Research & Innovation Services

Research Partnership Agreements
Research Partnership Agreements (RPAs) build three-way links between the private sectors, researchers in National Research Council (NRC) institutes and universities. The main objective of RPAs is to further promote the existing Research and Developmental (R&D) capacity in universities and NRC institutes and by doing so, bring forth new knowledge in areas that are required to meet economic, industrial, social and environmental needs. Designed for Canadian Universities and Colleges, RPAs provide funding to groups and projects that belong to small- and medium-sized industry partners in the fields of Biotechnology, Construction technology, Information and Telecommunications technology, Engineering (aerospace technology), Manufacturing technology and Molecular Science.
For additional information see:
Industry Canada: Research Partnership Agreements

Going Global Innovation (GGI) 
Going Global Innovation (GGI) is the innovation, science, and technology component of the Global Commerce Support Program (GCSP). The purpose of GGI is to further Canada's international innovation by entering into beneficial collaborative opportunities with key players in other countries. This fund is available to private small- and medium- sized enterprises, universities, and non-governmental research centres. GGI funds provide up to 75% of eligible project costs.
For additional information see:
Going Global Innovation (GGI) Handbook

Industrial R&D Fellowship Program
The Industrial R&D Fellowship Program (IRDF) is an initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This fellowship enables organizations to hire a postdoctoral researcher for a two-year long period for undertaking a project or projects of importance to the organization. IRDFs are awarded to Canadian-owned private, non-profit, and non-governmental research facilities or organizations. To qualify, the proposed projects must be based on technology derived from natural sciences and engineering (excluding clinical research and health sciences). The candidates hired by the organizations are also considered for future long-term employment.
For additional information see:
Invest in Ontario: Industrial R&D Fellowship Program - NSERC 

Strategic Network Grant Program (SNG) 
Strategic Network Grants (SNG) program is funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The goal of SNG is to increase participation of Canadian companies and/or government-based organizations that are suitably positioned to strengthen Canada's economy, industrial base, create employment and/or positively impact Canadian public policy within the next ten years. SNG funds large-scale, multi-disciplinary research projects for the duration of 5 years in areas that require a network approach and collaboration between national-based organizations and academic researchers. Partnerships in foci outside of natural sciences and engineering and international collaborations are encouraged.  The Strategic Networks can be local, regional or national.

There are three application categories set by NSERC:

• The engagement of the proposed network in research activities that have never been funded via the NSERC's SNG program, a Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) grant, or other federal or provincial network-scale granting programs
• The engagement of the proposed network in research activities in areas that have been previously funded through SNG, NCE, federal or provincial network-scale granting programs. Conditions apply to this category
• The engagement of the proposed network in research activities on aspects of an area that have been previously funded through SNG, NCE, federal or provincial network-scale granting programs. This third category requires the network partners to make monetary contributions. Conditions apply to this category

For additional information see:
NSERC'€™s Strategic Network Grant Program

GreenCentre of Canada
Supported by Canadian universities and industries from across the chemical value chain, GreenCentre Canada aims to unite Green Chemistry researchers, international industry partners and commercialization expertise for the purpose of furthering Green Chemistry innovations, specifically in the marketplace.  The Proof of Principle (or Proof of Concept) fund endorses initiatives that not only assess but also reduce the risk of more comprehensive research and developmental investment(s). For this reason, the projects supported are short-term and narrowly focused that are designed for a period of three to twelve months. Eligibility criteria stipulate that the projects need to be collaborative and should form partnerships between industries and Ontario universities, colleges or research hospitals. 
For additional details see: Ontario Centres of Excellence: Proof of Concept and Green Centre of Canada 

International Science and Technology Partnership Program (ISTPP) 
In 2005, the Government of Canada inaugurated the five-year long International Science and Technology Partnership Program (ISTPP) for the advancement of the bilateral science and technology (S&T) trade agreements with Brazil, China, India and Israel. ISTPP encourages domestic competitiveness through the transfer of knowledge and technology resulting from international S&T partnerships. Emphasis is placed on industry-industry (especially small- and medium-sized enterprises) as well as university-industry collaborations. Aims of ISTPP include the commercialization of R&D, forming new partnerships, encouraging and promoting the mobility of researchers and Canada as preferred place of career-development for foreign personnel.
For additional information see: ISTPP '€“ Foreign Affairs and Trade Canada and ISTP Canada

 
Strategic Project Grants Program (SPG) 
Strategic Project Grants (SPG) Program is funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The goal of SPG is to increase participation of Canadian companies and/or government-based organizations that are suitably positioned to strengthen Canada's economy, industrial base, create employment and/or positively impact Canadian public
policy within the next ten years. SPG funds early-stage project research in targeted areas of focus for a period of one to three years. Partnerships in foci outside of natural sciences and engineering and international collaborations are encouraged.  For the approval of funding, NSERC requires that the project support the goals of SPG program and belong to at least one of the seven target areas, have clearly defined objectives and scope, collaborate with at least one academic researcher and at least one supporting organization, and lastly that the supporting organization must be actively involved in the project.
For additional information see:
NSERC'€™s Strategic Project Grants Program

