SIF — Collaborations and Networks projects
Canada
Funding for collaborative business-led projects and innovation networks
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMarch 13, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
grant_single|grantors
- Innovation Canada
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Receive contributions for large, collaborative business-led projects and innovation networks amongst industry researchers, national and regional research institutes, academic institutions, and Canadian small-and-medium-sized enterprises or multi-national
grant_single_labels|projects
The eligible geographical areas for companies applying for this grant are not explicitly specified, but eligibility is based on being incorporated in Canada. Thus, it applies potentially to the entire country.
- All provinces and territories of Canada, as eligibility requires incorporation within Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$500,000
Collaborative development of sustainable packaging technology
$850,000
Demonstration of renewable energy microgrid technology
$900,000
Industrial research for green hydrogen production technology
$450,000
Development of a new AI-driven financial analytic tool
$600,000
Technology demonstration for smart farming solutions
$750,000
Collaborative development of low-emission construction materials
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's corporate structure and collaborative approach.
- The lead applicant must be a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada or a for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada.
- The applicant should have the capability to manage and lead a network project as per the Contribution Agreement terms.
- Collaboration with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations, and/or not-for-profit entities is required.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Organizations eligible to apply as a lead applicant for the Collaborations and Networks category of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) must be: - A not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada.- A for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Based on the grant context, any entities that are not-for-profit organizations incorporated outside of Canada are not eligible for this grant.
- Not-for-profit organizations incorporated outside of Canada
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports large, collaborative business-led projects and innovation networks in Canada, focusing on areas of national advantage. These initiatives encourage technological advancement and commercialization through various strategic activities.
- Industrial research projects aimed at discovering new knowledge to develop technology-driven products.
- Processes or services development at early-stage technology readiness levels including fundamental research activities and R&D phases.
- Technology demonstrations advancing new technologies into product-specific applications at mid- and late-stage technology readiness levels, with a focus on commercialization.
- Developing technologies with clear paths to commercialization in priority funding areas.
- Creating collaboration among industry researchers, national and regional research institutes, academic institutions, and Canadian businesses.
- Providing financial support for collaborative projects within the R&D community.
- Collaborative technology development and demonstration projects focusing on industrial research and large-scale technology demonstration.
- Collaborations with SMEs, research councils, and original equipment manufacturers to develop new products using academic research findings.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:
- Eligibility of lead applicant and project partners
- Demonstrated need and benefits for Canada
- Alignment with funding priorities and areas of advantage
- Clarity of project objectives and outcomes
- Feasibility and sustainability of the proposed project
- Level of collaboration and engagement with key players in the Canadian R&D community
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Initial Planning and Partnerships
- Identify eligible partners from Canadian universities, research institutes, and industry stakeholders.
- Discuss and outline potential project activities and goals.
- Step 2: Eligibility Check and Requirements
- Ensure that your organization fits the eligibility criteria as a lead applicant (not-for-profit or for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada).
- Review project costs, benefits for Canada, and funding conditions as outlined by the program.
- Step 3: Project Proposal Preparation
- Develop a comprehensive project proposal that includes objectives, scope, timelines, and expected outcomes.
- Detail how the project will enhance supply chains and strengthen ties between businesses and academia.
- Include a strategy for the network’s sustainability post-funding.
- Step 4: Compile Documentation
- Gather necessary supporting documents such as letters of support, financial statements, and detailed budgets.
- Prepare documentation that evidences each collaborator’s role and contribution to the project.
- Step 5: Online Application Submission
- Access the Strategic Innovation Fund’s application portal and create an account if necessary.
- Upload all required documentation and complete the online application form thoroughly.
- Review the application to ensure all information is accurate and complete.
- Submit the completed application before the specified deadline.
- Step 6: Follow-Up and Confirmation
- Receive a confirmation email with application reference details.
- Track your application progress through the portal if such a feature is available.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Projects should capitalize on areas where Canada has a proven technological or industrial advantage.
- Lead applicants must effectively manage collaboration activities and maintain strong ties between academia and industry.
- Networks must take full responsibility for the evaluation and management of the projects they choose to support.
- This program is focused on pre-commercial technology development and demonstration stages.
Apply to this program
Unlock Innovation with The Strategic Innovation Fund
Projects under the Collaborations and Networks category of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) propel large, collaborative business-driven initiatives and innovation networks, centered on areas where Canada exhibits a notable advantage. Successful applicants are entrusted with the critical role of managing the project and distributing funds responsibly, ensuring maximum impact and continuity.
Delving into the Strategic Innovation Fund’s Collaborations and Networks Category
The Strategic Innovation Fund’s Collaborations and Networks category offers a significant opportunity for Canadian organizations to spearhead transformative projects and innovation networks. It specifically caters to fostering national innovation networks and collaborative technology development through large-scale, high-impact projects that leverage Canada's intrinsic strengths in various scientific and technological fields. This endeavor not only propels advancement at the industrial research level but also facilitates the demonstration of burgeoning technologies by bridging early-stage discoveries with market-ready solutions.
These initiatives primarily dwell within Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 3 to 7 but are versatile enough to encompass the full spectrum of TRLs 1 to 9. The fund targets projects that carve out distinct commercial pathways in specified funding priority realms, which are pivotal for bolstering Canadian industrial objectives. By rallying an integral partnership framework involving academia, research institutions, and industry players—spanning small to large enterprises—the fund magnifies synergy across the R&D landscape.
Central to the execution of these projects is the concept of fostering efficient collaboration networks. The fund meticulously bankrolls projects that knit together key players—like industry researchers and local to national research institutes—to craft a robust ecosystem for developmental research. These entities congregate to explore and exploit novel knowledge avenues and pilot technological applications, aiming for near-market deployment. The projects are selected through a stringent competitive process ensuring alignment with indigenous innovative capacities and market demands.
One of the hallmark features of participating in these network projects is the provision of financial backing for collaborative efforts. By empowering these dynamic coalitions, the fund addresses critical supply chain enhancements, encouraging an integrative approach that amplifies ties between businesses and academic or research institutions. This symbiosis is paramount, as tangible outcomes from the supported projects encapsulate not just innovation but the operationalization of technologies poised for commercialization.
The applicant, as a lead, bears the immense responsibility of not only driving the project to fruition but also cultivating the network's sustainability through meticulous management practices. This entails comprehensive oversight ranging from applying for funds and managing financial contributions to effectively channeling these funds into promising areas and ensuring rigorous reporting on the achievements. By doing so, the lead applicant not only bolsters their project’s success but also sows the seeds for sustained innovation.
To harness the full potential of the Strategic Innovation Fund, it is imperative for organizations to articulate concrete advantages that their projects confer upon Canadian socio-economic landscapes. This is articulated through detailed projections of potential impacts on technological advancement, economic growth, and socio-cultural enrichment. The strategic intent lies in catalyzing a perpetual cycle of innovation that reinforces Canada's standing in key sectors of the global market.
Ultimately, the Collaborations and Networks category under the Strategic Innovation Fund presents a lucrative and structured pathway for organizations poised for innovation. It champions the transformation of research ambitions into viable market offerings, ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of technological ingenuity and competitive economic prowess.
