OCI — ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
ON, Canada
ENCQOR 5G SME Program for Ontario technology development
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program provides funding to Ontario-based SMEs to partner with ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms, focusing on the development, integration, testing, or validation of pre-commercial 5G technologies within TRL levels 1-7. Eligible activities must align with Challenge Statements posted on a rolling basis, with the goal of generating economic, environmental, or social benefits for Ontario, though the specific maximum funding amount is not explicitly mentioned in the context provided.
grant_single_labels|projects
The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program focuses on developing, integrating, testing, or validating pre-commercial 5G technologies. The projects must respond to specific Challenge Statements and aim to enhance the technological capabilities of Ontario-based SMEs.
- Development of innovative 5G technologies responding to posted Challenge Statements.
- Integration of new technologies within the Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed.
- Testing and validation of 5G technologies in line with targeted technology readiness levels (TRL 1-7).
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 200,000
Testing a 5G-powered augmented reality shopping experience application
$ 300,000
Development of a 5G-enabled remote health monitoring system
$ 350,000
Validation of a 5G-based drone delivery system for medical supplies
$ 300,000
Integration of 5G technology in autonomous farming equipment for better yield
$ 250,000
Integration of 5G technology in smart city infrastructure for traffic management
$ 250,000
Development of a 5G-compatible sensor network for environmental monitoring
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant company's profile.
- The applicant company must be an Ontario-based for-profit company with more than 50% of employees based in Ontario.
- The applicant company must be of SME scale, with less than 500 employees in Ontario.
- Additional eligibility criteria may be applied as specified by the Challenge Statement.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The applicant company must be an Ontario-based for-profit company, with more than 50% of its employees based in Ontario and must be of SME scale, meaning it has less than 500 employees in Ontario. Additionally, applicants must partner with an ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm (Ciena, Ericsson, Thales) to undertake projects that are in response to the posted Challenge Statement and fall within TRL level 1-7. The project should also demonstrate commercial potential for the applicant and provide economic benefit to Ontario.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Yes, certain types of companies are not eligible for the ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program:
- Non-profit organizations
- Companies not based in Ontario
- Companies with more than 500 employees
- Companies not meeting additional eligibility criteria specified by Challenge Statements
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development Program invites Ontario SMEs to collaborate with anchor firms on advancing 5G technologies. Eligible projects aim to innovate and integrate pre-commercial 5G technology solutions to benefit Ontario economically and socially.
- Projects developed in response to specific Challenge Statements from ENCQOR 5G anchor firms.
- Development, integration, testing, or validation of 5G pre-commercial technologies within TRL levels 1-7.
- Proposals must demonstrate potential commercial impact and economic benefits for Ontario.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available for small- and medium-sized enterprises situated specifically in Ontario, Canada. Eligibility is based on the company's location to align with provincial innovation strategies.
- Ontario-based companies.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program has specific evaluation and selection criteria, including an initial EOI process and a full application review, to ensure alignment with program objectives and the potential for economic benefits to Ontario.
- Addresses ENCQOR 5G anchor firms’ Challenge Statements and needs
- Demonstrates applicability and benefit to the specified 5G technology leading to novel, newly-adapted or adopted processes, products, or services
- Demonstrates innovation in the context of current technical and commercial developments
- Demonstrates appropriate skills, resources, and methodology to complete the project
- Demonstrates an opportunity for close collaboration between the Applicant company and the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
- Demonstrates opportunity for HQP training, including graduate students
- Is highly likely to be commercialized/implemented and generate economic benefit for Ontario
- Anticipates tangible deliverables in the form of new technologies, new processes, significant skills transfer, job creation, or other benefits to society
- Clarity of the significance of the opportunity and expected economic benefit to the Applicant Company, the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner and Ontario
- Ability of the innovation to address the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm partner challenge
- Expertise and experience of the team members, clarity of roles and responsibilities, and evidence of collaboration
- Clarity, feasibility, and appropriateness of the project plan and budget
- Evidence of next steps and clear strategy and capacity to bring the results to market and/or implement at the company
- Overall quality and completeness of the application
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional miscellaneous information about the grant includes details on project metrics, reporting requirements, and contact information for support.
- Project funds are disbursed based on interim progress and claims reports submitted at specified intervals (3, 6, 12, and 18 months).
- Eligible expenses generally include salaries, benefits of staff and contractors, and operating costs to achieve milestones (capital costs are not eligible).
- Final reports must be submitted within 30 days of project completion to release the holdback and maintain good financial standing with OCI.
- Annual metrics surveys are required if the project extends past fiscal year-end (March 31).
- Retrospective surveys are sent at one, two, and three years after project completion to assess commercial outcomes.
- Material project changes, including partners, scope of work, or eligible expenses, should be communicated to the Program Manager.
- For variances to the budget of $5,000 or greater, or if an extension to the project end date is needed, a Project Change Request form must be completed prior to the project end date.
- Contact Natalia Lobo, Program Manager, at NLobo@oc-innovation.ca for questions about the program.
grant_single_labels|contact
NLobo@oc-innovation.ca
Apply to this program
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