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Collaborate 2 Commercialize - Ontario - Canada
Open

Collaborate 2 Commercialize

Money for collaboration between public Academia and Industry
Government of Ontario (ON)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000 - $ 150,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : January 20, 2023
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).

/100
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
  • 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

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

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.

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

  • 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

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.

Documents and links

Collaborate 2 Commercialize

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 Minimum of five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in Ontario Valid Ontario-based CRA business number

What expenses are eligible under Collaborate 2 Commercialize?

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.

Who can I contact for more information about the Collaborate 2 Commercialize?

You can contact Government of Ontario (ON).

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

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