Engage Grants Program (EG) 
The Engage Grants (EG) program is funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). EG provides Canadian-based companies access to the knowledge and expertise of the Canadian universities. The program was establishment for the specific purpose of initiating new collaborations between academic researchers and companies that have not partnered before. The program supports up to six month-long research and development (R&D) projects, by providing funding of an amount up to $25,000 to the academic researcher. These short-term projects must be aimed at addressing company-based issues. Researchers must take into consideration the fact that because of the short-term nature of the projects any Intellectual Property (IP) that results from the project will belong to the company.
For additional information see:
NSERC'€™s Engage Grants Program

Interaction Grants Program
Interaction Grants (IG) Program is funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The primary aim of IG is to provide Canadian-based companies and Canadian university researchers the opportunity to enter into (new) collaborative agreements for the purpose of identifying and resolving company-specific issues. This program funds up to $5,000 over a period of three months to subsidize the costs associated with travel and meetings for the specific purpose of facilitating contact between academic researchers and their industrial partners.
To qualify, applicants must clearly define the objectives of these meetings and the specifics relating to the skills of the researcher especially in response to how they correspond with the needs of the project.  

For additional information see:
NSERC'€™s Interaction Grants Program

Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA)
The Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) is a $50 million joint federal/provincial program that supports economic development in Alberta. WEPA is co-managed as well as co-funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Advanced Education and Technology. The aims of WEPA include providing a mechanism for increased federal-provincial cooperation and targeting joint strategic priorities that will enable Canada and Alberta to not only work together but also with other stakeholders. The desired outcome of these joint ventures is realizing the economic and developmental potential of the Province of Alberta in consistency with the national and provincial developmental strategies. The priority areas of WEPA are: Technology Commercialization, Business Productivity and Competitiveness, Trade and Investment, and Value Added Processing.
For additional information see:
Advanced Education and Technology - WEPA

Collaborative Research and Development Grants (CRD) 
The Collaborative Research and Development (CRD) grants are funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC). CRD grants program is designed to help Canadian-based companies to have access to researchers from Canadian universities. It is also designed to provide students with technical skills deemed necessary by industries. The collaborative relationship between industry and postsecondary institutes is mutually beneficial and is expected to contribute both towards the industrial and/or economic growth of the nation. The CRD grants require that projects applying for funding range from one to five years in duration and clearly describe all the assumptions, proposed methodologies, objectives, delivery and other specificities of the project such as costs. Qualifications criteria necessitates that the industry partner make contribute to the project of an amount either equal to or greater than the amount requested from NSERC.
For additional details see:
NSERC'€™s Collaborative Research and Development Grants 

Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program
The Idea to Innovation (I2I) Program is funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). I2I Program's primary objective is to expedite the pre-competitive development of new technology and encourage its transfer from the research and development (R&D) stage to Canadian companies. I2I provides funds to post-secondary faculty members as support for programs and projects in their initial stages of technology validation and market connection. The R&D activities that are eligible for this grant include, refining and implementing designs, verifying application, conducting field studies, preparing demonstrations, building engineering prototypes, and performing beta trials. Eligibility criteria necessitates that all projects and proposals must specify a technology transfer plan. Four different funding options, with corresponding time limitations are available to applicants. These stages and their time limitations are as follows:

1.  Market Assessment
   • NSERC shares costs of an independent and professional market study with the institutions for a period of up to twelve months (maximum $15,000)
2. Phase I (Reduction-to-Practice Stage)
   • NSERC provides the direct costs of research for a period of up to twelve months (maximum $125,000)
3. Phase II (Technology Enhancement) falls into two categories. Phase IIA (Early-Stage
   Investment Partner)
   • NSERC provides up to two-thirds of the costs of the project from six to eighteen months (funding requested cannot exceed $125,000 per year)
4. Phase IIB (Partnership with a Canadian company)
   • NSERC equally shares the funding cost with the company (funding requested cannot exceed $350,000)

For additional information see:
NSERC's Idea to Innovation Program

Alberta Innovation Voucher Pilot Program (previously known as, Alberta Advanced Education Voucher Program)
The innovation vouchers assist small technology and knowledge-driven businesses in Alberta introduce their innovations into the market faster. Companies are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or $50,000 in vouchers. The vouchers are intended for use at the province's public and non-profit service providers for both business and technology developmental services. This program is available to businesses registered in Canada, have a staff of fifty or less and also those that conduct more than 50 percent of its business in Alberta and will do so for at least eighteen months after receiving the vouchers. The eligibility criteria further stipulates that qualifying businesses, in the preceding fiscal year, had gross revenue that did not exceed $5,000,000.
For additional details see:
Alberta Innovation Voucher Pilot Program

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive
Program The Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program allows Canadian businesses of any size and belonging to any sector to claim tax credits and/or cash refunds for expenditures such as wages, materials, machinery, equipment, some overhead, and SR&ED contracts. Canadian-controlled private corporations (CCPCs) are eligible for an investment tax credit (ITC) of 35% up to the first $3 million of expenses made in Canada and 20% on any excess amount. Investment tax credit (ITC) of 20% of qualified expenses made in Canada is also available to other Canadian corporations, proprietorships, partnerships, and trusts. In order to qualify, it is required that R&D must be directed towards matters of technological uncertainty, must result in the advancement of technologies, and that work must be conducted by a qualified personnel.
For additional information see:
SR&ED Tax Incentive  

