Open
Collaborate 2 Commercialize
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Money for collaboration between public Academia and Industry
Grant and Funding
Wage Subsidies And Interns
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).
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Minimum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 20, 2023
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
Activities funded
- Collaborative research and development projects addressing industry-based challenges.
- Commercialization of intellectual property resulting from academic-industry partnerships.
- Development of commercially viable solutions by leveraging specialized academic expertise and infrastructure.
- Projects aimed at bringing new technologies or innovative processes to market within three years after project completion.
- Initiatives that directly engage students in experiential learning roles within industry-academic collaborations.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 60,000
Collaborating with a university to develop a new marine biofuel prototype
$ 45,000
Collaboration with the University of British Columbia for the development of a biodegradable packaging prototype
$ 75,000
Partnership with McGill University for the commercialization of a new biomedical device
$ 75,000
Development of a new agricultural drone in collaboration with the University of Guelph
$ 60,000
Partnering with the University of Waterloo to develop advanced cybersecurity tools
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a for-profit company incorporated in Ontario for at least two years and possess a valid Ontario-based CRA business number.
- The company must qualify as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with a minimum of five full-time equivalent employees based in Ontario.
- The company must be using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes to enhance competitiveness in provincial, national, and/or global markets.
- Operations related to the project (production and/or R&D) must be located in Ontario.
- The company must have the intent and potential to commercialize the project results for the economic benefit of Ontario.
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
- Companies that are not for-profit or not incorporated in Ontario for at least two years.
- Businesses that do not have a valid Ontario-based CRA business number.
- Companies with fewer than five full-time employees in Ontario.
- Industry partners not engaged in technology innovation or not intending to commercialize project results for Ontario's economic benefit.
- Organizations not in good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for project personnel at the post-secondary institution.
- Purchase of equipment, materials, and operating costs necessary for conducting the project (up to 20% of NSERC budget for joint NSERC-ARD projects).
- Project management expenses (up to 10% of NSERC budget for NSERC-ARD projects).
- Faculty release costs at colleges (up to $9,000 per course/semester for NSERC-ARD projects).
- Travel expenses for college personnel to conduct project activities (excluding international conference presentations).
- Overhead and administration costs, where applicable (up to 20% of NSERC budget for NSERC-ARD projects).
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Significance of the challenge or opportunity in supporting the company’s business strategy and growth.
- Rationale for the proposed project in addressing the company-specific problem or opportunity.
- Clarity and appropriateness of the research and development methodology, objectives, and roles of each partner.
- Feasibility of the project plan, including milestones, budget, timeframe, project management plan, and risk assessment.
- Likelihood of economic benefit for the company in Ontario within three years of project completion, such as job creation, revenue generation, or investment attraction.
How to apply
1
Initial Connection
- The Industry Partner connects with their OCI Business Development Manager (BDM).
- If new to OCI, complete the Program Enquiry Form to get connected with a BDM.
2
Eligibility Assessment
- OCI conducts an initial vetting and due diligence assessment to ensure eligibility.
- Determine if the opportunity is suitable for the C2C program.
3
Application Access
- If eligible, receive an autogenerated link to the AccessOCI online application system.
- The application remains open for 90 days for completion.
4
Complete Application
- Complete the online application form jointly in AccessOCI.
- Both Industry and Research Partners log in to AccessOCI and create accounts if needed.
- Include only eligible expenses in the budget.
- Submit the application to the post-secondary institution’s Research Office for endorsement.
5
Research Office Endorsement
- The Research Office endorses the application in AccessOCI.
- Notify OCI Business Development Manager (BDM) that application is ready for final review.
6
External Review
- Application proceeds to an external peer review by subject-matter experts.
- Assessment is done by OCI’s Internal Review Panel for final decision.
- Receive decision notification typically within 35 days of application submission.
Additional information
- Institutional overhead is not an eligible project expense and should not be included in the project budget.
- Overhead on the OCI contribution will be remitted separately by OCI to the institution at a fixed percentage.
- Project activation occurs upon the signing of the funding agreement, with funds only released after activation.
- At one, two, and three years after project completion, a retrospective survey must be completed to report on commercial outcomes.
