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
Eligible projects and activities under the Lab to Market grant are those that aim to develop and deliver entrepreneurial skills training and foster commercialization and social innovation capabilities within the academic community.
- Development and delivery of entrepreneurial skills training programs
- Collaboration between post-secondary institutions and private, public, and not-for-profit sectors
- Planning and implementing knowledge mobilization processes
- Creating networks dedicated to commercialization and social innovation
- Providing training and services to a diverse range of researchers and HQP
- Developing strategic partnerships and collaborations
- Offering services and activities in both official languages
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$800,000
Vancouver
Establishing a social innovation hub at the University of British Columbia
$500,000
Montreal
Developing a bilingual entrepreneurial mentorship program at McGill University
$400,000
Halifax
Creating a networking platform for commercialization projects at Dalhousie University
$650,000
Calgary
Implementing a strategic partnership to develop innovation labs at the University of Calgary
$550,000
Toronto
Creating a comprehensive entrepreneurial training program at the University of Toronto
$450,000
Edmonton
Launching an entrepreneurial skills training initiative at the University of Alberta
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for the Lab to Market grant are specified for networks of Canadian post-secondary institutions and associated organizations. The lead institution must meet the eligibility requirements of any of the three federal granting agencies—NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC.
- Networks of eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions may apply.
- Institutions must meet the eligibility requirements of NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC.
- The network must choose a lead institution to 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|zone
Eligible geographic zones for the Lab to Market grants include networks with broad geographic reach and national coverage across Canada, with activities and services offered in both official languages relevant to participants across Canada.
- Broad geographic reach within Canada
- National coverage
- Activities in both official languages
- Regional distribution of networks across the country
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Lab to Market grants focus on the quality, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed entrepreneurial skills training networks. The criteria also consider the strength of collaboration and partnerships, national coverage, and the inclusivity of services offered by the networks.
- Quality and feasibility of the proposed network
- Potential impact on the academic and broader entrepreneurial ecosystem
- Strength and diversity of partnerships and collaborations
- Geographic reach and national coverage
- Inclusivity of services and activities, including bilingual offerings
- Alignment with the objectives of fostering commercialization and social innovation
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI)
- Content: Develop an LOI outlining the network's vision, objectives, potential partnerships, and preliminary plans for the network.
- Implications: The LOI allows the granting agency to perform an initial assessment to determine the eligibility and feasibility of the proposed network.
- Step 2: Submit the LOI by February 12, 2024
- Content: Submit the completed LOI to NSERC.
- Implications: Submissions must meet the deadline and the criteria set by the grant program. Approval at this stage is necessary to proceed to the full proposal stage.
- Step 3: Receive feedback and invitation to submit full proposal
- Content: Await feedback from the LOI evaluation.
- Implications: If the LOI is approved, an invitation to submit a full proposal will be extended. This feedback may include guidance on how to strengthen the proposal.
- Step 4: Develop a full proposal
- Content: Prepare a comprehensive proposal detailing the network structure, strategic partnerships, detailed plans for entrepreneurial skills training, budget, and implementation strategies.
- Implications: The full proposal is an in-depth document that will require considerable effort, coordination among network members, and detailed planning to fulfil the program requirements.
- Step 5: Submit the full proposal by September 9, 2024
- Content: Submit the finalized full proposal to NSERC.
- Implications: Meeting this deadline is crucial to be considered for funding. The proposal must comply with all guidelines and requirements outlined by the grant program.
- Step 6: Evaluation and funding decision
- Content: Await the evaluation process by the relevant federal granting agency (NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC).
- Implications: The evaluation will determine whether the network will receive funding based on the quality and potential impact of the proposal.
- Step 7: Start the project upon approval
- Content: Begin project implementation as per the approved proposal.
- Implications: Funding will be disbursed, and the network can initiate its activities to develop entrepreneurial skills training based on the approved plan.
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
Summary of Lab to Market Grants
The Lab to Market grants provide up to $10 million per year for post-secondary institutions and their affiliates to create and sustain networks that develop and deliver entrepreneurial skills training. These grants aim to transform academic research into market-ready innovations, fostering collaboration among institutions and a variety of organizations from different sectors.
Understanding Lab to Market Grants: Transforming Academic Research into Market Innovations
The Canadian government is committed to enabling the transition of academic research into practical, marketable innovations. In alignment with this commitment, the Lab to Market grants were introduced in Budget 2022, providing major support for universities, colleges, hospitals, and other research entities. Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), these grants aim to equip researchers and highly qualified personnel (HQP) with the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to commercialize their research. This comprehensive guide will outline the key aspects of the Lab to Market grants, eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits.
Grant Overview
The Lab to Market grants are specifically designed to support networks of post-secondary institutions and their affiliates, including research hospitals and other eligible research centers, in creating and maintaining entrepreneurial skills training networks. The primary objective is to nurture commercialization and social innovation capabilities within the academic community, enabling researchers to turn their academic findings into market-ready innovations.
Successful grant recipients have the opportunity to receive up to $10 million per year for a period of up to five years, with the possibility of renewal. This substantial funding aims to provide stable, long-term support for the development and delivery of entrepreneurial skills training programs, contributing to the broader Canadian academic entrepreneurial landscape.
