Closed
Lab to Market grants
Funding for entrepreneurial skills training networks
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000 - $ 10,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : September 9, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
Lab to Market grants provide up to $10 million per year for networks that build entrepreneurial skills training in Canadian post-secondary institutions. The program supports collaboration, mentorship, training and knowledge mobilization activities across natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and health.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new program or service
- Increase social or community impact
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,000,000 $
Timeline
- Closing date : September 9, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Developing and delivering entrepreneurial skills training networks
- Training, mentorship and practical learning for researchers and HQP
- Online learning modules and virtual training content
- Business coaching, knowledge sharing and collaboration activities
- Connections to innovation networks and commercialization support
Documents Needed
- Letter of intent
- Full proposal by invitation
- Application through the Convergence Portal
- Proposal describing collaborators and network structure
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian post-secondary institutions
- Universities, colleges and research hospitals
- Eligible research centres and CCTTs
Eligible expenses
- Staff salaries and benefits for network activities and reporting
- Advertising, website and promotional campaigns
- Training material development and translation
- Hospitality, dissemination and networking costs, including facility rental
- Market research, business development and project management tools
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Research expenses
- Laboratory expenses
- Fieldwork expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Clarity of objectives and implementation strategy
- Feasibility with available resources and timeline
- Quality of leadership, management and innovation ecosystem knowledge
- Strength and relevance of co-applicants and collaborators
- Plan for equity, diversity and inclusion outcomes
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit a letter of intent through the Convergence Portal.
- Prepare the LOI for the first-stage review.
- Submit by the LOI deadline.
- Step 2: Wait for invitation to apply.
- NSERC reviews the LOI.
- Selected applicants are invited to prepare a full proposal.
- Step 3: Submit the full application.
- Complete the full proposal in the Convergence Portal.
- Submit by the full application deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed administratively for accuracy and eligibility.
- Eligible LOIs are assessed by a peer review committee using merit criteria.
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a full application.
- Full applications are peer reviewed and then recommended for funding or not.
- If approved, applicants receive an award letter with the funding terms.
Additional information
- Only one preparatory funding application can be submitted per network.
- The program is intended to support up to six networks in its inaugural competition.
- Training, services and programs funded must be open to participants outside the network.
- Grant recipients must regularly report on fund use, activities and outcomes.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Lab to Market grants Program
What is the Lab to Market grants?
Lab to Market grants provide up to $10 million per year for networks that build entrepreneurial skills training in Canadian post-secondary institutions. The program supports collaboration, mentorship, training and knowledge mobilization activities across natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and health.
How much funding can be received?
Lab to Market grants Funds up to $10,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Lab to Market grants program?
To be eligible for the Lab to Market grants program, you must:
Eligible Canadian post-secondary network
At least two post-secondary institutions
Meets NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC eligibility
What expenses are eligible under Lab to Market grants?
Developing and delivering entrepreneurial skills training networks
Training, mentorship and practical learning for researchers and HQP
Online learning modules and virtual training content
Business coaching, knowledge sharing and collaboration activities
Connections to innovation networks and commercialization support
Who can I contact for more information about the Lab to Market grants?
You can contact Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) by email at l2m-lam@nserc-crsng.gc.ca or by phone at 1-855-275-2861.
Where is the Lab to Market grants available?
The Lab to Market grants program is available across Canada.
Is the Lab to Market grants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Lab to Market grants is a Partnering and Collaboration