“Our success is determined by the success of partners”
NAIT continues to build on its reputation as one of the nation’s top post-secondary drivers of applied research – innovation that makes a direct impact on industry and communities.
The recently released 2024 rankings of Canada’s Innovation Leaders, published annually by Research Infosource, placed the polytechnic third of 50 institutes.
The list highlights outstanding contributors to what its authors see as the country’s “global competitiveness in the knowledge economy.” NAIT is up five spots from 2023, for having secured $17.5 million in research funding through its Applied Research department.
The polytechnic also ranked second for the amount of research income per researcher, and fourth for research partnerships.
“Industry and communities are coming back again and again for services because they see value in what we do.”
“Applied research matters because it helps our industries drive innovation and also filters back into our programming,” says Peter Leclaire, NAIT’s vice-president academic. “The knowledge that's being created is transferred to our students.”
Dr. Olle Lagerquist, who oversees applied research as associate vice-president of Industry Solutions at NAIT, sees the impact of that knowledge in the strength of the department’s relationships with clients and partners.
“Industry and communities are coming back again and again for services because they see value in what we do,” says Lagerquist.
“Our success is absolutely determined by the success of our partners.”
Of the eight Alberta post-secondary institutes to make the list, NAIT ranked highest in the overall standings.
Here’s a recap of just a few of the year’s notable applied research projects:
Indigenous communities lead local environmental monitoring projects with NAIT’s help

Data will help strike a balance between sustainability and growth, and empower groups to influence conversations about projects that affect them.
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NAIT partners with startup to develop industrial batteries that use saltwater

Aqua-Cell’s unique technology could bolster reliability of the electricity grid with a made-in-Alberta, clean-energy storage solution.
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NAIT partners with Lakeland College for a safer, stronger bison industry

Remote sensing technology could play a role in improved production for Alberta ranchers.
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