NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program

• Completed proposal answering the six required questions
• Risk register, project milestone schedule, and work breakdown structure
• Application Agreement
• IP Tables
• SME Declaration Form

Who is eligible?

• New and existing cluster organizations
• Existing advanced manufacturing clusters taking on a new or expanded work-scope
• Newly activated or reactivated advanced manufacturing clusters with a majority of SME members
• Start-up cluster projects with an initial partnership of five or more Canadian SME manufacturers

Eligible expenses

• Gross wages, salaries, contracts, mandatory employment-related costs, and benefits for Project Activities
• Equipment, facilities, supplies, materials, user fees, room or facility rentals, telecommunication expenses, and capital expenditures linked to the project
• Travel costs, including meal and accommodation costs, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive
• Dissemination costs, incremental cybersecurity costs directly related to participation in Recipient-Funded Activities, payments to federal entities, honoraria to support Indigenous participation, and other direct costs such as market studies
• On an exceptional basis, Program Delivery costs incurred outside of Canada are eligible if necessary for the success of the project and could not otherwise be undertaken in Canada, with prior approval by NGen

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Public sector advocacy and lobbying
• Activities unrelated to advanced manufacturing or benefiting only one firm
• Retroactive costs incurred before contracting
• Construction, land or building purchases, and unrelated infrastructure or equipment
• Interest, late fees, fines, penalties, gifts, entertainment, alcohol, and unaccounted grants or scholarships

• Reviewed by three independent assessors; the aggregated score determines the decision
• Clarity of the project opportunity and objectives
• Expected economic and ecosystem benefits
• Sustainability of results after funding ends
• Strength of the workplan, risks, and financial commitment

• Applicants must submit a proposal.
• Complete the Funding Intake and Screening Form online; use the French form link to submit in French.

• Proposals are reviewed by a panel of three independent assessors, and the aggregated score of the assessors is the basis of NGen’s funding decision.
• Successful applicants must conclude a Cluster Accelerator Agreement with NGen as a condition of funding.
• Applicants that are not successful will be notified of the reasons why and may resubmit an amended application at a future date.
• No external appeals will be entertained unless there is evidence that the processes described in the guidelines have not been followed; in that case, appeals are considered by the Governance and Compliance Committee of NGen’s Board of Directors in consultation with NGen’s legal counsel.

• NGen membership is free for participating organizations.
• Successful applicants must sign a Cluster Accelerator Agreement with NGen.
• Unsuccessful applicants may resubmit an amended application later.