Closed
Collaborate 2 Commercialize
Money for collaboration between public Academia and Industry
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000 - $ 150,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
Receive between $20,000 and $150,000 to cover up to 50% of the eligible project costs to collaborate with Academia to solve an industry‐based problem and drive the commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP).
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Collaboration between academia and industry to solve an industry-based problem.
- Projects aimed at commercializing research results and intellectual property.
- SME collaborations with post-secondary research teams in Ontario.
- Research and development projects with commercialization potential within three years after completion.
Documents Needed
- Sample application form
- Letter of support from the industry partner
- OCI Funding Agreement
- Eligible expense guidelines
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Ontario
- Companies using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes
- Industries with Ontario-based research and/or manufacturing operations related to the project
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that are not for-profit or not incorporated in Ontario for at least two years.
- Businesses without a valid Ontario-based CRA business number.
- Companies with fewer than five full-time equivalent employees in Ontario.
- Applicants not in good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for technicians, support staff, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, and students working on the project.
- Research materials, supplies, services, lab analyses, publication and workshop costs, and related operating expenses.
- Pro-rated research equipment costs, travel and accommodation, and approved subcontractor or consultant fees.
- For colleges, project management, faculty release, and part-time faculty support costs may also be eligible.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Institutional overhead.
- Travel outside Ontario, meals, passport and immigration fees, and commuting costs.
- Faculty or principal investigator salaries and benefits, except college faculty release costs.
- Intellectual property protection costs, taxes, fines, penalties, interest charges, and infrastructure costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Eligible applications are first vetted by OCI for eligibility and suitability.
- Complete applications are reviewed externally by three subject-matter experts.
- OCI’s Internal Review Panel makes the final funding decision.
- Decision notifications are typically provided within 35 days of submission.
- A signed funding agreement is required before project activation.
Additional information
- The industry partner must provide a letter of support outlining its cash contribution.
- A payment schedule for the industry cash contribution must be submitted before project activation.
- The funding agreement must be signed within 30 days of the award notification.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Collaborate 2 Commercialize Program
What is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize?
Receive between $20,000 and $150,000 to cover up to 50% of the eligible project costs to collaborate with Academia to solve an industry‐based problem and drive the commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP).
How much funding can be received?
Collaborate 2 Commercialize Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize program?
To be eligible for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize program, you must:
For-profit, incorporated in Ontario for at least two years
At least five FTE employees in Ontario
Valid Ontario-based CRA business number
What expenses are eligible under Collaborate 2 Commercialize?
Collaboration between academia and industry to solve an industry-based problem.
Projects aimed at commercializing research results and intellectual property.
SME collaborations with post-secondary research teams in Ontario.
Research and development projects with commercialization potential within three years after completion.
Where is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize available?
The Collaborate 2 Commercialize program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Collaborate 2 Commercialize is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Collaborate 2 Commercialize?
Collaborate 2 Commercialize is funded by Government of Ontario, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)