CanExport Innovation
Canada
Empower Canadian organizations to forge strategic international R&D partnerships, enhancing global innovation capabilities
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grant_single|eligibleFinancing
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- grant_single|closingDateJune 07, 2024
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Grant and Funding
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- grant_single|allIndustries
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- Government of Canada
- Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
- Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
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CanExport Innovation is designed to promote and enhance Canada's international innovation efforts. The program offers grants to Canadian organizations to assist them in establishing and formalizing new collaborative research and development (R&D) partnerships with foreign partners.
The R&D partnerships being pursued must be for the purpose of joint development, adaptation and/or validation of a Canadian technology owned by the applicant organization. The technology must be ready for commercialization within 5 years.
CanExport Innovation provides funding for activities up until the point at which partnerships are formalized. A partnership is considered formalized following the signing of all agreements necessary to secure the partnership and/or to begin the R&D work. All activities subsequent to the formalization of the R&D partnership, including the R&D work itself, are ineligible for CanExport Innovation funding.
CanExport Innovation is a sub-program of CanExport. Other sub-programs include CanExport SMEs, CanExport Associations and CanExport Community Investments.
The program is delivered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
grant_single_labels|projects
CanExport Innovation is open to eligible organizations throughout Canada. The funding is targeted specifically at Canadian entities to bolster international R&D collaborations.
- Organizations registered and operating within Canada.
- Entities with an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$70,000
Montreal
Creating an R&D partnership to develop advanced battery technology
$60,000
Calgary
Forming an international R&D partnership for solar panel technology
$40,000
Vancouver
Creating a collaborative R&D partnership for biodegradable packaging
$48,000
Saskatoon
Establishing a joint R&D partnership to develop smart agriculture solutions
$45,000
Toronto
Developing a collaborative R&D partnership in AI for healthcare diagnostics
$50,000
Windsor
Establishing R&D partnership to validate eco-friendly material for auto parts
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and proposed activities.
- The applicant must be a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), academic institution, or non-government research centre.
- The applicant must be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada.
- The applicant must be registered in Canada with an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
- The applicant must own or co-own intellectual property rights for the technology featured in the application and/or have appropriate decision-making authority over the IP.
- The applicant must have a prototype for the technology and be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher.
- The applicant must intend to commercially launch the technology within 5 years.
- Applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient private revenues to cover 25% of costs for proposed activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The CanExport Innovation grant targets Canadian organizations engaging in collaborative R&D partnerships with international partners. It is aimed at facilitating the development, adaptation, or validation of Canadian technology ready for commercialization within five years.
- Capacity of the applicant to execute the project: managerial and human resources, and financial resources are key components evaluated.
- Past performance on CanExport Innovation projects: effectiveness of previous fund use and communication with the program.
- Readiness and ownership of the technology: must be at TRL 4 or above, ready for commercialization within 5 years, with existing prototypes and owned or co-owned IP rights.
- Appropriate choice of foreign partners: partners' skills, knowledge, expertise, and non-paid technical contributions are assessed, along with the company's ability to provide proof of partners' willingness to collaborate.
- Methodology for pursuing partnership: a detailed, logical plan of action to secure R&D partnerships is required.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The CanExport Innovation grant has specific criteria for eligible applicants, which also delineate certain exclusions. The restrictions help streamline funding towards organizations that align closely with the program's objectives.
- Sole proprietorships and unincorporated businesses.
- Accelerators and incubators.
- Charities and non-profit organizations unrelated to academic research.
- Third-party representatives such as agents, promoters, consultants, trading houses, and export brokers.
- Government entities at all levels, including departments, agencies, and crown corporations.
- Organizations primarily engaging as intermediaries without directly contributing to R&D activities.
- Companies in industries facing Canadian sanctions or entities in sanctioned countries.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The CanExport Innovation grant supports projects focusing on establishing collaborative research and development partnerships with international partners. The eligible activities facilitate these partnerships through various strategic and logistical actions.
- Travel-related meetings to engage in-person with potential foreign R&D partners, including costs for economy airfare, local transportation, accommodation, and single entry visas.
- Virtual meetings using secure video conferencing to negotiate and formalize R&D partnership agreements with foreign partners.
- Participation in virtual events relevant to the industry aimed at engaging with pre-identified foreign partners for potential R&D collaborations.
- Shipping technology or sample materials for demonstration to potential foreign partners during the R&D partnership negotiation phase.
- Costs associated with obtaining new certifications in foreign markets to formalize partnerships in compliance with regulations.
- Legal and expert services related to the protection of intellectual property in foreign markets where the R&D partner is located.
- Development of promotional materials specifically to attract pre-identified foreign R&D partners for collaboration.
- Consultant/legal services for due diligence, drafting legal agreements, or developing strategies for international R&D collaborations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses that assist in negotiating and establishing new collaborative R&D agreements with foreign partners.
- Economy class roundtrip airfare for travel-related meetings.
- Per diem for accommodation and meals.
- Single entry visas.
- Ground transportation within target markets.
- Renting meeting rooms and audio-visual equipment.
- Registration for secure video conferencing platforms for virtual meetings.
- Translation and interpretation services.
- Event registration fees.
- Courier services for shipping technology for demonstration.
- Certification application fee incurred directly through the foreign agency.
