OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program

• Funding covers 100% of total eligible project costs, subject to the maximum defined in each posted Challenge Statement.
• No industry partner financial contribution is required.
• Funds are disbursed through reimbursement based on submitted interim and final progress and claims reports.
• Capital costs are not eligible for funding.

• The applicant must be a for-profit, incorporated small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Ontario or Canada with fewer than 500 employees in Ontario.
• The company must have operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project.
• At least 50% of full-time employees must have Ontario as their ordinary place of work.
• The applicant must develop or use innovative technology or processes that provide a competitive advantage in relevant markets and address a Technology Development Challenge Statement in partnership with an ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm.
• The applicant and its project must be in good financial and reporting standing with OCI and be willing to collaborate, including entering into required agreements and sharing project outcomes.

Who is eligible?

• Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 employees
• For-profit, innovation-driven enterprises using or developing technology innovation
• Companies engaged in research and development and/or manufacturing related to 5G technology

Who is not eligible

• Companies that are not incorporated in Ontario or Canada.
• Businesses that do not have a valid CRA business number.
• Companies with more than 500 employees in Ontario.
• Organizations that do not have operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project.
• Applicants that do not have an arms-length relationship with the defined ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits of staff and contractors directly involved in the project.
• Operating costs that support achieving project milestones.

Eligible geographic areas

• Ontario

• Relevance and responsiveness to the ENCQOR 5G anchor firm's Challenge Statement and needs.
• Demonstration of innovation and benefit to 5G technology, contributing to new or improved processes, products, or services for the iPaaS testbed.
• Expertise, experience, and collaborative capacity of the project team.
• Clarity, feasibility, and suitability of the project plan and budget.
• Potential for commercialization and economic benefit for Ontario, including measurable deliverables such as new technologies, job creation, or skills development.

• Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are posted and accepted on a rolling basis for a minimum of four weeks per Challenge Statement.
• Applicants must complete all required interim and final project reports to maintain good financial standing with OCI.
• Annual metrics and retrospective surveys may be required up to three years after project completion to assess program impact.
• OCI does not claim or manage any intellectual property rights; IP is managed by the project participants.