GreenCentre Canada
Canada
Advice and facilities for chemical and materials innovations
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJune 14, 2022
grant_single|financingType
Expert Advice
Researchers And Facilities
Other Support
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- GreenCentre Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Receive advice from technical, administrative, and business professionals as well as access to state-of-the-art labs to develop your sustainable chemistry and advanced materials innovations.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to Canadian small and medium enterprises across all provinces and territories. The eligible areas encompass all regions where Canadian SMEs in the bioproducts sector are based.
- All provinces in Canada
- All territories in Canada
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$45,000
Create eco-friendly cleaning products with non-toxic ingredients
$55,000
Innovative recycling process for electronic waste
$60,000
Develop a new biodegradable packaging material using sustainable chemistry
$50,000
Develop eco-friendly solvents for the paint industry
$60,000
Develop sustainable construction materials with improved thermal properties
$70,000
Develop advanced material for renewable energy storage
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the CONNECT Program grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant and their proposed project in the bioproducts sector.
- The applicant must be a Canadian SME with fewer than 500 employees.
- The applicant’s technology must belong to the bioproducts sector.
- The service provider must be a Canadian company, with an arm’s length relationship to the applicant.
- Applicants who have completed a project under the CONNECT program in the previous fiscal year (2022/04/01 – 2023/03/31) are not eligible to apply in the current fiscal year.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The CONNECT Program is specifically open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Canada that operate within the bioproducts sector. To qualify for this grant, the applying SME must have fewer than 500 employees and cannot have participated in the CONNECT program during the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, SMEs must collaborate with a Canadian service provider with which they do not have existing relationships, to develop a project proposal worth up to $15,000 CAD. The service provider can only work on a maximum of five projects per fiscal year under this program, and each project must be completed and invoiced by March 15, 2024.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions ensure that the support is targeted towards companies that have not previously benefited within a specific timeframe.
- Companies that participated in the CONNECT program in the previous fiscal year (2022/04/01 – 2023/03/31).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible projects for this grant are centered around utilizing technical or commercial services to expedite the commercialization of bioproducts. These activities aim to foster collaboration and innovation within the Canadian bioproducts sector.
- Collaboration with a Canadian service provider to develop a strategic project plan for bioproducts commercialization.
- Execution of short-term projects leveraging Canadian service provider expertise in technical or commercial services.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for the CONNECT Program grant is Canada.
- All applicants must be Canadian SMEs
- Service providers must be Canadian companies
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the GreenCentre Canada's CONNECT Program ensure that eligible Canadian SMEs in the bioproducts sector can access funding for short-term projects to accelerate commercialization. The criteria include company size, sector applicability, service provider requirements, and project completion deadlines, among others.
- Applicants must be a Canadian SME (<500 employees)
- Applicant's technology must belong to the bioproducts sector
- Service Provider must be a Canadian company, with an arm’s length relationship to the Applicant
- Eligible projects may be up to a maximum of $15,000 CDN + applicable taxes
- All projects must be completed and invoiced by March 15, 2024
- Applicants who have completed a project under the CONNECT program in the previous fiscal year (2022/04/01 – 2023/03/31) are not eligible to apply in the current fiscal year
- The services of only one service provider may be used per application
- Service providers can work on up to five projects per fiscal year
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Review Eligibility Criteria
- Ensure that your company is a Canadian SME with fewer than 500 employees.
- Confirm that your technology falls within the bioproducts sector.
- Verify that any service provider you intend to work with is a Canadian company and operates at arm's length from your business.
- Make sure your project budget does not exceed $15,000, excluding applicable taxes.
- Step 2: Initial Contact
- Contact Zach Ariki, Business Accounts Coordinator, for an initial discussion about your project and company needs.
- Request guidance on the suitability of your project for the program.
- Step 3: Application Document
- If deemed suitable after the initial discussion, receive the application document from GreenCentre Canada.
- Step 4: Develop Project Plan
- Collaborate with a Canadian service provider to create a strategic project plan that aligns with the CONNECT program objectives.
- Ensure that the collaboration and project are well-documented and structured to meet the program requirements.
- Step 5: Complete and Submit Application
- Fill out the received application document thoroughly, ensuring all required information is provided.
- Submit your completed application to GreenCentre Canada through the provided submission method.
- Step 6: Confirmation of Application
- Receive confirmation of receipt for your application.
- Maintain all correspondence and confirmation for your records.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The CONNECT Program helps Canadian SMEs in the bioproducts sector accelerate the commercialization of new products and services, offering funding up to $15,000. Applicants must meet specific criteria, and the program ensures that intellectual property rights are retained by the applicant.
- Program status: Closed
- Eligible sector: Bioproducts
- Funding value: $15,000
- Eligibility: Canadian SMEs (<500 employees)
- Projects must be completed and invoiced by March 15, 2024
- Applicants who completed a project under the program in the previous fiscal year are not eligible
- Service providers must be Canadian companies with an arm’s length relationship to the applicant
Apply to this program
Accelerate Your Bioproduct Innovations with CONNECT
The CONNECT Program offers substantial support to Canadian SMEs focused on bioproducts, contributing $15,000 to aid in the commercialization of innovative solutions. Though currently closed, the program has been a catalyst for SMEs working towards sustainable advancements.
Unleashing Bioproducts Potential Through Essential Funding
The CONNECT Program is a pivotal initiative run by GreenCentre Canada, explicitly targeting Canadian SMEs within the bioproducts sector. This program provides these enterprises with funding up to $15,000, earmarked for accelerating the commercialization of their innovative products and services. Supported by NRC-IRAP, the program reflects a strategic collaboration that aims to strengthen the competitive edge of Canadian SMEs by facilitating the use of technical and commercial expertise of domestic service providers.
Canadian SMEs, particularly those operating with fewer than 500 employees, find unique advantages through this grant. It not only provides financial backing but also ensures these enterprises maintain full ownership of any intellectual property developed during the project. This provision offers significant relief to SMEs concerned about protecting their innovations.
One of the highlights of the CONNECT Program is its focus on fostering productive partnerships. SMEs are paired with Canadian service providers to create a detailed project plan tailored to market demands. Such collaborations are crucial, enabling SMEs to overcome technical challenges more swiftly and effectively, thereby enhancing the speed of bringing new bioproducts to market. This support is structured to ensure that projects are rigorously vetted and recommended partners are not involved in more than five projects annually, guaranteeing comprehensive and undivided attention to each project.
While the program is now closed, its impact continues to resonate among past participants. It has contributed significantly to Canada's innovation landscape, particularly helping SMEs develop technologies that align with national priorities for sustainable development and environmental responsibility. By ensuring that all output and technological advancement remain in the hands of the SMEs, the CONNECT Program ensures that these enterprises can reap long-term benefits from their innovations.
Furthermore, the program's design reflects an understanding of the unique pressures faced by SMEs. Projects must be completed and invoiced by March 15, 2024, a timeline that ensures efficiency while providing the flexibility needed to address dynamic market conditions. Though recipients of previous funding under the CONNECT initiative are excluded from reapplying in the current fiscal year, this contingency encourages the distribution of support to a broader range of enterprises, further reinforcing the program’s comprehensive support to the Canadian innovation ecosystem.
Overall, the CONNECT Program stands as a testament to Canada's commitment to elevating its bioproduct sector, providing targeted financial assistance that empowers SMEs to innovate with assurance and confidence. It emphasizes not only the economic benefits of bringing advanced bioproducts to market but also the strategic importance of nurturing home-grown technological solutions that respond to global environmental and sustainability challenges.
