Lab to Market grants
Canada
Apply for the Lab to Market grants to transform your academic research into market-ready innovations.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateFebruary 12, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 09, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The Lab to Market grants support Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliates in creating and sustaining networks for entrepreneurial skills training. These grants, up to $10 million annually for a duration of five years (renewable), aim to transform academic research into innovations applicable across various sectors. Eligible activities include collaborative plans with multiple institutions and organizations to develop and implement entrepreneurial training programs.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to networks of Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliates. The eligible geographical area for applicants is outlined by the Canadian federal granting agencies involved.
- Canadian provinces and territories encompassing post-secondary institutions.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$800,000
Establishing a social innovation hub at the University of British Columbia
$500,000
Developing a bilingual entrepreneurial mentorship program at McGill University
$400,000
Creating a networking platform for commercialization projects at Dalhousie University
$650,000
Implementing a strategic partnership to develop innovation labs at the University of Calgary
$550,000
Creating a comprehensive entrepreneurial training program at the University of Toronto
$450,000
Launching an entrepreneurial skills training initiative at the University of Alberta
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Lab to Market grant is determined by specific requirements related to the composition and collaboration of networks in the Canadian post-secondary landscape.
- Networks must consist of eligible Canadian universities, colleges, hospitals, and other research centres conducting research in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, or health.
- A minimum of two post-secondary institutions must be included in each network, although having a broader network with diverse membership is encouraged.
- The lead institution must meet the eligibility requirements of one of the three federal granting agencies: NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC.
- The network must have strategic partnerships and collaborations with organizations contributing to entrepreneurial skills training programs.
- All participating institutions and affiliated organizations are considered co-applicants, with the lead institution acting as the primary applicant.
- Applications must be submitted to NSERC.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Networks of eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions may apply to the Lab to Market grant program. Institutions must meet the eligibility requirements of any of the three federal granting agencies — NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC. The network must choose a lead institution that will function as the applicant. Other institutions and affiliated organizations are considered co-applicants. All applications must be submitted to NSERC. Applications will be funded by the relevant agency.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Lab to Market grants are designed to facilitate the transition of academic research into market-ready innovations through various collaborative and training initiatives. Eligible projects aim to establish and enhance networks that deliver entrepreneurial skills training within the academic community across multiple disciplines.
- Creation and support of networks involving at least two or more post-secondary institutions delivering entrepreneurial skills training.
- Development and implementation of collaborative plans with organizations to enhance entrepreneurial skills programs.
- Initiatives that foster commercialization and social innovation capabilities within the academic communities.
- Engagement with private, public, and not-for-profit sectors to support commercialization efforts of academic research.
- Services and activities designed to reach a national audience, including offering content in both official languages.
- Support for projects facilitating the knowledge mobilization process from research to market application in various sectors.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of collaborative entrepreneurial skills training programs and network activities.
- Operational costs associated with managing and facilitating the network.
- Personnel salaries and benefits for roles directly supporting the network's activities.
- Development and delivery of entrepreneurial skills training programs.
- Travel and accommodation expenses for network meetings and events.
- Collaboration and partnership-building activities.
- Materials and resources necessary for training and program delivery.
- Technology and digital infrastructure to support network operations.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for the Lab to Market grants are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives.
- Innovation and potential impact of proposed entrepreneurial skills training initiatives.
- Extent and strength of collaboration between participating institutions and external partners.
- Feasibility and robustness of the network’s strategic plan to deliver activities and achieve national coverage.
- Inclusiveness and accessibility of services in both official languages, benefiting a diverse range of Canadian researchers and HQP.
- Capability to nurture commercialization and social innovation within the academic community.
- Demonstrated commitment to long-term sustainability and scalability of the network’s impact.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Lab to Market grant:
- Step 1: Network Formation and Lead Institution Selection
- Identify and form a network of eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions.
- Select a lead institution to act as the primary applicant on behalf of the network.
