Access to Talent Program

Who is eligible?

• Canadian SMEs and start-up companies with up to 25 employees operating in the natural products or technologies sector
• Companies developing biologically-based innovations leveraging or enhancing naturally-occurring molecules
• Organizations focused on food production and value-added agriculture
• Enterprises in bioproducts and sustainability
• Businesses involved in human and animal health, nutrition, wellness, and water and waste management

Eligible expenses

• Salary costs for new full-time employees hired specifically for the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies incorporated in Canada.

• Novelty of the natural product or technology.
• Market opportunity and potential for commercialization in Canada.
• Strength and capacity of the management team.
• Qualifications of the candidate to be hired.
• Impact and achievement of key milestones within the project.

• Step 1: Contact NPC for Eligibility Assessment
  • Contact the Natural Product Canada (NPC) team by email at info@naturalproductcanada.com to express your interest in the Access to Talent Program.
  • An NPC team member will follow up to review minimum eligibility requirements, discuss the scope of your potential project, the role to be filled, and the proposed candidate.
• Step 2: Invitation to Apply
  • If your company meets the eligibility criteria after initial discussion, you will be invited by NPC to formally submit an application.
• Step 3: Submission of Application
  • Prepare your application, ensuring all required information about your project, the key position to be filled, and the candidate’s qualifications are included.
  • Submit the application as instructed by NPC. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
• Step 4: Initial Application Review and Feedback
  • NPC will conduct an initial review of your application.
  • Feedback may be provided, and you may have the opportunity to revise your application if needed.
• Step 5: Final Review and Decision
  • Applications approved by the NPC team proceed to the Commercialization Sub-Committee for a final review and funding decision.
• Step 6: Notification of Decision
  • You will be informed of the progress and provided with a final decision regarding the funding application.
  • If your application is not approved, feedback will be provided and you may request an appeal within 15 days by submitting a written objection.

• Successful applicants are required to pay a non-refundable project administration fee of 5% of total project costs plus GST/HST.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
• All applications are treated as confidential and only accessed by those directly involved in the evaluation process.
• Unsuccessful applicants may appeal the decision by submitting a written objection within 15 days of notification.