Canadian SMEs or start-up companies can receive up to 40% of the cost of a new employee’s salary to a maximum of $75,000 in order to carry out a project that supports the development of a natural product or technology.

Eligibility criteria

The Access to Talent Program supports Canadian SMEs or start-ups in hiring experienced individuals for natural product or technology projects. Eligibility criteria include being an incorporated Canadian company, having a novel product or technology, and potential for significant economic and environmental benefits.

Incorporated Canadian SME or start-up with up to 25 employees.
Company must have a novel natural product or technology aligning with NPC's definitions and TRL 4-9.
Potential for $10-15MM annual revenue, significant benefits, and commercialization in Canada.
Must be part of Canada's Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
Hiring an experienced individual for key roles in research, development, and commercialization efforts.

Who is eligible

Eligible Types of Companies:

Canadian SMEs
Start-up companies with up to 25 employees

Eligible expenses

Yes, eligible expenses for this grant include:

Salary costs for the new employee hired by the SME or start-up company.

Eligible projects & activities

Project or activities eligible for this grant:

Product or technology development
Business development
Regulatory strategy and/or collecting necessary data for regulatory submissions
Product or technology scale-up
Marketing or sales strategy
Fundraising to support the growth of the product or technology

Evaluation & selection criteria

Evaluation and selection criteria for this grant include assessing the novelty of the natural product or technology, market opportunity, business model, competitors, strength of the management team, project to be undertaken, position to be filled, qualifications of the candidate, key milestones, and the impact of the key milestones.

Novelty of the natural product or technology
Market opportunity
Business model
Competitors
Strength of the management team
Project to be undertaken
Position to be filled
Qualifications of the candidate
Key milestones
Impact of the key milestones

How to apply

Step 1: Contact NPC at programs@naturalproductscanada.com if interested in the program.
- Content: Express interest in the Access to Talent Program.
- Implications: Initiate the application process and eligibility assessment.
Step 2: Review the Minimum Eligibility Requirements with an NPC team member.
- Content: Discuss company eligibility, project scope, position to be filled, and candidate information.
- Implications: Determine if the company meets the basic criteria for the program.
Step 3: Submit an application if the eligibility assessment is successful.
- Content: Provide detailed information on the natural product or technology, market opportunity, business model, team strength, project, position, candidate qualifications, key milestones, and milestone impact.
- Implications: Formalize the application for program consideration.
Step 4: Await initial review and feedback from the NPC team.
- Content: Wait for feedback on the submitted application and make necessary revisions if requested.
- Implications: Optimization of the application for further review and funding consideration.
Step 5: Final review by the Commercialization Sub-Committee and funding decision.
- Content: Application proceeds to final review by NPC Board members and an industry expert.
- Implications: Determination of funding approval based on thorough evaluation.
Step 6: Receive notification of the final funding decision.
- Content: Notification of whether the application was approved for funding.
- Implications: Clarity on the outcome of the funding application process.

Documents and links

Access to Talent Program

Apply to this program

Access to Talent Program Summary

The Access to Talent Program supports Canadian SMEs and start-up companies in hiring experienced individuals to work on projects related to natural products or technologies. Funding is available for positions in research, development, and commercialization efforts within specific industries.

Access to Talent Program Details

The Access to Talent Program by Natural Products Canada (NPC) aims to assist Canadian SMEs and start-ups by providing funding for hiring experienced individuals to work on projects focused on natural products or technologies. The program targets innovative products or technologies that benefit people, animals, and the planet, with a particular emphasis on biologically-based innovations. Eligible companies can hire individuals for up to 18 months to fill key positions related to research, development, and commercialization efforts. The positions can include roles in product development, business development, regulatory strategy, marketing, sales, and more.

There are two streams available for funding based on the experience level of the individual being hired. Stream 1 supports hiring individuals with 5-9 years of experience, while Stream 2 provides funding for senior-level experienced individuals with 10+ years of experience. The program contributes up to 40% of the new employee's salary cost, with a maximum amount of $75,000 or $150,000 depending on the stream. Companies must cover the remaining 60% of the salary costs over the program period.

The funding from the program is allocated solely towards salary costs and does not cover recruitment expenses incurred by the SMEs or start-ups. Eligible companies must meet specific criteria, including having a novel natural product or technology that aligns with NPC's definitions and fits within the Technology Readiness Levels 4-9. The projects must demonstrate potential for commercialization in Canada and significant economic, social, health, or environmental benefits.

Applicants undergo an eligibility assessment process to ensure they meet the program's criteria before submitting their applications. The evaluation includes reviewing the novelty of the product or technology, market opportunity, business model, competitors, management team strength, project details, candidate qualifications, key milestones, and impact assessments. Successful applicants will receive a funding contract outlining project scope, reporting requirements, and key milestones to achieve.

Upon approval, applicants will receive non-dilutive and non-repayable funding from NPC. The program follows Canadian Government stacking rules to ensure the combined financial assistance from various government sources does not exceed 75% of eligible costs. Companies are required to pay a project administration fee of 5% of total project costs plus GST/HST, which is non-refundable and not considered an eligible project cost.

The application process involves an initial review by the NPC team followed by a final review and funding decision made by the Commercialization Sub-Committee. Applicants will receive notifications throughout the process and can request an appeal if their application is not approved. The program maintains confidentiality of all application information, which is only accessible to those involved in the evaluation process.