Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society

What Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society does

Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society (GIEMS) is a non-profit research and development institute established in 2025 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, as an equal three-way partnership among the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Conceived at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023 and formally incorporated in 2025, the institute operates as a coordination hub that connects academia, industry, provincial and federal government, and Indigenous communities across Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 to advance research, innovation, and training in the energy transition, mineral development (notably uranium and potash), and nuclear energy (including Small Modular Reactors). Its primary operating mandate is to expand Saskatchewan-led research capacity in alignment with the Saskatchewan Growth Plan.

GIEMS does not develop proprietary technology products. Its value is delivered by coordinating the combined research infrastructure, faculty talent, and applied research programs of its three founding institutions and external partners. The institute's deliverable categories are energy transition research and innovation services, minerals development support focused on uranium and potash, nuclear research collaboration management (including SMRs, advanced reactor systems, and radioactive waste management), and project/portfolio management services such as coordinated multi-institutional funding applications and research chair administration. Current staff consists of an Executive Director (Tom Kishchuk) and an Operations Manager (Meghan McLaughlin), with governance provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Dr. Terry Fonstad of the University of Saskatchewan and including senior representation from all three founding institutions.

Revenue is generated almost exclusively through government funding, coordinated research grants, and in-kind contributions from partner institutions rather than through commercial product sales. The Government of Saskatchewan has committed CAD $780,000 to establish and support operations as of October 2025. GIEMS pursues a community-led go-to-market motion centered on convening partners, hosting events such as the UPLift Conference, participating in international forums such as COP28 and the World Future Energy Summit, and operating a digital presence at giems.ca. Recent international engagement includes trilateral MoUs with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and the Saskatchewan Research Council (signed January 16, 2026), a Joint Working Group with the Philippines Department of Energy (convened February 24, 2026), and collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency on Canada's first Executive Nuclear Energy Management School (scheduled June 8-13, 2026).

Name

Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society

Legal name

Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society Inc.

Website

https://giems.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GIEMS is a non-profit research and development institute in Saskatoon, Canada, coordinating energy transition, critical minerals, and nuclear research across three founding academic institutions, industry, government, and Indigenous communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Development Coordination Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Metal Mining (1000)

akta.pro primary industry

Minerals, Mining & Geologic Resources Administration (BPAIAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

EIA/ESIA Documentation & Technical Studies (Air/Water/Noise/Traffic) (EUAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Energy transition research
• Minerals development research
• Nuclear research collaboration
• Research coordination services
• Workforce training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saskatoon

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: GIEMS receives government funding to support its operations and research coordination activities. The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $780,000 to establish and support GIEMS operations. Additional funding comes from research grants and coordinated funding applications.
2. Partnership Contributions: As a non-profit institute with equal partnership from three post-secondary institutions, GIEMS operates through shared resources and coordinated institutional contributions. Revenue is generated through aligned institutional efforts and provincial, national, and global priority projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GIEMS is a non-profit research and development institute that coordinates research, innovation, and training programs across energy transition, minerals development (uranium and potash), and societal considerations. It acts as a central collaboration hub connecting post-secondary institutions, industry, government, and Indigenous communities, coordinating large-scale funding applications and research portfolios to advance Saskatchewan's role in the global energy transition.

