Access to Talent Program
Canada
Wage subsidies for biologically-based innovation companies
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateAugust 30, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Natural Products Canada (NPC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies located in Canada. The eligibility is based on the company's incorporation within the country and alignment with national innovation clusters.
- Companies incorporated in Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Developing a new app for mental health monitoring
$75,000
Scaling up the production of a new organic skincare line
$44,000
Fundraising activities to support a new renewable energy solution
$72,000
Developing a new eco-friendly packaging technology for food products
$38,000
Creating a marketing strategy for a new eco-friendly cleaning product
$60,000
Implementing a regulatory strategy for a new health supplement
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Companies must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the Access to Talent Program.
- The applicant must be an incorporated Canadian SME or start-up company with up to 25 employees.
- The company must have a novel natural product or technology that aligns with NPC’s definitions of natural products or technologies and fit within Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9.
- The company must have the potential to achieve $10MM to 15MM in annual revenue within a reasonable period for the market or sector.
- The innovation should demonstrate potential for significant economic, social, health, and/or environmental benefits.
- The company should exhibit technological advancement and provide benefits to the natural products ecosystem across Canada.
- The project must demonstrate technical feasibility.
- The company must have potential for commercialization in Canada.
- The innovation should have potential spillover benefits to more than one sector.
- The company must show potential for improving the representation of women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples in the natural products ecosystem.
- The applicant must be a member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible organizations for the Access to Talent Program are Canadian SMEs or start-up companies with up to 25 employees, focused on developing natural products or technologies in line with NPC's definitions. These companies should have a novel natural product or technology between Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9 and possess the potential to achieve significant economic, social, health, and/or environmental benefits. They must also demonstrate technological advancement within Canada's natural products ecosystem, with potential for commercialization in Canada, and must be a member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster. Employees hired under this program must be new, full-time, and work exclusively on the specified project.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant helps Canadian SMEs and start-ups hire experienced individuals for critical roles in developing natural products or technologies. Activities eligible for the grant should align with the specified areas and contribute to research, development, and commercialization efforts.
- Product or technology development.
- Business development.
- Regulatory strategy and data collection for regulatory submissions.
- Product or technology scale-up.
- Development of marketing or sales strategies.
- Fundraising to support the growth of a product or technology.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses related to the salary costs of new employees hired to support the project.
- Salary costs for new employees hired to execute and deliver the project objectives and key milestones.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Access to Talent Program grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.
- Novelty of the natural product or technology.
- Market opportunity and business model.
- Strength of the management team.
- The project to be undertaken and the position to be filled.
- Qualifications of the candidate.
- Achievement and impact of the key milestones.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Initial Contact
- Contact NPC at [email protected] to express interest in the program.
- Ensure you have basic information about your company and the project ready for discussion.
- Step 2: Eligibility Assessment
- An NPC team member will follow up to review eligibility based on the Minimum Eligibility Requirements.
- Prepare to discuss the project scope, the key position(s) to be filled, and any identified candidate(s).
- Step 3: Invitation to Apply
- If eligibility criteria are met, your company will be invited to submit a formal application.
- Step 4: Application Preparation
- Gather information about the natural product or technology, including novelty, market opportunity, and key milestones.
- Detail the qualifications of the candidate and their role in achieving project milestones.
- Step 5: Application Submission
- Submit the completed application and any supporting documents as directed by NPC.
- Ensure all sections are thoroughly completed and meet NPC’s requirements.
- Step 6: Application Review
- The NPC team will review the application and provide feedback if necessary.
- Revise the application based on feedback, if required.
- Step 7: Final Review and Decision
- If revised, resubmit the application for the final review by the NPC Commercialization Sub-Committee.
- Await notification of the funding decision.
- Step 8: Notification and Feedback
- Receive notification of the decision.
- If unsuccessful, review any feedback provided. Appeals can be made in writing within 15 days of the decision.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The grant can be combined with other public funding, provided that the total government assistance does not exceed 75% of eligible costs.
- The funding is reimbursed based on quarterly reports that include written and financial claims with invoices and proof of payment.
- Successful applicants must pay a non-refundable project administration fee of 5% of total project costs plus GST/HST.
- Applicants are required to submit an annual report during the project and for each of the five years following its completion.
- Nominated candidates need to have their resumes reviewed and approved by NPC even if identified at the time of application.
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.