- Consultant or legal fees for processing certification applications.
- Expert or legal advice and services related to IP for foreign markets.
- Filing and registration fees for the protection of IP in foreign markets.
- Services from a consultant to develop promotional materials.
- Printing costs for promotional materials.
- Consultant or legal fees for conducting due diligence on foreign partners.
- Legal fees for drafting and reviewing agreements.
- Consultant or legal fees for strategies for international R&D collaborations.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the CanExport Innovation grant are based on various assessment criteria to ensure the project's feasibility and alignment with the program's objectives.
- Applicant capacity to manage and execute proposed activities and conduct resulting R&D work.
- Past performance on CanExport Innovation projects, including effective use of previous funding and timely communication with the program.
- Technology readiness, ownership status, and potential for commercialization within five years.
- Appropriate choice of foreign partners with necessary skills, expertise, and contributions to the R&D objectives.
- Methodology used for pursuing and securing R&D partnerships with foreign partners, detailing a logical plan of action.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the CanExport Innovation grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Familiarize yourself with the program details by reading the Applicant's Guide.
- Create an account on the online portal (note: not compatible with Internet Explorer).
- Enter your information under My Profile and select Update.
- Step 2: Basic Eligibility Confirmation
- Select Apply Now! on the CanExport Innovation landing page.
- Complete the Application Basic Eligibility section.
- Receive a confirmation of your Basic Eligibility by email within 7 business days.
- Step 3: Complete and Submit Application
- Once Basic Eligibility is confirmed, proceed to complete the rest of your application.
- Submit a completed application at least 60 business days before the start date of the first proposed activity.
- Step 4: Confirmation and Communication
- Receive an automated confirmation of submission.
- Retain the confirmation for your records and await further communication.
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Here are some miscellaneous details about the CanExport Innovation grant.
- Applications for 2024 open on February 29, 2024, at 9am EST.
- Projects must start on or after April 1, 2024.
- Applicants are urged to review the 2024-25 Applicant's Guide carefully.
- Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
- Funding decisions are made within 60 business days of application submission.
- Eligible applicants include Canadian SMEs, academic institutions, and non-government research centres.
- Funding covers up to 75% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $75,000 per project.
- Ineligible expenses include costs incurred prior to application submission and travel expenses that contravene Canada's official travel advisories.
grant_single_labels|contact
canexportinnovation@international.gc.ca
Apply to this program
Facilitating International R&D Collaborations through CanExport Innovation
The CanExport Innovation program supports Canadian organizations in developing research and development (R&D) partnerships with international entities. This initiative provides funding for activities aimed at formalizing collaborations that focus on the innovation, adaptation, and commercialization of Canadian technologies.
Understanding CanExport Innovation and Its Impact on Canadian Technological Advancement
CanExport Innovation stands as a pivotal grant program aimed at enhancing Canada's position in the global innovation landscape. Administered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, the initiative facilitates the establishment of international R&D partnerships for Canadian enterprises, research institutions, and non-governmental research centers. This program is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to leverage foreign expertise and resources to propel their technological developments towards commercialization within five years.
The program’s central objective is to offer monetary assistance to Canadian organizations, allowing them to formalize R&D partnerships by covering eligible project costs up to $75,000. With a funding mechanism that shares the costs between recipients and the program itself, applicants can access substantial support to cover a maximum of 75% of the eligible costs associated with their project. This structure ensures that crucial R&D activities are not hindered by financial constraints and that Canadian technologies have a fair chance to compete and thrive in international markets.
Eligible activities supported by CanExport Innovation include a range of strategic partnerships and collaborations that are integral to the development and commercialization of technology. Such activities encompass both physical and virtual meetings with foreign partners, shipment of prototypes for demonstrations, and procuring necessary certifications and intellectual property protections in respective international territories. Emphasis is placed on securing partners that can mutually contribute to and benefit from these R&D activities, ensuring that both parties are actively engaged in the process. This dedication to mutual involvement defines a genuine partnership as opposed to a mere service agreement.
The program’s alignment with the timelines of the Government of Canada's fiscal year is a strategic aspect, as it drives organized budgetary planning. Recipients are required to complete project activities within the stipulated fiscal year, ensuring that funds are utilized efficiently and effectively. This requirement pushes enterprises to strategize meticulously, hone project objectives, and deliver tangible results in a timely manner.
The importance of CanExport Innovation extends beyond financial support; it represents a pathway for Canadian innovators to integrate into global markets and ecosystems. The ability to employ Canadian-developed technologies internationally showcases not only the innovative capacity of Canadian organizations but also contributes positively to the economic landscape by potentially increasing exports, generating employment opportunities, and engaging in knowledge transfer and acquisition.
To align with the stringent standards set by the program, applicants must demonstrate a well-rounded application that highlights not only the technological novelty but also the project's alignment with broader economic and strategic objectives. The focus on technology readiness, intellectual property ownership, and strategic international partnerships ensures that the selected initiatives are not only innovative but are also viable and sustainable in the long term.
Overall, CanExport Innovation not only assists Canadian entities in reaching international markets but also positions Canada as a leader in global technological advancement. By funding projects that emphasize collaborative research and the development of cutting-edge technologies, this program supports a vibrant, competitive, and forward-looking Canadian economy.
