Applied Research Centre

To the heart of the matter.

Applied Research Centre lamp icon

The Langara College Applied Research Centre (ARC) assists local and regional businesses, not-for-profits, municipalities, and First Nations to solve their most pressing innovation challenges through groundbreaking research initiatives.

We provide professional in-house research and development staff, world-class facilities, and specialized instruments in a collaborative, team-based engagement that is tailored to the scope of your project and within the constraints of your time and money. By involving students in a hands-on way, we develop future industry leaders. And we take no ownership of generated intellectual property.

Our expertise.

Seaweed

Natural Products Innovation

Explore the world of possibilities latent in the materials produced by living organisms, including cannabis, hops, algae, fungi, and more. Leverage a broad range of platform technologies and expertise in the analysis and use of natural products. Develop instrumental methods and stability assays, conduct quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses, delve into genomics and metabolomics, or assay novel biotherapeutics in vitro.

DNA

Data Analytics and Bioinformatics

Apply computational and statistical techniques, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to analyze biological data and extract meaningful insights that enable advancements in genomics, personalized medicine, and our understanding of complex biological systems. Use data to describe, analyze, predict, and control complex systems. Access large-scale data transformations, warehousing, and querying.

Busy people

Social Innovation

Explore and interpret human culture, history, literature, philosophy, and the arts. Gather insights into the multifaceted aspects of human experience and expression through ethics-approved surveys, focus groups, and ethnographic studies. Address important social challenges, like homelessness and food security; make positive contributions to the health of the planet by applying the principles of sustainability within the circular economy; and rise to meet the challenges faced by the Indigenous peoples of Canada.

Why work with us

  • Solve your problem through tailored engagements.
  • Get objective advice.
  • Leverage non-dilutive funding.
  • Keep the generated IP.
  • De-risk your future hiring.
  • Lower your costs.
  • Optimize their research investments by leveraging ARC’s government funding.

$12.5 million in funding

Since 2016, ARC has attracted $12.5 million in funding for applied research programs and projects from a variety of federal, provincial, and private funders, including the BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF), Canadian Foundation of Innovation (CFI), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Mitacs, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

 

Our research and development services.

Capstone Projects

Engage a small team of dedicated upper-level students to work on your project at no cost under the supervision of a member of the faculty as a part of their required course work. Capstone projects begin three times a year – in January, May, and September – and may span more than one academic term. Currently, capstone projects are limited to bioinformatics, business, data analytics, and recreation management.

 

Limited Engagements

Do you have biological or chemical samples to analyze as proof-of-principle? A quick yes-or-no question to ask? Something that could be done within a week, given the right tools and expertise? We accept limited engagements on a rolling basis and may be able to help without any cost incurred to you.

Contract Research
Fee-for-Service Projects

Are you developing an analytical method or a biological assay? Are you assessing the cytotoxicity of a pharmaceutical candidate or conducting a permeability study? Are you targeting a six-week to three-month turnaround? We accept contract research projects on a rolling basis as resources allow.

Federally Funded Partnerships

Meet significant technical, business, or social challenges through a long-term, applied research partnership with Langara College over one to three years. We can bring expertise, instruments, students, and federal funding to develop solutions to your most important problems.

Who we serve.

Partners

Whether you are a for-profit corporation, a not-for-profit organization, a municipality, or a First Nation,the Applied Research Centre is committed to helping you solve real-world challenges and to advancing your technological, business, and societal goals.

Students

Students are at the heart of everything we do at Langara College. Applied research projects provide excellent opportunities for students to apply classroom learning in real-world contexts and to develop job-ready skills that make them attractive to future employers.

Faculty

The Applied Research Centre is committed to supporting Langara faculty in all phases of their applied research ambitions, from project ideation to funding, from ethics approval to partner liaison, and from hiring students to purchasing equipment.

Get real solutions.

Request a consultation