Idea to Innovation Grants
Canada
Technology transfer opportunities
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 8, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants offer structured financial support through distinct modalities based on project phases, facilitating the development and commercialization of promising technologies. Each phase features specific funding allocations, cost-sharing requirements, and project scopes to optimize innovation investment.
- Market Assessment: NSERC supports up to 75% of the project cost to a maximum of $15,000, with the institution providing the remaining balance in cash.
- Phase I: NSERC covers 100% of the direct costs of research, up to a maximum of $125,000, for up to 12 months.
- Phase Ib: An additional funding of up to $60,000 for six months is available for successfully completed Phase I projects.
- Phase IIa: NSERC funds up to two-thirds of the project cost, with an early-stage investment partner covering the remaining one-third in cash, up to $125,000 per year.
- Phase IIb: NSERC provides funding for up to 50% of the project costs, with a maximum of $350,000, requiring the company partner to contribute at least 40% in cash and the rest in-kind.
- A maximum of 10% of the total direct costs are allowable for project management expenses in Phase IIb projects.
- Technology transfer expenses related to proposed activities may be co-supported by NSERC up to a maximum of 10% of the total amount requested, with the institution or partner covering half of these expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants focus on accelerating the early-stage development of promising technologies and facilitating their transfer to commercial markets. The grants support a variety of research and development activities, aiming to validate technology and connect it to market opportunities.
- Refining and implementing designs to optimize technology performance.
- Verifying the application of technology through rigorous testing.
- Conducting field studies to gather real-world data and insights.
- Preparing demonstrations to showcase the technology to stakeholders.
- Building prototypes to explore design and functionality.
- Performing beta trials to test technology in typical use scenarios.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 215,000
Creating prototypes for a smart home energy system
$ 215,000
Testing a new AI-driven healthcare application
$ 200,000
Developing a novel eco-friendly packaging material
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Idea to Innovation grants for companies is determined by specific requirements related to their Canadian presence and commercialization capabilities.
- Participating companies must normally be Canadian.
- If the company is outside of Canada, it must demonstrate clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy as a result of their participation.
- Companies must demonstrate the ability to commercialize the technology under development.
- Researcher-owned companies are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, considering the company's stage of development and adherence to institutional policies on commercial interest and conflicts of interest.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants are aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of promising technology emerging from the academic sector in Canada. Eligible applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered for funding under various phases of the grant.
- College and university faculty members with projects showing potential for technology transfer.
- Projects must originate from the university and college sector and involve research and development activities that have recognized potential for technology transfer.
- Eligible projects should be at a suitable technology readiness level (TRL 4 or higher for Phase I).
- The application can be submitted by a college or university researcher or research group, with eligible partners required for Phase II projects.
- Industry partners, especially in Phase IIb, must have the capability to commercialize the technology, either through internal resources or by acquisition capacity.
- Projects must be able to demonstrate clear potential market interest or feasibility for commercialization.
- There must be involvement or potential for partnership with early-stage investment entities or companies willing to share project costs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The eligible expenses for the Idea to Innovation grants mainly cover direct costs related to research and technology transfer activities.
- Direct costs of research and development activities such as refining and implementing designs, verifying applications, conducting field studies, preparing demonstrations, building prototypes, and performing beta trials.
- Certain project management expenditures up to 10% of total direct costs for phase IIb projects.
- Salary of replacement faculty to backfill a college faculty member’s involvement in an applied research project, and recruitment-related activities.
- Consulting fees for developing a strategy to protect the technology's commercial value, business plans, market surveys, and business mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs.
- Sharing of patenting expenses with the institution.
- Expenses associated with creating a partnership, such as travel costs.
- Market assessment costs, where NSERC co-supports up to 75% of the costs if conducted by an outside consulting firm.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible partnerships must involve companies that are Canadian or demonstrate direct benefits to the Canadian economy. The focus is on businesses within Canada, but companies outside Canada may be considered if they meet specific criteria.
- Companies based in Canada.
- Companies outside Canada demonstrating clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants are based on several criteria to ensure the proposed technology aligns with the scientific, technical, and commercial milestones required for funding.
- Scientific/technical merit
- Scientific basis for the expected commercial application
- Clarity and focus of research objectives
- Novelty, technical complexity, technical risk and feasibility
- Appropriateness of work plan, milestones, deliverables and decision points
- Team expertise and project management
- Breadth and depth of team expertise in the proposed fields of activity
- Business experience or available support
- Adequacy of personnel and material resources allocated for research and technology transfer activities
- Quality of project management
- Potential for technology transfer and commercial benefits
- Commitment of the institution through its technology transfer office (or equivalent)
- Appropriateness of the technology management and transfer plan
- Anticipated benefits for a Canadian company
- Justification of the benefits of NSERC financing
- Market assessment
- Signs of market interest
- Relevant essential questions have been incorporated into the market analysis
- Appropriateness of the consultant and statement of work
- Suitability of the proposed primary research
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Create or access an account on the NSERC online system.
- Ensure all personal and institutional information is up-to-date.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: 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.
- Step 4: 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.
- Step 5: 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.
- Step 6: 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.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are some additional miscellaneous details about the Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants:
- Applications submitted for phase II projects must include attestation forms if they aim to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area.
- Phase IIb proposals with a Canadian company can receive funding up to $350,000 for a maximum duration of 24 months.
- Institution's technology transfer office (ILO) must be involved in all new proposals and their activities related to the proposed technology transfer.
- Projects should describe the IP strategy and execution for technology transfer and commercialization.
- NSERC staff is available to review draft proposals if submitted sufficiently in advance of the deadline.
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion principles must be integrated into proposals.
- Reports on practical and financial outcomes are required at the end of all projects.
