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.

Eligibility criteria

1. The project must be based on a promising technology from a university or college environment.

The technology must be new and original.
The technology must have the potential to generate significant economic benefits for Canada.
The technology must be at the applied research or early development stage.

2. The project must be led by a qualified researcher affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution.

The researcher must have a PhD or equivalent degree.
The researcher must have relevant research experience in the field of the proposed technology.
The researcher must be able to lead a research team and manage a research budget.

3. The project must involve a Canadian company.

The company must be a Canadian legal entity.
The company must have the capacity and expertise to commercialize the proposed technology.
The company must be committed to investing in the development and commercialization of the proposed technology.

4. The project must be consistent with NSERC priorities.

The project must be consistent with NSERC's strategic priorities.
The project must contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the creation of new technologies.
The project must have a positive impact on the Canadian economy.

Who is eligible

Eligible candidates for the I2I grant are as follows:

Researchers with a PhD or equivalent degree affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Research teams led by an eligible researcher.
Not-for-profit organizations with a research and development mandate.
Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) collaborating with a Canadian post-secondary institution.

To be eligible, the project must meet the following eligibility criteria:

The project must focus on a promising technology originating from a university or college environment.
The project must have the potential to generate significant economic benefits for Canada.
The project must be led by a qualified researcher affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution.
The project must involve the collaboration of a Canadian company.
The project must be consistent with NSERC priorities.

Who is not eligible

The following are not eligible to apply for the INNOV grant:

Students who do not hold a doctorate or equivalent degree.
Researchers who are not affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Non-Canadian companies.
Projects that are not based on a promising university or college technology.
Projects that do not have the potential to generate significant economic benefits for Canada.
Projects that are not in line with NSERC priorities.

Here are a few examples of people who cannot apply for an I2I grant:

Second-year doctoral students.
A researcher working in a private laboratory.
An American company wishing to develop a new technology.
A basic research project with no commercial application.
A project aimed at developing a technology that is not new or original.

Eligible expenses

Phase I:

Direct research costs: 100% funded by NSERC
Technology transfer costs: Up to 10% of the total amount requested, shared equally between NSERC and the institution or partner.

Eligible projects & activities

Here are just a few examples of projects funded by the INNOV program:

Development of a new material for lithium-ion batteries.
Development of a diagnostic system for breast cancer.
Creation of a more efficient wastewater treatment technology.
Development of a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Development of a safety system for autonomous vehicles.
Creation of a new technology for solar energy production.
Development of a new manufacturing process for pharmaceutical products.
Development of new software for data management.
Creation of a new technology for precision agriculture.

Eligible geographic areas

The I2I grant is open to applicants from across Canada.

Applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution.

The partner company may be located anywhere in Canada.

Evaluation & selection criteria

Selection criteria:

Scientific or technical quality of the project
Commercial potential of the project
Skills and experience of the principal investigator
Quality of collaboration with partner company
Feasibility of work plan and budget

How to apply

1. Read the guidelines.

2. Determine eligibility.

3. identify partner.

4. Prepare proposal.

5. Submit proposal.

6. Wait for decision.

Phase I of a project takes 4 to 6 months.

Documents and links