1. NRC-IRAP
Industrial Research Assistance Program
ONEIA Seminar
What’s Up at IRAP?
Oct. 10 2013
Presented by Craig Wardlaw

2. 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
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3. What sort of financial support
do we give?
Ø
Ø
Non-repayable contributions to firms
for R&D projects
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 subcontracted labour only
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4. Basic Eligibility Criteria
Ø Incorporated in Canada
Ø 500 employees or less
Ø At least one full time salaried
employee
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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5. 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
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6. 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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7. 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-voucherprogram/VIP/how-it-works
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8. 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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9. 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 bestin-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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10. 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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11. Sample ONEIA Video
Real Tech Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsISEVvtgY&feature=player_detailpage
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12. Contact us
Craig Wardlaw (Oakville)
Toll-free number:
Web
905-849-3796
1-877-994-4727
http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca