How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $350000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-06-20T00:00:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Idea to Innovation Grants?

Idea to Innovation Grants is funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Government of Canada

What are Idea to Innovation Grants's eligibility criterias?

Must be a Canadian company or demonstrate clear, direct benefits to the Canadian economy Must have or be able to acquire the capability to commercialize the technology Must contribute to project costs (cash and/or in-kind, depending on phase)

Idea to Innovation Grants

Last Update: June 5, 2025

Canada

Technology transfer opportunities

Idea to Innovation Grants at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $350,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : June 20, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Government of Canada

Status

Open

Overview of the Idea to Innovation Grants program

Get 100% of your project costs covered when you partner with an eligible academic institution to conduct R&D and beta testing of a technology or application prior to commercialization.

Financing terms and conditions

Market assessment funding covers up to $15,000 from NSERC per project (up to 75% of consultant costs), with the institution contributing the remaining 25% in cash; duration up to 12 months.
Phase I projects: Up to $125,000 from NSERC for 12 months, covering 100% of direct research costs (non-renewable).
Phase Ib supplement: Up to $60,000 for six months for projects with high promise following a successful Phase I completion.
Phase IIa: NSERC funds up to 67% (maximum $125,000 per year), with at least 33% from an early-stage investment partner (in cash), for a project duration of 6 to 18 months.
Phase IIb: NSERC funds up to 50% of project costs (maximum $350,000 over 24 months); the company partner contributes the remaining 50%, with at least 40% of that amount as cash and the balance as in-kind contributions.

Eligible projects & activities

Refinement and implementation of technology designs and concepts.
Verification of new technological applications through field studies and demonstrations.
Prototyping and testing of new products, processes, or services.
Conducting impartial market assessments to evaluate commercial potential.
Preparation and support for transferring technology from academic research to Canadian companies.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 215,000

Creating prototypes for a smart home energy system

$ 200,000

Developing a novel eco-friendly packaging material

$ 215,000

Testing a new AI-driven healthcare application

Eligibility criteria of the Idea to Innovation Grants program

The partner company must be Canadian, or if based outside Canada, it must demonstrate clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy from its participation.
The partner company must have, or be able to acquire by project end, the technical and commercial capacity to develop, manufacture, or market the technology.
In phase IIb projects, the company must be prepared to participate in project planning and undertake activities such as market studies, product/process development, and sales and marketing planning to establish the technology’s viability for market entry.

Who is eligible?

Canadian companies with the capability or potential to commercialize new technology
Early-stage investment entities (e.g., venture capital, seed capital, angel investors, university technology transfer corporations, incubators)
Researcher-owned companies (subject to institutional policies and NSERC review)
Companies outside Canada, only if they can demonstrate clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries based on the context provided. The restrictions are intended to ensure alignment with the grant's focus on technology commercialization and partnership with academic institutions.

Organizations that do not demonstrate a clear benefit to the Canadian economy.
Entities that are not considered early-stage investment groups or companies capable of commercializing technology.
Companies without the technical capability to develop the product or process to market.

Eligible expenses

Consulting fees for market studies and business plan development.
Expenses related to refining and implementing designs, including prototype construction and beta trials.
Verification activities such as field studies and demonstration preparation.
Recruitment-related expenses, including the salary for replacement faculty hired to backfill a college faculty member's role.
Project management costs, up to 10% of total direct costs (for phase IIb).
Patenting expenses and other costs associated with protecting intellectual property.
Business mentoring fees from experienced entrepreneurs.
Travel expenses directly associated with partnership or technology transfer activities.

Eligible geographic areas

Canadian companies

Eligibility criteria of the Idea to Innovation Grants program

Scientific and technical merit, including the clarity and focus of research objectives.
Potential for technology transfer and commercial benefits for a Canadian company.
Breadth and depth of team expertise and quality of project management.
Quality and suitability of the technology transfer plan and anticipated benefits of NSERC financing.
Evidence of market interest and appropriateness of primary research in market assessment applications.

How to apply to the Idea to Innovation Grants program

Preliminary Registration

Create or access an account on the NSERC online system.
Ensure all personal and institutional information is up-to-date.

Understand Eligibility and Guidelines

Review the eligibility criteria and ensure compliance with all requirements for the specific phase (Market assessment, Phase I, Phase IIa, Phase IIb).
Consult the Tri-agency guidance on sensitive technology research areas to understand future implications.

Prepare Application Documents

Complete Form 100 – Personal Data Form for principal applicant and co-applicants.
Complete Form 101 – Application for a Grant including detailed project proposal and budget.
Fill out Form 183A (if applicable) for information from organizations in research partnerships.
Develop a technology transfer plan outlining strategy and business plan if required.
Obtain letters of support from potential partners or early-stage investors.

Institutional Collaboration

Work closely with the institution's Industry Liaison Office (ILO) or equivalent to align commercialization plans.
Ensure that any IP or licensing agreements are in place if required.

Application Submission

Upload the completed forms and supplementary documents to the NSERC online application portal.
Review all entries for completeness and accuracy before submission.
Submit the application before the nearest deadline date ensuring all components are included.

Confirmation of Submission

Receive an automated confirmation email acknowledging the submission of your application.
Keep the confirmation email and assigned application number for your records.

Additional information

Applicants must collaborate closely with their institution's Industry Liaison Office (ILO) or its equivalent when developing proposals.
Each proposal is required to include a technology transfer plan appropriate to the technological maturity.
NSERC may review draft proposals if submitted well in advance of the application deadline.
Reports assessing practical and financial outcomes, with input from the technology transfer office, are required upon project completion.