NRC-IRAP Industrial Research Assistance Program
ONEIA Seminar What’s Up at IRAP?
Oct. 10 2013 Presented by Craig Wardlaw
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IRAP Quick Facts
• Program of the National Research Council, reporting to Industry Canada
• >60 years in business, oldest funding program in the G20 • Approximately 250 Industrial Technology Advisors serving
more than 10,000 companies across Canada • IRAP assists Canadian SMEs who are developing
innovative products by providing advice and possibly funding
• The interaction between company and IRAP Advisor is based on a trusting relationship
• IRAP yearly funding doubled in 2012
What sort of financial support do we give?
Ø Non-repayable contributions to firms for R&D projects
Ø Small projects for business improvement or R&D (up to $50k contribution)
Ø Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)
Ø Contributions to organizations (innovation collaborators)
Ø Youth Employment Program (YEP)
Ø Support technical labour and sub-contracted labour only
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Basic Eligibility Criteria
Ø Innovating to create new products that have a significant potential market
Ø Funding decisions are based on the business case for the product and company and the anticipated overall benefits to Canada
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Ø Incorporated in Canada Ø 500 employees or less
Ø At least one full time salaried employee
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A Few IRAP Cleantech Companies
Ø Real Tech Inc., Whitby
Ø Trojan Technologies, London
Ø SanEcoTec, Ottawa
Ø UVPure, Scarborough
Ø Renteknik, Burlington
Ø Clear Blue Technologies, Toronto
Ø Clearpath Robotics, Kitchener
Ø Sensor Suite, Toronto
What’s New? Digital Technology Adoption
Pilot Program (DTAPP) • Is a component of the Government of Canada’s overall Digital Economy
Strategy Ø to accelerate digital technology adoption and investment in Canada,
which lags the U.S. and many other developed countries in this regard
Ø to consequently boost productivity of SMEs in all business sectors
• An $80 million pilot program that will run until March 31, 2014
• Is delivered by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program and its teams of Industrial Technology Advisors
• Funding to firms and colleges; project funding to help adopt digital technology and/or hire a technology specialist
• Only labour funded – installation, optimization, training, productivity assessment – firm pays capital costs
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What’s New?
OCE Vouchers Program
Ø IRAP has partnered with OCE and a number of other agencies to deliver a “voucher” program for Innovation and Productivity
Ø Firms can get support to work with a non-profit research institution (university, college, government institute) from a variety of programs with possible total support of $95k
Ø See OCE website or go directly to:
http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/collaboration-voucher-program/VIP/how-it-works
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What’s New? Vouchers for Academic Collaboration
Ø Still in development but coming soon
Ø IRAP Advisor will be able to give approved firms a “voucher” to work with a research institution (university, college, private or government institute)
Ø $20k max
Ø IRAP pays the institution directly
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What’s New? Canada Accelerator and Incubator
Program (CAIP)
Ø CAIP provides funding over a five year period in the form of non-repayable contributions to a limited number of best-in-class accelerators and incubators (i.e. fewer than 10) that meet strict eligibility and selection criteria
Ø Organizations chosen by competitive bid
Ø Bids due Oct. 31 2013
Ø See http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/caip/index.html
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Support to Organizations 2013-14
Ø Ontario Environment Industry Association • Production of marketing videos • Networking events specifically for innovative SMEs
Ø Southern Ontario Water Consortium • Networking events aimed at non-SOWC members • Outreach to potential new consortium members
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Sample ONEIA Video
Real Tech Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsISEVvtg-Y&feature=player_detailpage
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Craig Wardlaw (Oakville) 905-849-3796
Toll-free number: 1-877-994-4727 Web http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Contact us