Fabrication Process Development Challenge

• Expression of Interest (EOI) submission (via the Blackbaud portal)
• EOI Attestation and Signature form (completed and uploaded)
• Full proposal (for applicants invited after EOI acceptance)
• Any supporting letters referenced in the assessment criteria (e.g., customers/advisors/industry experts)

• Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) are incorporated/registered in Canada and have significant operations in Canada
• At least one of the Lead or Co-Lead organizations is an SME (under 500 employees)
• Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) are FABrIC Members
• Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) have at least three full-time equivalent employees
• The project develops or expands eligible fabrication processes with a clear path to commercialization and alignment to FABrIC strategic objectives

Who is eligible?

• For-profit SMEs (under 500 employees) incorporated/registered in Canada
• Not-for-profit organizations in Canada
• Post-secondary institutions in Canada
• Research institutes in Canada wholly owned by Canadian post-secondary institutions
• Indigenous organizations in Canada

Who is not eligible

• Individuals
• Organizations that are not FABrIC Members (Lead/Co-Lead)

Eligible expenses

• Direct labour
• Direct materials
• Subcontractors (including NREs)
• Other direct expenses
• Overhead

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Capital equipment purchases
• Designated Projects under applicable federal environmental and impact assessment legislation

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Commercial opportunity and outcomes (e.g., target markets, customers, competitors, commercialization plan, revenue forecasts, scale-up plans)
• Advancement of the FABrIC ecosystem and benefits to Canada (e.g., job creation/HQP training, IP protection and commercialization in Canada, sovereignty and security impacts, collaboration)
• Project execution plan and likelihood of success (e.g., clear roles, milestones/KPIs/deliverables, feasible timeline, risk management, incrementality and need for support)
• EOI pass/fail screening includes organizational eligibility, project alignment, market/commercialization readiness, and ability to execute (including TRL expectations)

• Step 1: Access the application portal
  • Use the EOI application link to open the FABrIC Challenges Portal (Blackbaud)
  • Create a Blackbaud account (or sign in) to start an application
• Step 2: Prepare the Expression of Interest
  • Complete the EOI in line with the Round 2 Challenge Guide
  • Use the EOI template as a reference (template is for reference only)
• Step 3: Upload required form(s)
  • Complete the EOI Attestation and Signature template
  • Upload the attestation/signature form into the portal
• Step 4: Submit by the deadline
  • Submit a complete EOI through the portal before the posted deadline
• Step 5: Submit a full proposal (if invited)
  • If your EOI is accepted, prepare and submit a full proposal by the stated full-proposal deadline

• EOIs are screened by the FABrIC Challenge team for eligibility (pass/fail criteria)
• Successful EOI applicants are notified and invited to submit a full proposal
• FABrIC conducts a financial assessment of Lead and Co-Lead organizations at full proposal stage
• Independent expert assessment panel reviews, scores, and ranks full proposals; the FABrIC Advisory Committee recommends projects for funding
• CMC Board approves funding; successful applicants proceed to an Ultimate Recipient Agreement, and unsuccessful applicants are notified with a summary of reasons

• Projects must keep foreground IP in Canada for at least five years after project completion
• All project work must be performed in Canada unless pre-approved (up to 10% outside Canada)
• A management fee of 2.5% of funding is payable to CMC Microsystems for program administration
• Recipients must submit quarterly activity reports and financial claims with supporting documentation