Destruction of PFAS compounds in contaminated media
Canada
Strengthen small businesses with competitive opportunities to develop groundbreaking technologies for PFAS destruction
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateOctober 09, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateNovember 20, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant, offered by Canada's National Research Council (NRC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada (HC), and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), aims to support innovative, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for the destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across various contaminated media. Eligible activities include research and development of technologies for defluorination and mineralization of PFAS, ensuring at least 99% destruction efficiency while preventing harmful by-products, within a technology readiness level of 1-4.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible companies for this grant must be incorporated in Canada, reflecting the focus on Canadian businesses. The geographical eligibility is confined to this national framework, ensuring that companies operating and managed within Canada can apply.
- Companies incorporated in Ontario.
- Businesses based in British Columbia.
- Enterprises located in Quebec.
- Organizations registered in Alberta.
- Entities operating in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's business status and operations in Canada.
- The solution proposals can only be submitted by a small business.
- The business must be for-profit.
- The business must be incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
- The business must have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
- Research and development activities must take place in Canada.
- 50% or more of the business's annual wages, salaries, and fees must be paid to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada.
- 50% or more of the business's FTE employees must have Canada as their ordinary place of work.
- 50% or more of the business's senior executives (Vice President and above) must have Canada as their principal residence.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant is specifically designed for small businesses in Canada that are actively involved in research and development and meet certain eligibility requirements.
- For-profit small businesses incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
- Businesses with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including affiliated businesses.
- Businesses conducting research and development activities within Canada.
- Businesses with 50% or more of their annual wages, salaries, and fees paid to employees and contractors who primarily work in Canada.
- Businesses where 50% or more of FTE employees have Canada as their ordinary place of work.
- Businesses where 50% or more of senior executives (Vice President and above) have Canada as their principal residence.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The provided grant details do not specify particular types of companies or industries that are ineligible to apply. However, eligibility criteria suggest a focus on supporting innovative small businesses within Canada.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant focuses on fostering technological solutions to address the environmental and health risks posed by PFAS contamination. The eligible projects are centered on the development, validation, and potential deployment of new approaches for the effective decontamination of PFAS.
- Conducting bench-scale tests to prove feasibility of PFAS destruction solutions.
- Researching and developing innovative technologies for defluorination of PFAS compounds.
- Evaluating scalability and cost-effectiveness of new PFAS treatment processes.
- Ensuring compliance of solutions with Canadian environmental regulations while maintaining efficacy in diverse media.
- Providing analytical validation through independent laboratory evidence of PFAS destruction and by-products management.
- Proposing environmentally sound integration techniques with existing waste management infrastructure.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible expenses for this grant cover costs necessary to conduct research and development activities related to the project.
- Personnel salaries and benefits linked to the project.
- Costs for purchasing or leasing equipment specific to the research activities.
- Materials and supplies required for conducting the project.
- Consultant fees for specialized expertise directly necessary for project success.
- Costs for analytical and laboratory services for validating results.
- Travel expenses associated with project needs, especially for pilot test site activities in Phase 2.
- Intellectual property and regulatory compliance costs.
- Costs related to data collection and analysis pertinent to the project outcomes.
- Financial costs related to project management and oversight.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Verify Eligibility - Ensure your business meets all eligibility criteria, including being a small for-profit business incorporated in Canada with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and that R&D activities take place in Canada.
- Step 2: Review Challenge Details - Carefully read through the official Grant Instructions and Procedures document and the Desired Outcomes section to understand all mandatory and additional outcomes required for the solution.
- Step 3: Develop Proposal - Create a comprehensive proposal detailing your innovative solution, its scientific and technological basis, current technology readiness level, and how it addresses the challenge's essential and additional outcomes.
- Step 4: Demonstrate Innovation - Highlight how your solution meets ISC's definitions of innovation and advances the state of the art compared to existing technologies.
- Step 5: Identify and Mitigate Risks - Identify potential scientific, technological, and project risks, and outline mitigation strategies for each.
- Step 6: Develop Project Plan - Prepare a detailed Phase 1 project plan, including milestones, activities, and the estimated exit technology readiness level.