Collaboration and Network Requirements
One of the core aspects of the Lab to Market grants is the emphasis on collaboration. The training networks supported by these grants must include at least two post-secondary institutions, though a broader network consisting of multiple member institutions is highly encouraged. Such an extensive network is expected to enhance the reach and impact of entrepreneurial skills training programs, empowering researchers across various disciplines to engage in commercialization and knowledge mobilization processes.
The collaboration extends beyond academic institutions to include organizations from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. These partnerships are intended to provide crucial resources, services, and expertise, significantly enhancing the training and commercialization process. The inclusion of diverse organizations helps to create a robust and dynamic network that can effectively support the transition of academic research to market innovations.
Eligibility Criteria
Networks of eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply for the Lab to Market grants. To qualify, institutions must meet the eligibility requirements set by any of the three federal granting agencies—NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC. The network must designate a lead institution to function as the applicant, while other institutions and affiliated organizations are considered co-applicants.
It is essential for participating institutions to demonstrate their commitment to collaborative efforts that foster entrepreneurial skills among researchers and HQP. This includes outlining specific plans for developing and implementing entrepreneurial and commercialization skills training programs in the grant proposal.
Application Process
The Lab to Market grants application process involves two stages: the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a full proposal. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application steps:
1. Letter of Intent (LOI)
The first step in the application process is the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI). The LOI allows the granting agencies to assess the initial feasibility and scope of the proposed network and its activities. For the inaugural competition cycle, the due date for LOI submissions is February 12, 2024.
The LOI should include the following information:
- A brief description of the proposed network and its objectives.
- An outline of the collaborative plans with other post-secondary institutions and organizations from various sectors (private, public, not-for-profit).
- A summary of how the grant will support the development of entrepreneurial skills training and commercialization processes.
- Information about the lead institution and co-applicant institutions.
2. Full Proposal
Upon successful review of the LOI, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. The full proposal deadline for the first competition cycle is September 9, 2024. The full proposal should provide a comprehensive and detailed plan for the proposed network, including:
- An in-depth description of the network's structure, goals, and expected impact on the academic community's commercialization capabilities.
- A detailed outline of the training programs and activities that will be developed and implemented to foster entrepreneurial skills.
- Descriptions of the partnerships and collaborations with external organizations and stakeholders, including their roles and contributions.
- A comprehensive budget and timeline for the implementation and operation of the network.
- Plans for evaluating and measuring the effectiveness and outcomes of the network's activities.
Selection Criteria
The selection process for the Lab to Market grants is rigorous, with a focus on several key criteria. Networks proposing robust strategic partnerships, well-developed training programs, and significant contributions to national and regional entrepreneurial landscapes are more likely to receive funding. The evaluation criteria include:
- Impact: The potential of the proposed network to significantly enhance the commercialization and entrepreneurial skills of researchers and HQP.
- Collaboration: The strength and breadth of collaborations with other post-secondary institutions and external organizations.
- Feasibility: The practicality and viability of the network's plans, including the proposed budget and timeline.
- Inclusivity: The extent to which the network addresses diversity, offering services and activities in both official languages and reaching a wide range of participants across Canada.
- Innovation: The originality and creativity of the proposed approaches to developing and delivering entrepreneurial skills training.
Benefits of Receiving the Lab to Market Grant
Receiving a Lab to Market grant offers numerous benefits for post-secondary institutions and their affiliate organizations, including:
1. Significant Funding
The grants provide substantial financial support, with up to $10 million per year available for successful networks. This funding enables institutions to develop comprehensive and impactful training programs, contributing to Canada's academic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
2. Enhanced Collaboration
The emphasis on collaboration helps to foster partnerships between academic institutions and external organizations, creating a wider support network that enhances the commercialization process. This collaborative approach leverages the expertise and resources of a diverse range of stakeholders.
3. Entrepreneurial Skill Development
The grants aim to equip researchers and HQP with essential entrepreneurial skills, enhancing their ability to transform academic research into market-ready innovations. These skills are crucial for navigating the complexities of commercialization and knowledge mobilization.
4. National Coverage and Inclusivity
The Lab to Market grants ensure that training programs and services are accessible across Canada, addressing regional disparities and offering activities in both official languages. This inclusivity fosters a diverse and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
5. Long-Term Impact
The grants provide stable, long-term funding for up to five years, with the possibility of renewal. This sustained support enables networks to implement and refine their programs over time, maximizing their impact on the academic community's commercialization capabilities.
Conclusion
The Lab to Market grants represent a significant opportunity for Canadian post-secondary institutions to enhance their commercialization capabilities and foster entrepreneurial skills within the academic community. By leveraging substantial funding and emphasizing collaboration, these grants aim to transform academic research into market-ready innovations, contributing to the broader Canadian economy. Institutions interested in applying should carefully review the eligibility criteria and application process, ensuring they demonstrate robust strategic partnerships and comprehensive plans for developing and delivering entrepreneurial skills training programs. With the deadline for the Letter of Intent fast approaching, now is the time for institutions to start preparing their applications and seize this transformative opportunity.
