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Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities)

University-industry R&D funding for commercialization in Ontario

Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: oc-innovation.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 40,000 - $ 100,000
Up to 66.67% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Principal investigators at Ontario publicly funded universities or research hospitals
See full eligibility

Overview

Collaborate 2 Commercialize Stream 1 combines NSERC Alliance and OCI funding for R&D collaborations between an Ontario publicly funded university or research hospital and an eligible Ontario industry partner. Projects must solve an industry problem and support commercialization in Ontario.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$100,000
Minimum funding
$40,000
Maximum share of project costs
66.67%
Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop team skills
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Ensure financial sustainability

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Ontario
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
5 employees minimum
Audience
  • Startups
Legal structures
For-profit business

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 3

Latest changes

C2C adds AI call and new application window

Collaborate 2 Commercialize now includes an Artificial Intelligence call with an application window from July 15, 2026 to September 15, 2026.

See more

Collaborate 2 Commercialize now shows a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) call focused on technologies that leverage AI to create commercialization opportunities for the industry partner. The new AI call has an application window from July 15, 2026 to September 15, 2026, alongside the existing Defense and Dual-Use Technologies call. The funding details, contact information, and application submission route shown on the page were not materially changed.

Official source: oc-innovation.ca
July 15, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Principal investigators at Ontario publicly funded universities or research hospitals
  • For-profit Ontario companies that meet the program’s incorporation, employment and commercialization requirements

Eligible expenses

  • Registration fees and travel and accommodation costs incurred and reimbursed in accordance with the Government of Ontario's Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive, except meals
  • Salaries and benefits for technicians, support staff, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and students involved exclusively in eligible project activities
  • Research materials, licence fees, publication, workshop costs, supplies, and services directly related to the project
  • Pro-rated research equipment purchase for project activities, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the OCI contribution
  • Lab analyses and related services, subcontractor and consultant fees approved by OCI management before the project starts, dissemination costs, and translation costs

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Institutional overhead
  • Travel outside the province of Ontario
  • Meals
  • Commuting costs between residence and place of employment
  • Passport and immigration fees

Activities funded

  • Collaboration between academia and industry to solve an industry-based problem
  • Commercialization of intellectual property
  • Post-secondary research and development collaborations with regional economic development and commercialization potential in Ontario

How to apply

  • The industry partner should contact its OCI Business Development and Commercialization Manager to start the application process.
  • If new to OCI, the industry partner should complete the Program Enquiry Form.
  • If selected as eligible and suitable, the applicant will receive an auto-generated link to AccessOCI.
  • The Industry Partner and Research Partner must complete the online application jointly in AccessOCI.
  • After completion, the application must be submitted to the post-secondary institution’s Research Office for endorsement.
  • The Research Office must endorse the application in AccessOCI before OCI final endorsement and submission.

Documents Needed

  • Letter of Support
  • Sample application form
  • Eligible expenses guidelines
  • Funding Agreement

Selection criteria

  • Significance of the challenge or opportunity to support the company’s business strategy and/or growth
  • Feasibility of the project plan, including milestones, budget, timeframe, project management plan and risks
  • Likelihood of economic benefit for the company in Ontario within three years of project completion
  • Overall quality and completeness of the application

Processing and Agreement

  • After approval, the post-secondary institution and industry partner receive OCI’s standard Funding Agreement.
  • The Funding Agreement must be signed by the institution and industry within 30 days of notification of award.
  • The project is activated upon receipt of the signed funding agreement.
  • The holdback is released after completion and approval of final progress and financial reports, outcomes, and the institution’s attestation on use of funds.
  • At one, two, and three years after project completion, the industry partner must complete a retrospective survey.

Additional information

Stream 1 — NSERC Alliance: This page applies to collaborations with Ontario publicly funded universities or research hospitals.

2026 targeted calls with NSERC

  • Defence & Dual-Use Tech: unclassified, non-weapon-specific solutions. Applications are accepted from June 1 to July 31, 2026.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-enabled technologies for commercialization. Applications are accepted from July 15 to September 15, 2026.
  • C2C is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding.
  • Applications are assessed through OCI internal review and an external peer review by three subject-matter experts from academia, industry and/or government.
  • For NSERC-supported applications, the application must also be submitted on the NSERC portal; OCI AccessOCI submission is required afterward.
  • For NSERC Alliance and ARD streams, OCI is only able to provide a maximum extension of 3 months.

Contacts

jpeng@oc-innovation.ca
647-637-3405

Official sources

Collaborate 2 Commercialize

Program guide

C2C Financial Guidelines (2026)Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) (2026)Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) (2025)

Application form

Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C)Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C)OCI Company Intake Form - Intellistack

Supporting document

Eligible Expenses for all Project Direct CostsOCI Funding Agreement
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) Program

What is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities)?

Collaborate 2 Commercialize Stream 1 combines NSERC Alliance and OCI funding for R&D collaborations between an Ontario publicly funded university or research hospital and an eligible Ontario industry partner. Projects must solve an industry problem and support commercialization in Ontario.

How much funding can be received?

Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) Funds up to 66.67% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) program?

To be eligible for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) program, you must: The research partner must be a principal investigator at an Ontario publicly funded university or research hospital. The industry partner must be a for-profit company incorporated in Ontario for at least two years with at least five full-time equivalent employees in Ontario. The project must use unique academic research capabilities and support commercialization.

What expenses are eligible under Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities)?

Registration fees and travel and accommodation costs incurred and reimbursed in accordance with the Government of Ontario's Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive, except meals Salaries and benefits for technicians, support staff, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants and students involved exclusively in eligible project activities Research materials, licence fees, publication, workshop costs, supplies, and services directly related to the project Pro-rated research equipment purchase for project activities, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the OCI contribution Lab analyses and related services, subcontractor and consultant fees approved by OCI management before the project starts, dissemination costs, and translation costs

Who can I contact for more information about the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities)?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at jpeng@oc-innovation.ca or by phone at 647-637-3405.

Where is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) available?

The Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Collaborate 2 Commercialize — Stream 1: NSERC Alliance (Universities) is a Grant and Funding