Closed
Source verified March 3, 2026
Innovate BC — Ignite Program
Money to accelerate British Columbia innovation in natural resources and applied science
Funding available
$ 300,000
Deadline
September 16, 2024
Opened July 8, 2024
Location
British Columbia, Canada
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.
See full eligibility
Overview
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
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
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.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
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.Who is not eligible
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.
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.
Eligible geographic areas
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.
Selection 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.
How to apply
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Review Eligibility
- Ensure the project meets all eligibility criteria, including collaboration requirements and TRL minimums.
- Confirm matching funds availability or plan, although not required at this stage.
- Step 2: Initial Application
- Complete the application form provided by the funding body.
- Submit the application before the initial deadline (July 8, 2024).
- Step 3: Full Proposal Invitation
- If the initial application is successful, prepare to receive an invitation to submit a full proposal.
- Step 4: Prepare Full Proposal
- Develop a comprehensive proposal including project plans, financial details, and proof of committed matching funds.
- Ensure all partnership agreements regarding IP and project terms are documented and included.
- Gather letters of support to demonstrate market impact potential.
- Step 5: Submit Full Proposal
- Submit the full proposal by the designated deadline (September 16, 2024).
- Await the notice of decision anticipated by December 2024.
Additional information
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovate BC — Ignite Program Program
What is the Innovate BC — Ignite Program?
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
How much funding can be received?
Innovate BC — Ignite Program Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $300,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 16, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Innovate BC — Ignite Program program?
To be eligible for the Innovate BC — Ignite Program program, you must:
The project must be a collaboration between a B.C. based industry and academic partner, with the majority of work occurring in B.C.
The project partners must agree on IP ownership before applying.
The majority of partners must be based in B.C. and able to exploit research results in B.C.
What expenses are eligible under Innovate BC — Ignite Program?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Innovate BC — Ignite Program?
You can contact Innovate BC or by phone at 1-800-573-0488.
Where is the Innovate BC — Ignite Program available?
The Innovate BC — Ignite Program program is available the province of British Columbia.