- Step 7: Assemble Implementation Team - Ensure your project implementation team has the required management and technological skill sets and experience to deliver the project plan.
- Step 8: Address Inclusivity - Outline policies or initiatives to increase participation of under-represented groups in the R&D effort.
- Step 9: Establish Financial Controls - Describe financial controls, tracking, and oversight mechanisms to manage funds throughout Phase 1.
- Step 10: Prepare for Phase 2 - Provide an overview for the Phase 2 prototype development plan, including key tasks and estimated costs.
- Step 11: Submit Proposal - Use the Challenge Stream Submission Form to submit your proposal before the closing date of November 20, 2024, 14:00 Eastern Time.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This grant targets small businesses incorporated in Canada, emphasizing innovations in PFAS destruction technology. The challenge includes two phases with specific funding caps and a requirement to demonstrate scalable and cost-effective solutions.
- The maximum funding for Phase 1 is $200,000 CAD for a duration of up to 6 months, while Phase 2 offers up to $1,500,000 CAD for 18 months.
- Travel is not anticipated for Phase 1, but some is expected in Phase 2 for pilot testing.
- Eligibility requires the applicant to be a Canadian-incorporated small business with less than 499 full-time employees and significant operations in Canada.
- The challenge encourages inclusivity and greater participation from under-represented groups in the research and development process.
- Phase 2 participants will need to provide a detailed project plan including key tasks, cost estimates, human resources, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Apply to this program
Innovative Solutions for PFAS Destruction
This grant seeks cutting-edge technologies for the efficient and complete destruction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across various contaminated media. The initiative is supported by several Canadian governmental bodies aiming to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of these persistent chemicals.
Exploring Comprehensive Strategies to Overcome PFAS Contamination
Canada is taking a significant step forward in addressing the environmental and health challenges posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through this targeted grant initiative. Launched under the auspices of the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, with substantial backing from the National Research Council (NRC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada (HC), and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), this grant represents a call to action for innovative solutions aimed at PFAS destruction.
The grant focuses on Phase 1 – Proof of Feasibility – inviting proposals that demonstrate the potential to significantly reduce PFAS contamination by at least 99%. These compounds, which are prevalent in fire suppression foams, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and textiles, have become ubiquitous in the environment due to their chemical stability that resists traditional degradation processes. The persistence of PFAS in air, water, and soil, coupled with their detection in biomonitoring studies, underscores the urgent need for technologies that can not only remove but effectively destroy these substances.
Access to funding can be up to $200,000 CAD for Phase 1, offering an essential boost for small, innovative Canadian enterprises to validate their ecologically transformative technologies at a bench scale. Successful implementations will show how these technologies can be scaled for broader application while ensuring cost-effectiveness and adherence to existing environmental regulations.
Phase 1 projects must conclude within six months, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed destruction technologies and assess associated benefits and risks. Additionally, no travel is anticipated during this phase, facilitating the participation of varied technology developers. The initiative encourages collaboration between businesses and laboratories capable of independently validating PFAS degradation results using contaminated samples provided by challenge sponsors.
Further incentivizing participation, the grant outlines that selected proposals demonstrating substantial progress will be eligible to transition to Phase 2. This subsequent phase offers the potential for $1,500,000 CAD in funding to conduct pilot demonstrations at real-world contaminated sites, supporting the refinement and deployment of these technologies in practical settings.
Critically, the grant is aligned with Canada's commitment to mitigating pressing ecological crises, thus it offers not just financial assistance but a commitment to global environmental stewardship. Through rigorous evaluation criteria, proposals are assessed on their innovative merits, compliance with Canadian environmental standards, and their scalability and economic viability.
This funding opportunity provides a platform for Canadian enterprises to lead globally in environmental technologies while supporting national goals of environmental protection and sustainable innovation. It is a unique chance for businesses to not only address a critical environmental challenge but to carve a niche in the rapidly growing PFAS treatment market, projected to be worth billions in the near future.
By fostering technological advancements and cross-sector partnerships, this grant can catalyze a new era of environmental remediation solutions, thereby contributing to a healthier and more sustainable Canada.
