Durham College says its Mixed Reality Capture (MRC) Studio has received a $1.75-million Technology Access Centre grant from the federal College and Community Innovation program, recognizing the studio as a national leader in extended reality innovation. The college announced the grant on October 30, 2026.
The funding provides $350,000 a year over five years to support the studio's work with industry partners developing immersive extended-reality solutions for training, simulation and workforce development, the college says.
While extended-reality technology is often associated with gaming and entertainment, the college says the studio applies it to advanced manufacturing, energy, defence and hazardous workplace simulation, helping organizations turn traditional learning materials into immersive, hands-on experiences.
"This recognition amplifies our reputation as a centre of excellence and shows potential clients that our teams are at the leading edge of the very advanced technologies that they're working with," said Debbie McKee Demczyk, the college's associate vice-president of innovation and research.
The grant complements $1.886 million the studio received earlier this year from the Canada Foundation for Innovation's College Fund and the Ontario Research Fund to build a state-of-the-art immersive research stage, the college says.
The MRC Studio is Durham College's second Technology Access Centre designation. The college's AI Hub also received Technology Access Centre funding in 2023.
Behind the story
Sources & publication details
- Byline
- Daily Durham News
- Published
- Nov 5, 2026, 9:06 a.m.
- Source
- durhamcollege.ca
