These programs provide robust opportunities for Ontario universities to translate research into market-ready innovations through strategic industry collaborations.
Federal Programs
Purpose: Accelerates collaborative R&D between academia and industry, supporting projects that address real-world problems.
Eligibility: Requires an academic researcher partnering with a Canadian company or eligible partner organization.
Funding Details: Covers up to 100% of project costs for not-for-profit partners; cost-sharing applies for for-profit partners.
Unique Features: Encourages interdisciplinary research and provides optional support for international collaborations.
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Purpose: Funds internships where researchers (graduate students or postdocs) work on industry-defined challenges.
Eligibility: Requires a partnership with a Canadian business or eligible not-for-profit organization.
Funding Details: Provides $15,000-$20,000 per four-month internship unit, co-funded by Mitacs and the partner organization.
Unique Features: Highly flexible in terms of the scope of research and project length.
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Purpose: Invests in research infrastructure that supports commercialization and technology transfer efforts.
Eligibility: Open to Canadian universities to fund equipment and facilities for high-potential researchers.
Funding Details: Covers up to 40% of infrastructure costs, often matched by provincial or institutional contributions.
Unique Features: Often paired with other commercialization-focused funding programs for maximum impact.
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Purpose: Targets large-scale, transformative projects in innovation-intensive sectors such as health, clean technologies, and advanced manufacturing.
Eligibility: Available to Canadian businesses and institutions undertaking collaborative R&D projects.
Funding Details: No fixed percentage, but supports projects with significant commercialization potential.
Unique Features: Includes a "Networks of Centres of Excellence" stream for academic-industry collaboration.
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Purpose: Offers tax credits to encourage businesses to partner with universities for R&D.
Eligibility: Canadian businesses conducting eligible R&D activities with academic collaboration.
Funding Details: Provides refundable tax credits up to 35% for small businesses and 15% for large companies.
Unique Features: Compatible with other funding programs, allowing businesses to maximize R&D budgets.
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Purpose: Supports formal partnerships between academic researchers, businesses, and other partners to advance knowledge and understanding on critical issues of intellectual, social, economic, and cultural significance.
Eligibility: Open to eligible institutions and partners from Canadian or international organizations.
Funding Details: Provides up to $20,000 at Stage 1 and up to $2.5 million over 4-7 years at Stage 2.
Unique Features: Allows IP negotiation, supports distinct activities, and includes infrastructure funding options.
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Purpose: Accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology from academic institutions and promote its transfer to Canadian companies.
Eligibility: Open to college and university faculty members collaborating with Canadian companies or early-stage investment entities.
Funding Details: Offers support through four phases: Market Assessment (up to one year), Phase I (up to one year), Phase IIa (6 to 18 months), and Phase IIb (up to two years).
Market assessment
Phase I
Phase Ib
Phase IIa
Phase IIb
Form 100A required
Principal applicant only
Principal applicant and co-applicants
Duration (non-renewable)
Up to 12 months
Up to 12 months
Up to 6 months
6 to 18 months
Up to 24 months
Maximum amount requested from NSERC (% of project costs)
$15,000 (75%)
$125,000 (100%)
$60,000 (100%)
$125,000 (67%)
$350,000 (50%)
Technology transfer activities: additional funds needed from ILO or its equivalent
$5,000 (25%)
Half the cost supported by NSERC up to a maximum of 10% of the award. Institution or partner must cover the other half.
Additional funds needed from partner (cost/risk sharing)
N/A
N/A
N/A
$62,500 (33%)
50% of direct costs through in-kind and at least 40% cash
Unique Features: Provides funding for both direct research costs and certain project management expenses, with specific provisions for college faculty involvement.
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Purpose: To boost Canada's defence R&D, addressing emerging threats and evolving defence needs while generating economic benefits.
Eligibility: Open to Canadian and international innovators, including individuals, academia, industry, and not-for-profit organizations.
Funding Details: Provides up to $1.2 million in phased development funding through Competitive Projects and up to $3 million for Innovation Networks.
Unique Features: Offers multiple funding mechanisms, supports IP retention by recipients, and facilitates collaboration through sandboxes and test drives.
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Purpose: Accelerates the growth of small and medium-sized Canadian businesses through innovation services and funding.
Eligibility: Canadian profit-oriented SMEs with 500 or fewer full-time employees, aiming to grow through technology-driven innovation.
Funding Details: Provides financial support for R&D projects, with contributions ranging from under $50,000 to up to $10 million for larger projects.
Unique Features: Combines financial assistance with advisory services and connections to business and R&D expertise across Canada.
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Provincial Programs
Purpose: Supports high-impact research that has strong potential for commercialization and socio-economic benefits.
Eligibility: Projects led by Ontario-based institutions involving multi-disciplinary and industry collaboration.
Funding Details: Up to 1/3 of total project costs; remaining funding must be leveraged from other sources.
Unique Features: Prioritizes projects with significant industry partnerships or commercialization potential.
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Purpose: Connects academic researchers with Ontario-based SMEs to address business challenges through R&D.
Eligibility: Open to academic researchers partnered with an Ontario SME.
Funding Details: Offers up to $150,000 per project, shared equally between OCI and the industry partner.
Unique Features: Encourages rapid commercialization of research outcomes tailored to SME needs.
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Purpose: Helps new researchers build teams and conduct R&D with commercialization potential.
Eligibility: Open to early-career researchers at Ontario-based institutions.
Funding Details: Provides up to $140,000 in direct research costs, with an additional $50,000 for institutional support.
Unique Features: Focused on developing Ontario鈥檚 next generation of research leaders.
