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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Collaborate 2 Commercialize. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
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)