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
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
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Montreal
Developing a new app for mental health monitoring
$75,000
Toronto
Scaling up the production of a new organic skincare line
$44,000
Ottawa
Fundraising activities to support a new renewable energy solution
$72,000
Vancouver
Developing a new eco-friendly packaging technology for food products
$38,000
Halifax
Creating a marketing strategy for a new eco-friendly cleaning product
$60,000
Calgary
Implementing a regulatory strategy for a new health supplement
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible Types of Companies:
- Canadian SMEs
- Start-up companies with up to 25 employees
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, eligible expenses for this grant include:
- Salary costs for the new employee hired by the SME or start-up company.
grant_single_labels|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
grant_single_labels|register
- 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.
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.
