Released on May 29, 2025
Today, Innovation Saskatchewan released Accelerating Innovation, Advancing Industry: Saskatchewan's Research Strategy. A new plan to position the province as a global leader in research and innovation. The strategy includes enhancements to two Innovation Saskatchewan programs, the Innovation & Science Fund (ISF) and the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI), to promote economic growth through research and innovation.
The announcement also introduced Innovation Saskatchewan's unified brand, which brings the agency's programs and supports under one identity and includes the renaming of Innovation Place to Innovation Saskatchewan Research and Technology (R+T) Parks in Regina and Saskatoon.
Together, these efforts reinforce the province's commitment to research, innovation and economic advancement for key sectors in support of Saskatchewan's 2030 Growth Plan Goals.
"Saskatchewan has a world-class research community that continues to build upon our reputation as a global innovation hub," Minister Responsible for Innovation Warren Kaeding said. "This new research strategy and unified brand align provincial supports and programs to unlock future opportunities, enhance creative impacts and excel Saskatchewan's ambitious growth plan target to triple the technology sector by 2030."
Saskatchewan's research strategy is built on three pillars of the innovation life cycle: Invent, Commercialize and Connect. By focusing support on these stages, the province aims to maximize impact through stronger access to talent, infrastructure, funding and global networks, while reducing barriers and risks.
The strategy targets sectors where Saskatchewan has established strengths or high growth potential, ensuring public investment delivers strong returns and tangible benefits for citizens. The four Research Priority Areas are Agriculture, Life Sciences, Energy and Mining and Critical Minerals.
"Saskatchewan's innovation ecosystem has provided unparalleled opportunities critical to LiORA's growth from training at top research universities to collaborations with unique research institutions to access to funding and global networks and partnerships," LiORA Co-Founder and CEO Steven Siciliano said. "Deepening this support will have a profound impact on our province and the world, pushing Saskatchewan even further to the forefront of innovation."
As part of the research strategy, Innovation Saskatchewan announced upcoming enhancements to Innovation and Science Fund (ISF) and Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI).
ISF will receive a $2.4 million annual increase, nearly doubling total funding to $5.2 million and will expand to support four key streams: research infrastructure, research projects, the broader research ecosystem and international collaboration.
STSI will extend eligibility status to life sciences startups, broadening investor access to the program's non-refundable 45 per cent tax credit for more Saskatchewan ventures.
"These joint, milestone announcements are a signal to the world that Saskatchewan is ready to lead in research, innovation and industry collaboration," Innovation Saskatchewan CEO Kari Harvey said. "By expanding key programs in a government-wide strategy and uniting our supports under a clear, cohesive brand, we are making it easier for researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to work together and deliver solutions with real impact - right here in Saskatchewan."
Saskatchewan's Research Strategy was announced during an event at the newly renamed Innovation Saskatchewan R+T Park Saskatoon, a symbolic backdrop for the province's renewed focus on collaboration, commercialization and global research leadership.
Explore the full strategy at researchSK.ca and discover Innovation Saskatchewan's new brand and digital experience at www.innovationsask.ca.
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