Opportunity

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.

Eligibility

Eligible research and development activities include:

  • refining and implementing designs
  • verifying application
  • conducting field studies
  • preparing demonstrations
  • building prototypes
  • performing beta trials

Eligible technology transfer activities include

  • consulting fees to develop the strategy to protect the technology’s commercial value
  • market investigations
  • consulting fees for business plan, market survey, etc.
  • business mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs
  • sharing of patenting expenses
  • expenses associated with creating a partnership (such as travel, etc.)

Funding Available

Summary of application requirements by phase
  Market assessment Phase I Phase Ib Phase IIa Phase IIb
Form 100 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

Internal Contacts

Potential applicants are encouraged to discuss this funding opportunity by emailing the following contact(s) as soon as possible: Theresa White or their Research Facilitator.

Disclosure Form

Applicants will need to fill out and submit Industry Partnership disclosure forms as part of the application process. The forms can be found here.

Deadlines

Faculty Deadline Consult your Faculty Research Facilitator.
OVPRI Deadline (Approval Form and Application) December 9, 2022 (Application and Disclosure forms)
Submission to Sponsor January 6, 2023 (Application)

Submitting Your Application

  • Step 1) Submit an internal Carleton Approval Form
    Submit an internal Approval Form through our central awards management database CUResearch:
    https://ovpri.research.carleton.ca/Romeo.Researcher/Administrator/Default.aspx
    For a user’s guide on submitting an Approval Form, click here.
  • Step 2) Submit an external application to the granting agency
    Submit an external application to the corresponding grant or award agency. For further details about funding categories, eligibility criteria and deadlines for this opportunity, click here.