Extended Education

Micro-certificate in Applied Innovation: From Ideas to Impact

Prepare to become a changemaker. Explore your unique ability to turn ideas into action with the University of Manitoba’s first innovation micro-certificate. Learn the tools to start a new initiative, take a new approach, or build on traditional wisdom and knowledge to make an impact. Practice innovation and work with peers from all faculties, disciplines, and levels of education. 

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A group brainstorming session with a man writing on a transparent board covered in diagrams and notes while three colleagues watch attentively.

  • icon award

    Credential

    • Micro-certificate

  • icon graduate

    Program length

    • 3 courses (72 contact hours)

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    Program features

    • For UM students
    • Part-time
    • Blended format combining online (asynchronous and synchronous) and in-person sessions

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    Program fees

    • No cost to UM students

  • A group of people collaborating around a table covered with colorful sticky notes and papers, with a laptop displaying charts in the background. The scene highlights teamwork and brainstorming, emphasizing idea organization and planning through visual aids and active discussion.

    Complement your studies

    Earn an additional credential to complement your university studies. Gain innovation skills and practical experience. Identify opportunities and solve problems by taking purposeful action.

  • A collaborative office setting with people engaged in discussion and work around a large table covered with papers, blueprints, and office supplies, highlighting teamwork and creative brainstorming.

    Practice innovation

    The power of innovation is here for you. Think big and learn what it takes to be successful. Practice curiosity. Look at the world from your unique point of view. Work with a variety of peers from various disciplines and levels of education. Use your new skills to make an impact.

  • A diverse group of colleagues is collaborating around a table covered with colorful sticky notes, markers, and coffee cups, suggesting a brainstorming or planning session.

    Be an innovator

    Learn how to solve real-world problems on an interdisciplinary team. Consider desirability, feasibility, and viability of your ideas. Identify challenges, explore potential solutions and evaluate which approaches are most effective.

Program details

This program is currently for UM students, in addition to their studies. Offered in partnership with IDEA START at no cost to the learner thanks to a donation from Dr. Gerry Price, CEO of Price Group of Companies.
Idea Start logo

Credential: Micro-certificate in Applied Innovation: From Ideas to Impact

Fees: No cost to the learner 

Expected duration: Minimum of one year

Program objectives are to:

  • Complement existing innovation and entrepreneurial offerings across the University, inspiring learners to pursue further learning at the University and beyond.
  • Make change happen in many ways across all sectors, from developing new commercial or social programs, processes, partnerships, or through activism, to creating new products and technologies.
  • Strengthen learner skills in idea generation, problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, and adaptability, in addition to communication and collaboration when launching a project, product, service, or program.
  • Learn from and engage with real-world innovators and changemakers and collaborate with participants from other disciplines.
  • Encourage learners to view challenges from diverse perspectives and consider how they might contribute across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries.

Program Courses

Determine the courses you will need to complete this program.

Required courses

Course number/outlineCourse nameContact hoursTerm(s) offered
EEAS 0168Foundations in Applied Innovation24Fall 2026
EEAS 0170Methods and Practice in Innovation24Winter 2027
EEAS 0172Applied Project in Innovation24Summer 2027

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How to apply

Foundations in Applied Innovation will be offered from October 26 to December 15, 2026.
This first course in the Micro-certificate in Applied Innovation: From Ideas to Impact is for UM students and will be offered in a blended format combining online (asynchronous and synchronous) and in-person sessions. You will be invited to continue the program after you have completed the first course.

Applications are open from August 24 to September 28, 2026.
Applicants will be advised if they are eligible for the course, and contacted if they are selected to participate. To select participants, a lottery-based system is used to avoid first-come, first-served admission practices that privilege those with access to time and technology. Those who are not selected will be added to a waitlist for a future session.

Learn more about the program

What you notice about the world from your world view doesn’t occur to others. This puts you in the perfect position to be an innovator… With this program, all of the power of innovation is here for you.

Lindsey Poggemiller

Lindsay Poggemiller, Content Provider, Micro-certificate in Applied Innovation: From Ideas to Impact

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Contact us

Extended Education
185 Extended Education Complex
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

extended@umanitoba.ca
204-474-8800
Toll free: 1-888-216-7011