UNB and Talent Innovation Canada partner to accelerate research commercialization and talent development
Author: UNB Newsroom
Posted on Aug 14, 2026
Category: Press Releases
A new partnership between the University of New Brunswick and Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN) will help accelerate research commercialization in New Brunswick while creating new opportunities for UNB graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to tackle real-world industry challenges.
This partnership combines TICAN’s made-in-Canada model, which connects industrial innovation with academic expertise from UNB’s J. Herbert Smith Centre (JHSC), a longstanding leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology management.
Together, TICAN and JHSC will support industry-driven research projects that strengthen innovation in New Brunswick, while helping companies grow and bring new technologies and ideas to market.
Under the agreement, graduate students will match with New Brunswick companies working in sectors critical to Canada's economy, including mobility, biomanufacturing and life sciences, clean growth, microelectronics, and information and communications technologies.
Currently, participants must be enrolled in UNB’s Master of Technology Management and Entrepreneurship, and they will help advance technologies with strong commercial potential, gain valuable real-world experience, and strengthen connections between research and New Brunswick companies.
"This partnership creates a powerful bridge between research and industry," said Dr. Kathy Wilson, acting president and vice chancellor of UNB. "By connecting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with companies tackling real-world innovation challenges, we are helping to develop highly skilled talent, accelerate the commercialization of new technologies and strengthen New Brunswick's innovation economy."
“With TICAN, we are laying the groundwork for a national effort that unites Canada’s most research-intensive industries with exceptional graduate talent to accelerate advanced technology development.” said Arvind Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of TICAN. “We’re thrilled to partner with the University of New Brunswick to strengthen this momentum and reinforce the growing innovation capacity in New Brunswick and across the country.”
Interested students can contact entrepreneurship@unb.ca for eligibility requirements and additional information.
About Talent Innovation Canada
Talent Innovation Canada (TICAN) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing strategic R&D challenges by connecting industry with research talent to strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Through industry-driven graduate research partnerships, TICAN helps companies accelerate advanced technology development, commercialize intellectual property, and build long-term R&D capacity. At the same time, it develops a pipeline of highly skilled talent that strengthens Canada’s global competitiveness.
About UNB’s JHSC
UNB's JHSC programs immerse students in the world of product innovation, creative thinking, and technology management. Through experiential learning, pitching competitions, national conferences, and hands-on challenges, students develop the skills and experience needed to succeed as innovators and leaders. The centre's impact is reflected in the success of its graduates, with 97 per cent launching their own ventures, building careers in technology management, and research and development, or advancing within their organizations.
Media contacts
UNB - media@unb.ca
TICAN – aafarian@ticanada.ca