NSERC – Idea to Innovation Grant

The NSERC Idea to Innovation fund helps accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector, and to promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company

Strategic Innovation Fund

The application should demonstrate what approach, activities, and tools (i.e., interviews, surveys, SWOT [strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats] analysis, and PEST [political, economic, social, and technological]) are planned to address these questions.

These studies are to be conducted by an experienced professional such as an outside consulting firm. An offer of service from the consultant listing the scope, deliverables, and other relevant elements is required.

NSERC will co-support up to 75% of the costs of the project contracted out to a consultant, with the institution providing the balance in cash. (Note that a person employed part-time or full-time at an ILO or its equivalent cannot act as an external consultant on an I2I market assessment project).

Funding is available for up to 12 months, with a maximum contribution from NSERC of $15,000.

Application Open Date (Status)

Open

Application End Date (Deadline)

March 27, 2023
June 19, 2023
September 18, 2023

Funding Limits

75% coverage of $15,000 (Market Assessment)
100% coverage of $125,000 (Phase I)
50% coverage of $350,000 (Phase II)

Funding rules are strictly bound to the terms of the successful Grant Application.

Purpose & Commonly Used For

  • Refining and implementing designs
  • Verifying application
  • Conducting field studies
  • Preparing demonstrations
  • Building prototypes
  • Performing beta trials

More Information

The objective of Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and to promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company. I2I grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential.

This is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

Kirsten