting a research project and partnership with NorQuest College? Fill in the form below, and a member of our research team will contact you as soon as possible.

You can also reach out directly to AppliedResearch@norquest.ca.

* Required fields
Privacy notice statement

The personal information collected on this web form will be used to contact you about applied research projects, partnerships, and updates . Collection is authorized under section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act and is managed in accordance with the Act. Questions about the collection and use of the personal information can be directed to the Designated Research Administrator, Research & Academic Innovation, 10230 108 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1L4. Email: research@norquest.ca. Telephone: 780.644.6006.