Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Canada
Funding for international industrial R&D
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateApril 22, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
Partnering and Collaboration
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Canada
- Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
- Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $600,000 in funding to cover up to 50% of research and development project expenses while working with a foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Israel or South Korea.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are project and activities eligible for this grant.
- Partnership Development Activities (PDAs)
- Collaborative research and development projects
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$102,000
Winnipeg
Enhance agricultural practices with a partner in South Korea
$167,000
Montreal
Develop a medical device in cooperation with a partner in India
$175,000
Vancouver
Research renewable energy solutions in partnership with a firm in China
$111,500
Calgary
Study the impact of climate change in Lakeland areas with Brazilian counterparts
$120,000
Toronto
Develop a new software solution in collaboration with a partner in Brazil
$88,000
Ottawa
Create a cultural exchange program with partners in Israel
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) grant, companies must fulfill certain criteria that ensure they are prepared for collaborative R&D projects with potential for commercialization.
- Incorporated, for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees
- Ready to collaborate on an R&D project with a foreign partner
- Seeking to commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes
- Own or co-own the intellectual property of the technology that will be commercialized
- Have sufficient resources to support the shared cost of attending the Partnership Development Activity (PDA)
- Not entirely funded by Canadian government organizations (federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal or Crown corporations)
- Have a world-class, distinguishable, and protectable technology which may already be commercialized in Canada
- Have sufficient resources to make a serious new market entry push
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant is open to specific types of companies in Canada. The eligible companies are those that are incorporated, for-profit small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to develop new or improved products, services, or processes with a high potential for commercialization.
- Incorporated, profit-oriented SMEs
- Up to 500 full-time equivalent employees
- Ready to collaborate on an R&D project with a foreign partner
- Seeking to commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes
- Own or co-own the intellectual property of the technology to be commercialized
- Have sufficient resources to support the shared cost of the project
- Not entirely funded by Canadian government organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain companies are not eligible for the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP). These ineligible companies must meet specific conditions outlined below:
- Companies that are entirely funded by Canadian government organizations (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, or Crown corporations).
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs for both Partnership Development Activities and Collaborative Research and Development projects.
- Salary costs
- Contractors' fees
- Reasonable travel costs
- Economy class airfare
- Accommodations
- Meals (per diems)
- Local transportation
- Translation and marketing material
- Conference and tradeshow fees
- Photocopies or printed material
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are countries where partnering for research and development with Canadian companies is supported.
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Israel
- South Korea
- Taiwan
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) evaluates applications based on a company's readiness for collaboration and commercialization, as well as the project's potential for technological innovation and market impact.
- Company's readiness for collaboration with a foreign partner
- Potential for commercialization of the new or improved product, service, or process
- Ownership or co-ownership of the intellectual property
- Sufficient resources to support the shared costs of the R&D project
- World-class, distinguishable, and protectable technology
- Project's potential for technological innovation
- Impact on new market entry and market risks mitigation
- Alignment with CIIP targeted countries (Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, Taiwan)
- Feasibility of the project and its milestones
- Proposed budget and its alignment with funding guidelines
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that your company is incorporated, profit-oriented, and a small to medium-sized enterprise with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Ensure you are ready to collaborate on an R&D project with a foreign partner.
- Confirm ownership or co-ownership of the intellectual property of the technology to be commercialized.
- Ensure that your company is not entirely funded by Canadian government organizations.
- Step 2: Identify Potential Partnership Opportunities
- Participate in Partnership Development Activities (PDAs) to facilitate collaborative R&D projects.
- Network, educate, and matchmake with potential foreign partners in Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, or Taiwan.
- Step 3: Prepare Project Proposal
- Outline the proposed collaborative R&D project highlighting the technology adaptation, validation, or co-development aspects.
- Demonstrate the potential for commercialization, either in a foreign or Canadian market.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Gather required documentation, including proof of incorporation, project proposal, and detailed budget.
- Complete the application form provided by the Trade Commissioner Service.
- Submit the application along with all necessary documentation to the designated contact points.
- Step 5: Application Review and Approval
- Wait for the application to be reviewed by the Trade Commissioner Service and the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.
- Respond to any requests for additional information or clarification during the review process.
- Step 6: Agreement and Funding
- Upon approval, sign the funding agreement specifying the terms and conditions.
- Receive funding of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $600,000 for R&D projects, and $15,000 for PDAs.
- Step 7: Project Execution and Reporting
- Execute the approved R&D project in collaboration with the foreign partner.
- Maintain detailed records of expenditures and activities.
- Submit regular progress reports as required under the funding agreement.
- Step 8: Project Completion and Final Reporting
- Complete the R&D project as outlined in the proposal.
- Submit a final report detailing outcomes, expenditures, and the potential for commercialization.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) assists Canadian SMEs in finding international R&D partnerships and provides substantial funding support for projects aimed at commercialization.
- CIIP targets projects in Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.
- The program offers up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $15,000 for Partnership Development Activities (PDAs).
- For Collaborative R&D Projects, CIIP provides up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $600,000.
- Eligible expenses include salary costs, contractors' fees, travel costs, translation and marketing material, conference and tradeshow fees, and photocopies or printed material.
- Companies must own or co-own the intellectual property of the technology to be commercialized.
- Applicants must have sufficient resources to support the shared costs of attending PDAs and making a serious new market entry push.
grant_single_labels|contact
innovation@international.gc.ca
Apply to this program
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) Summary
The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises to collaborate with international partners on research and development projects poised for commercialization. The program provides funding and networking opportunities to help these companies mitigate market entry risks and reduce costs associated with technology adaptation, co-development, and validation.
