Lab to Market grants

The Lab to Market grants provide structured annual funding to facilitate network development and the implementation of entrepreneurial training programs. The grants aim to ensure comprehensive support for long-term project sustainability and innovation.

• The grants offer up to $10 million per year to support eligible networks.
• Funding is available for a duration of up to 5 years, with the possibility of renewal.
• The grants support collaboration between multi-institutional networks, including post-secondary institutions and partners from private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.
• Funding covers activities related to entrepreneurial skills development and innovation fostering within the academic landscape.
• Grant proposals must include plans for collaborative engagement with relevant organizations to enhance training and program outcomes.

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.

Who is eligible?

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.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is accessible to networks of eligible post-secondary institutions across Canada. The goal is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide.

• All provinces and territories in Canada.

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.

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.