Product overview

GIEMS is a non-profit research and development institute established in 2025 as an equal partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan. It operates as a central collaboration hub—not a single product—with services spanning energy transition research, minerals development (uranium and potash), nuclear research coordination, and project/portfolio management. Rather than providing a unified software product, GIEMS functions as a convening body that coordinates research, innovation, and training programs across academia, industry, government, and communities to advance Saskatchewan's role in the global energy transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Energy Transition Research and Innovation Coordination GIEMS coordinates research, innovation, and training programs that advance clean and practical energy solutions, connecting academia, industry, and government to expand capacity and impact in energy transition.
• Minerals Development Support GIEMS supports critical resources development for uranium and potash, helping position Saskatchewan as a global leader in minerals and energy solutions through coordinated research and training.
• Nuclear Research Collaboration Services GIEMS provides a framework for collaboration in nuclear energy research, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), advanced reactor technologies, radioactive waste management, workforce development, and digital tools including AI and robotics for civil nuclear operations.
• Project and Portfolio Management Services GIEMS coordinates large-scale funding applications and supports research chair programs, ensuring activities are coordinated across institutions to expand provincial research capacity and align with provincial, national, and global priorities.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Department of Energy (DOE) of the PhilippinesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Philippines DOE and Province of Saskatchewan convened a Joint Working Group meeting on February 24, 2026 to advance their June 2025 MOU on clean energy transition and nuclear workforce development. GIEMS participates as the Saskatchewan implementing partner.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026IAEA is cooperating with the University of Saskatchewan to host Canada's first Executive Nuclear Energy Management School from June 8-13, 2026. GIEMS is involved in this initiative to bring senior Canadian and international leaders for nuclear energy infrastructure, regulatory readiness, and SMR training.
• Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026ENEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GIEMS and Saskatchewan Research Council on the margins of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. The agreement focuses on Small Modular Reactors, advanced reactor systems, operational performance, and digital tools including AI and robotics for civil nuclear operations. It supports knowledge exchange and workforce development while extending the value of UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant experience through international cooperation.
• Saskatchewan Research CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026SRC partnered with ENEC and GIEMS to advance cooperation in nuclear research, development, and capacity building. The trilateral MoU focuses on SMRs, advanced reactor technologies, nuclear plant efficiency, radioactive waste management, workforce development, technology transfer, and AI/robotics applications in nuclear technologies.
• Saskatchewan PolytechniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025One of three founding equal partners in GIEMS. Contributes applied research expertise, work-integrated learning programs informed by industry needs, and helps train the workforce of tomorrow in energy and mineral sectors.
• University of ReginacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025One of three founding equal partners in GIEMS. Contributes research enterprise and expertise, promotes interdisciplinary perspectives ensuring social innovations are developed alongside technical solutions for sustainable energy future.
• University of SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025One of three founding equal partners in GIEMS. Contributes world-class research and teaching expertise, infrastructure, and leadership to advance energy transition and mineral development research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC): Provincial research and technology organization operating advanced nuclear (SMR) and minerals laboratories in Saskatchewan. Direct peer and active partner of GIEMS: both target nuclear R&D, critical minerals, and workforce development in the province.
• Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN): Canadian cleantech innovation network connecting energy startups, researchers, and investors. Comparable to GIEMS in operating as a pan-Canadian convening hub for energy innovation and funding coordination, though CRIN's focus is broader cleantech rather than minerals.
• Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI): Canadian mining innovation hub coordinating industry, academia, and government research to advance sustainable mining. Highly comparable to GIEMS in mandate (mining/energy research coordination) and structure (multi-stakeholder, applied R&D focus), though GIEMS adds nuclear/society dimensions.
• Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA): Network driving commercialization of mining innovation in Canada through industry-academic collaboration. Comparable as an emerging coordinating body for mining R&D and innovation, with a similar community-led GTM motion as GIEMS.
• Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation: Saskatchewan-based nuclear research and innovation centre based at the University of Saskatchewan. Highly comparable to GIEMS: both are Saskatchewan-anchored, USask-affiliated, and focused on advancing nuclear energy research, training, and innovation, including the Fedoruk Centre's prior involvement of GIEMS's Executive Director.

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Nuclear Association: National industry association representing the nuclear sector in Canada. Comparable to GIEMS in convening nuclear stakeholders and shaping policy, but operates at the federal industry-association level rather than as a provincial research institute.
• Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR): Canada-based advanced research organization convening researchers across disciplines and institutions. Comparable in operating as a multi-institutional coordination vehicle for high-level research programs, though CIFAR's scope is broader and pan-disciplinary.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): UN system international nuclear energy and safety organization. Active partner of GIEMS (co-hosting Canada's first Executive Nuclear Energy Management School). Comparable in advancing nuclear workforce, regulatory readiness, and SMR training globally.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): Federal department driving critical minerals strategy, clean energy, and Indigenous reconciliation in resource development. Comparable to GIEMS as a major funder/convener in Canadian minerals and energy research, though at federal scale rather than provincial.
• Canadian Critical Minerals and Mining Innovation Council: Canadian Mining Association's innovation and policy arm advancing critical mineral supply chains. Comparable to GIEMS in coordinating industry, government, and research for minerals development, though MAC operates as a national industry association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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