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP): Comprehensive Guide
The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP), managed by the Trade Commissioner Service in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), is a vital initiative aimed at bolstering Canada's economic footprint on the global stage. Targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this program is meticulously designed to foster international research and development (R&D) partnerships that can lead to the commercialization of new or improved products, services, or processes. This comprehensive guide delves into the essentials of the CIIP, its benefits, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.
Program Objectives and Benefits
The primary objective of CIIP is to facilitate and support Canadian SMEs in establishing R&D collaborations with partners from specific international markets. These markets include:
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Israel
- South Korea
- Taiwan
By doing so, CIIP aims to help Canadian companies:
- Access Credible Partners: CIIP assists in identifying and connecting with reliable foreign partners, easing the initial steps toward a successful collaboration.
- Find New Markets: Technology partnering enables Canadian companies to explore and penetrate new international markets, thus broadening their customer base and revenue streams.
- Reduce Market Entry Risks: The program mitigates risks associated with entering a foreign market, such as technological adaptation and co-development challenges.
- Lower Costs: CIIP alleviates some of the financial burdens associated with technology adaptation, validation, and other market entry expenses.
- Gain Collaborative Opportunities: The program offers numerous opportunities to engage in joint R&D projects, fostering innovation and driving growth.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for CIIP funding, Canadian companies must meet specific eligibility criteria. These include:
- SME Status: The company must be a small or medium-sized enterprise with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Profit-Oriented: The company must be incorporated and operate on a profit-oriented basis.
- R&D Collaboration Readiness: The company must demonstrate readiness to engage in an R&D project with an international partner.
- Commercialization Potential: The company should be seeking to commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes.
- Intellectual Property (IP) Ownership: The company must own or co-own the IP of the technology to be commercialized.
- Resource Availability: The company must have sufficient resources to support the cost of attending Partnership Development Activities (PDAs) and to engage in R&D projects.
- Not Entirely Government-Funded: The company should not be fully funded by Canadian government organizations (federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal) or Crown corporations.
Funded Activities
CIIP provides funding for two primary categories of activities:
Partnership Development Activities (PDAs)
PDAs are designed to facilitate the creation of collaborative R&D projects between Canadian companies and foreign partners. These activities include:
- Networking Events: Opportunities for Canadian SMEs to meet potential international partners.
- Educational Workshops: Sessions aimed at providing insights into R&D collaborations and market entry strategies.
- Matchmaking Sessions: Organized events to pair Canadian companies with suitable foreign partners.
CIIP can cover up to 50% of eligible costs for PDA projects, with a maximum of $15,000 for approved initiatives. Eligible expenses under PDAs include economy class airfare, accommodations, meals (per diems), local transportation, translation and marketing materials, conference and trade show fees, and photocopies or printed materials.
Collaborative R&D Projects
CIIP supports Canadian SMEs in participating in collaborative R&D projects with foreign entities, with a focus on projects that are close to commercialization. These projects are categorized into three types:
- Technology Adaptation: Projects aimed at adapting already commercialized products to new markets, either foreign or domestic.
- Technology Validation: Projects involving new products that require technical and business validation from early adopter customers before commercialization.
- Technology Co-development: Projects that entail the creation of new products, services, or processes with no certain path to commercialization.
For R&D projects, CIIP can fund up to 50% of eligible costs, with a cap of $600,000 for approved initiatives. Eligible expenses in this category include salary costs, contractor fees, reasonable travel costs, and other project-related expenditures.
Application Process
Applying for CIIP funding involves several steps to ensure that the candidate company meets all the requirements and that the proposed project is viable and aligns with CIIP's objectives.
Step 1: Initial Assessment
Interested companies should conduct an initial assessment to determine their eligibility and the fit of their project with CIIP's criteria. This involves reviewing the eligibility requirements and ensuring the company meets all the necessary conditions.
Step 2: Preparing the Proposal
Once eligibility is confirmed, the next step is to prepare a detailed proposal. This should include:
- Project Description: A comprehensive outline of the R&D project, including objectives, methodologies, expected outcomes, and potential for commercialization.
- Collaboration Plan: Details of the foreign partner and the nature of the collaboration, including roles, responsibilities, and resource allocation.
- Budget: A detailed budget outlining all anticipated costs and the amount of CIIP funding requested.
- Market Analysis: An analysis of the target market, including market needs, competitive landscape, and potential barriers to entry.
- Commercialization Strategy: A strategy for bringing the product, service, or process to market, including marketing and sales plans.
Step 3: Submitting the Application
Submit the completed proposal to the CIIP through the appropriate channels. Ensure that all required documents are included, and the application is submitted by the specified deadline.
Step 4: Evaluation and Approval
Upon submission, the application will undergo an evaluation process. This involves reviewing the proposal against CIIP's criteria and assessing the project's potential for success. The evaluation committee may request additional information or clarifications during this stage.
If the application is approved, the company will receive a funding agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the CIIP support.
Step 5: Project Implementation and Reporting
After receiving approval, the company can commence the project as per the agreed plan. Throughout the project, the company is required to submit regular progress reports to CIIP, detailing the status of the project, achievements, and any challenges faced.
Upon project completion, a final report must be submitted, summarizing the outcomes, including the commercialization impact and any lessons learned.
Conclusion
The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) provides a significant opportunity for Canadian SMEs to engage in international R&D partnerships, leading to groundbreaking innovations and new market opportunities. By offering financial support and fostering collaboration, CIIP plays a crucial role in helping Canadian companies navigate the complexities of global commercialization and thrive in the competitive international landscape. For more detailed information and to stay updated on upcoming CIIP activities, interested companies are encouraged to subscribe to CIIP's mailing list and contact the Science, Technology and Innovation Division of Global Affairs Canada.
