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Source verified September 16, 2026
OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program
Funding for Ontario SME 5G technology development
Latest source updateLast Update: September 16, 2026Latest change: New official ENCQOR 5G materials now describe a Demonstration Program and an Academic Program, with materially different applicants, project scope, funding terms, application steps, and contacts.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 16, 2026
Latest change: New official ENCQOR 5G materials now describe a Demonstration Program and an Academic Program, with materially different applicants, project scope, funding terms, application steps, and contacts.
ENCQOR 5G program details updated
New official ENCQOR 5G materials now describe a Demonstration Program for Ontario SMEs and a separate Academic Program for publicly funded post-secondary researchers, which materially changes who can apply and the kinds of projects covered. The Demonstration Program guidelines now show 50% funding of eligible project costs up to $50,000 with a minimum 1:1 SME cash match, while the Academic Program shows 100% OCI support of eligible costs with an academic overhead cap of 10%. The newly available materials also add rolling-intake and two-step application instructions, required supporting documents, and an updated program contact at vsadr@oc-innovation.ca for the Demonstration Program, alongside Natalia Lobo at NLobo@oc-innovation.ca for the Academic Program.
Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
An Innovation-Driven Enterprise (IDE), using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets.
See full eligibility
Overview
This program supports Ontario SMEs developing 5G technologies with ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms. It funds collaborative projects to develop, integrate, test, or validate pre-commercial solutions, up to 100% of total eligible project costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Projects developed in response to the posted Challenge Statement.
- Development, integration, testing or validation of pre-commercial technologies that form the iPaaS testbed.
- Project activities may vary from R&D to later stage validation.
- 5G technology development projects with an Innovation Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed link.
Documents Needed
- Resumes/CVs from relevant team members
- Letter of Interest from the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- An Innovation-Driven Enterprise (IDE), using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets.
- For-profit, incorporated in Ontario or Canada, and has a valid CRA business number.
- A small-to-medium size enterprise (SME - less than 500 employees in Ontario).
- Has operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project.
- Has 50 per cent or more of its full-time employees located as their ordinary place of work in Ontario.
Who is not eligible
- Non-Ontario-based companies
- Organizations that are not for-profit
- Businesses with 500 or more employees in Ontario
- Applicants without an ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm partner
Eligible expenses
- Staff and contractor salaries and benefits
- Operating costs needed to achieve project milestones
- Project-related subcontractor and consultant fees
- Project materials, equipment, and test hardware or software
- Eligible internship support through TalentEdge funding
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital costs and full purchase price of long-life equipment
- Costs outside Ontario unless pre-approved
- Proposal development and general administrative costs
- Meals, entertainment, gifts, and alcoholic beverages
- Selling and marketing expenses
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- EOIs that address ENCQOR 5G anchor firms’ Challenge Statements and needs.
- Projects that demonstrate applicability and benefit to the specified 5G technology and lead to novel, newly-adapted or adopted processes, products, or services that keep the iPaaS testbed cutting edge.
- Projects that demonstrate appropriate skills, resources and methodology to complete the project.
- Projects that demonstrate an opportunity for close collaboration between the Applicant company and the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm.
- Full applications are evaluated on the significance of the opportunity, the ability of the innovation to address the challenge, the clarity, feasibility and appropriateness of the project plan and budget, the strategy to bring the results to market, and the overall quality and completeness of the application.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the active Challenge Statement
- Check the posted challenge and confirm fit with your project idea.
- Complete the Expression of Interest in AccessOCI after speaking with OCI’s Business Development Manager.
- Step 2: Submit the Expression of Interest
- Provide the required EOI information in the online system.
- Wait for OCI and the Anchor Firm review.
- Step 3: Receive invitation to full application
- If selected, access the full application module in AccessOCI.
- Prepare the Letter of Interest and supporting CVs.
- Step 4: Submit the full application
- Complete the full application in AccessOCI.
- Request OCI Business Development Manager endorsement and submit before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Expression of Interest is reviewed for eligibility and completeness
- Anchor Firm reviews fit with the Challenge Statement
- OCI makes the final invitation decision for full applications
- Approved applicants are asked to execute required agreements before activation
- Funding is released only after required reports are approved
Additional information
- Challenge Statements are posted on a rolling basis.
- The program is discretionary and has limited funding.
- An initial Expression of Interest is required before a full application invitation.
- Applicants must work with a Business Development Manager during the process.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program Program
What is the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program?
This program supports Ontario SMEs developing 5G technologies with ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms. It funds collaborative projects to develop, integrate, test, or validate pre-commercial solutions, up to 100% of total eligible project costs.
How much funding can be received?
OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program?
To be eligible for the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program, you must:
Ontario-based for-profit SME
Project must match an active Challenge Statement
Must partner with an ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
What expenses are eligible under OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program?
Projects developed in response to the posted Challenge Statement.
Development, integration, testing or validation of pre-commercial technologies that form the iPaaS testbed.
Project activities may vary from R&D to later stage validation.
5G technology development projects with an Innovation Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed link.
Who can I contact for more information about the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program?
You can contact Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) by email at NLobo@oc-innovation.ca.
Where is the OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program available?
The OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program program is available the province of Ontario.