- Step 2: Establish Collaborative Plans
- Develop collaborative plans with organizations contributing to entrepreneurial skills training programs.
- Engage in forming strategic partnerships to enhance network breadth and impact.
- Step 3: Letter of Intent (LOI) Preparation and Submission
- Draft a Letter of Intent outlining the proposed network and objectives.
- Ensure the LOI highlights how the network will deliver entrepreneurial skills training.
- Submit the LOI by the deadline of February 12, 2024, to NSERC.
- Step 4: Full Proposal Development
- Upon invitation, develop a full proposal detailing the network's plans, funding needs, and expected outcomes.
- Incorporate feedback received from NSERC upon acceptance of the LOI, if applicable.
- Step 5: Full Proposal Submission
- Submit the full proposal by the deadline of September 9, 2024, to NSERC.
- Ensure that all documentation is complete and submitted through the appropriate portals or methods specified by NSERC.
- Step 6: Review and Confirmation
- Receive confirmation from NSERC regarding the receipt and status of your application.
- Await feedback or decision notifications according to the timelines provided by NSERC.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Lab to Market grants program aims to support commercialization and social innovation within the Canadian academic community by developing entrepreneurial skills and fostering collaboration across various sectors.
- Focus on creating and sustaining networks for entrepreneurial skills training.
- Requires participation from at least two post-secondary institutions.
- Aims for national coverage with broad geographic reach and diverse viewpoints.
- Supported by NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC.
- Letter of Intent due: February 12, 2024.
- Full proposal due: September 9, 2024.
- Encourages the use of both official languages relevant to participants across Canada.
- Limited to a maximum of six networks in the inaugural competition cycle.
- Applicants must meet eligibility requirements of NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC.
Apply to this program
An Empowering Grant to Propel Research into Markets
The Lab to Market grants aim to support Canadian post-secondary institutions in transforming their academic discoveries into impactful market innovations. They facilitate long-term collaborations among educational institutions, private enterprises, and public sectors to foster entrepreneurial skills needed for successful commercialization.
Unlocking the Potential of Academic Innovations through Lab to Market Grants
Lab to Market grants represent a pivotal opportunity for Canadian universities, colleges, and research centers to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. By providing up to $10 million per year for a period of five years, these grants empower post-secondary institutions to create and sustain networks that cultivate entrepreneurial skill sets crucial for bringing academic innovations to the market. The initiative encourages robust collaboration among at least two post-secondary institutions, although more extensive networks with a wide array of members are highly recommended to enhance the impact and diversity of perspectives.
The grants support initiatives across several disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and health. Institutions are encouraged to align with organizations from various sectors—public, private, and not-for-profit—to develop comprehensive entrepreneurial training programs that equip researchers and highly qualified personnel (HQP) with the essential tools and knowledge for innovation. By facilitating technology transfer and fostering social innovation capabilities, Lab to Market grants aim to embed entrepreneurial acumen within the academic culture.
As part of Canada's commitment, articulated in Budget 2022, to enhance the nation's innovation landscape, this inaugural grant cycle will prioritize a limited number of networks, enhancing the strategic focus and potential impact on participating institutions. Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in cooperation with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the program underscores the importance of comprehensive strategic partnerships and collaborations in building successful training networks.
The application process consists of two stages: an initial letter of intent by February 12, 2024, followed by a full proposal due by September 9, 2024. Successful networks are expected to deliver their programs across Canada, offering services and training activities in both official languages to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. By doing so, Lab to Market grants aim to achieve national coverage and a broad geographic reach, thus enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem across different regions and disciplines.
Lab to Market grants are not just a funding opportunity; they are a strategic platform for fostering innovation, nurturing new ventures, and embedding a culture of research-driven entrepreneurship across Canada's academic landscape. By participating, Canadian institutions contribute to a paradigm shift where academic research routinely transforms into market-ready solutions, driving forward the economy and addressing pressing societal challenges.
