Innovate BC — Ignite Program
BC, Canada
Money to accelerate British Columbia innovation in natural resources and applied science
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|closingDateJuly 8, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Innovate BC
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Need to solve a business problem in the areas of natural resources, applied science and/or engineering? Get funding at 50% of what you and your collaborators contribute to the project, to a maximum of $300,000, when you partner with at least one academic
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Ignite Program offers a structured financing approach designed to support collaborative research and commercialization efforts in British Columbia. Funding is tailored to enhance the project's potential market impact and facilitate the commercialization process.
- Financial assistance of up to $300,000, distributed in approximately equal annual instalments upon submission and approval of annual reports.
- A 2:1 matching fund requirement, where applicants must secure $2 from industry or government sources for each $1 of Ignite funds.
- Up to 50% of matching funds can originate from government, institutional, and non-profit grants or awards, while up to 50% can be in-kind contributions.
- Funding cannot be used retroactively for expenses incurred before the project's start date as indicated in the application.
- Eligible expenditures include R&D activities, IP strategy, travel for collaborative purposes, and indirect administrative costs.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Ignite Program supports collaborative projects between academic and industry partners focused on research and development. These projects aim to solve industry problems and drive technological innovation in natural resources and applied sciences.
- Research and development of new, innovative technologies in natural resources and applied sciences.
- Projects focused on the commercialization of technology addressing industry needs.
- Collaborative initiatives between B.C. based academic and industry partners.
- Projects with strong potential for market impact and benefits to British Columbia.
- Research efforts that contribute to scaling technologies to a commercial readiness level.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 300,000
Innovative waste-to-energy technology project
$ 300,000
Developing an advanced water filtration system with UofA researchers
$ 250,000
Creating a biodegradable plastic alternative
$ 300,000
Developing renewable energy solutions for remote communities
$ 200,000
Development of a sustainable forestry management system with university researchers
$ 250,000
Development of an AI-based mining safety system with academic partners
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Ignite Tech Adoption grant requires compliance with specific conditions concerning the nature of the project and its partners.
- The project must support the development of new, innovative technology that addresses an industry problem in the sectors of natural resources, engineering, or applied sciences.
- The collaboration must involve a team consisting of a B.C.-based industry partner and an academic partner, with the majority of the project work taking place in B.C.
- Project partners need to have an agreement regarding the intellectual property ownership.
- The innovation should be at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3.
- There must be strong market potential demonstrated with at least one letter of support indicating market impact and/or benefits to B.C.
- The innovation needs a solid research and commercialization plan aimed at achieving commercialization within three years from the project start date.
- The project must secure matching funds from industry or government sources at a 2:1 ratio ($1 from Ignite matched by $2 from other sources).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant is designed for teams composed of both academic and industry partners who are working collaboratively on projects in the areas of natural resources, engineering, or applied sciences. The goal is to develop new, innovative technologies that solve industry-specific problems. Applicants must:- Work on projects that are primarily based in British Columbia (B.C.).- Have an innovation that is at least at Technology Readiness Level 3.- Demonstrate strong market potential with evidence via a letter of support.- Present a strong research and commercialization plan with the objective of reaching commercialization within three years.- Secure matching funds from industry or government sources at a 2:1 ratio, with specific criteria on the types of contributions that can be counted towards this match.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant does not explicitly list companies or industries that are ineligible based on status or main activity. Only the general eligibility criteria are provided.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible for funding, this grant supports projects focusing on research and development of innovative technologies in natural resources, engineering, or applied sciences fields. These initiatives should aim to resolve industry-specific challenges and demonstrate a robust plan for future commercialization within three years.
- Projects involving research and development of new technologies that improve efficiency in natural resource extraction or processing.
- Development of engineering solutions designed to address specific industrial challenges in the natural resources sector.
- Applied scientific research projects that push forward innovative technological advancements.
- Initiatives aimed at transitioning an innovation from prototype phase to market-ready product.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically for projects involving B.C.-based academic and industry partnerships. The criteria ensure that the majority of partners are located within British Columbia to guarantee local economic benefit.
- Projects must involve one academic partner and one industry partner based in British Columbia.
- The majority of the project work and partners are required to be in B.C.
- Organizations must be registered in B.C. and have significant operations in the province.
- Multinationals can participate if they conduct project-related commercial activities in B.C.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are specific evaluation and selection criteria for the Ignite grant:
- The project must support the research and development of a new, innovative technology that addresses an industry problem in natural resources, engineering, or applied sciences.
- The collaboration between academic and industry partners must be based in B.C., with a focus on achieving commercialization within 3 years, securing matching funds at a 2:1 ratio, and demonstrating strong market potential.
- The innovation should be at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3, have clear IP ownership agreements, and a strong research and commercialization plan.
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- A maximum of 50% of the matching funds can come from government grants or awards, and up to 50% can be in-kind contributions.
- Matching funds do not need to be fully confirmed at the application stage, but proof of committed matching funds is required for full proposal submission.
- Funding is paid in annual installments after the submission and approval of annual reports.
- Applicants can apply for funding with a different project if they have previously received Ignite funding.
- The success rate for being invited to submit a full proposal is approximately 40%, with about 30-40% of those proposals ultimately receiving funding.
- Partnership agreements, including details on IP ownership and project scope, must be submitted during the full proposal phase.
- The funds cannot cover expenses retroactive to the project start date indicated in the application.
grant_single_labels|contact
1-800-573-0488
Apply to this program
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