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
The National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) supports small- and medium-sized enterprises in Canada grow and flourish. NRC has a diverse network of services and programs that are utilized to provide businesses with a pool of resources for the purpose of developing and commercializing technology in a global marketplace. IRAP offers financial assistance for Research and Technology Development Activities and for Youth Employment Strategy Programs. It is necessitated
that eligible firms be small- and medium-sized businesses, have 500 or less full-time equivalent employees, and most importantly have the objective to grow and generate profits via development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada. Both the firm and the student are evaluated in order to qualify for the Youth Employment Strategy Programs. Internships are approximately six to twelve months long with the maximum contribution of $30,000.
For additional information see:
NRC-IRAP

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a non-profit foundation, provides financial assistance and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies which provide solutions to issues of climate change, clean air, water quality and soil, and which deliver economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians. There are two SDTC funds:

1. SD Tech FundTM
   • Provides $550 million as support for initiatives that deal with climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil
   • Designated for the late-stage development and pre-commercial demonstrations
   • Funds granted do not require repayment
2. NextGen Biofuels FundTM
   • Provides $500 million as support for the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels
   • Aims to bridge the High Capital Expenditure gap and remove the final elements of technology risk in bringing next-generation biofuels into the market
   • Recipients are required to repay based on free cash flow over a period of ten years after project completion

The SD Tech FundTM can be a feeder to this fund

For additional information see: SDTC

MITACS Accelerate
Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS) support a national level internship program called Accelerate. MITACS Accelerate links companies with research expertise in Canadian universities from applied sciences, engineering, social sciences and business to arts, life sciences and much more. The internship is available to graduate or post-doctoral candidate with a new outlook and up-to-date knowledge regarding a research-based issue faced by the collaborating organization. The duration of MITACS Accelerate internship is (minimum) four months. The duration of the internship is to be divided equally between on-site work and university research under the guidance of a university professor. The contribution from the company of $7, 500 is matched equally by MITACS. The intern receives a minimum stipend of $10,000 and the remaining $5,000 is applied to other costs of the research.

For additional information see: MITACS Accelerate

Agri-Business and Product Development
Agri-Business and Product Development is a Growing Forward commitment to the agriculture sector made by Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments. The Agri-Business and Product Development program is designed to increase profitability and strengthen the competitive position of Canadian businesses. Agri-food or agri-based processing companies that are engaged in producing and marketing crop-related and/or meat value-added products are eligible for this program. Qualification criteria necessitates that all projects should be involved, to some extent, in product development, market research and development, labeling and packaging development, and expanding an agri-business.

For additional information see:
Agri-Business and Product Development

Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit
The Alberta Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit is intended for businesses of all sizes and in all sectors that conduct research and development (R&D). The tax credit provides ten percent (maximum credit $400,000) of a company's eligible expenses up to an amount of $4 million. This credit is applicable to all expenses incurred after December 31, 2008, which also qualify for the federal SR&ED tax incentive program. Start-up and early-stage companies are able to benefit from this tax credit even if they do not earn enough to pay income taxes. 
For additional information see:
Alberta SR&ED Tax Credit

Environment Canada's Science Horizons Youth Internship Program 
Environment Canada participates in the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) program through the International Youth Internship Program and the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Science Horizons Youth Internship Program is a collaborative initiative between Canadian universities, private sector, and non-governmental organizations. It allows young scientists and post-secondary graduates gain hands-on work experience in projects like climate and ecosystem research, wildlife research and management, ecological monitoring and assessment, and the development of scientific tools such as standards and guidelines of environmental quality. The program offers a maximum of $12, 000per placement for approximately one hundred youth placements available across Canada. The duration of placements is six to ten months. Eligible costs include salaries, wages, operating expenses et cetera.
For additional details see:
Environment Canada'€™s YES Program

Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE) - Proof of Principle Funding
The Canada School of Energy and Environment (CSEE) collaborates with the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge for the creation and advancement of research and teaching initiatives that can lead to sustainable energy development and environmental management. CSEE aims to build Canada's rapport as the leading country in the international endeavors for the protection of the environment. The Proof of Principle Funding program is a CSEE tool for accomplishing this goal. This program is designed to further research and technology that are in their initial stages to the next level of impact on knowledge transfer, policy development and/or technology commercialization. The qualification criterion stipulates that projects need to deal with either investigating or refining key issues in the following areas:

• Reducing the environmental footprint of fossil energy exploration, extraction and processing
• Energy efficiency and conservation technologies
• Improved management of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions
• Policies and practices leading to solutions for energy-environment challenges

Alternative and renewable energy technologies

Full-time continuing faculty members of these universities are eligible to apply for the Proof of Principle Funding. The Adjudication committee reviews applications in two categories: 1) those applying for $50,000.00 or less; 2) those applying for more than $50,000.00 up to $100,000.00.
For additional details see:
CSEE - Proof of Principle Funding