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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative?
2. What is the goal of the initiative?
3. How much funding available under the initiative?
4. How many applications have been approved?
5. When will the funding be announced?
6. How do post-secondary institutions benefit from this initiative?
7. How do businesses benefit from this initiative?
8. As a business, how do I connect with a college or university that is receiving funding?
9. How much funding do SMEs have to contribute when partnering with a post-secondary institution on a project?
10. When do projects need to be completed?
11. Will there be another intake in the future?
12. How do I get more information?

1. What Is the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative?

The Applied Research and Commercialization initiative is a pilot program designed to address the gap between research and commercialization in southern Ontario by encouraging collaboration between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and post-secondary institutions. Under the initiative, post-secondary institutions create partnerships with SMEs to undertake activities such as applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, and certification that will help these businesses develop innovative products, practices and processes and bring them to market faster.

2. What is the goal of the initiative?

The initiative aims to encourage greater collaboration between institutions with applied research expertise and small- to medium-sized businesses with pre-market needs. Its goals are to encourage innovation and improve productivity and competitiveness for businesses in southern Ontario.

3. How much funding is available under the Initiative?

The initiative provided up to $15 million in funding over fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12. Under the extension, up to an additional $15 million in funding has been provided for fiscal year 2012-13.

For the extension period, each of the 24 universities, colleges and polytechnics currently participating in the initiative are eligible for up to $750,000. Post-secondary institutions may in turn contribute up to $100,000 per project with a collaborating business.

4. How many applications have been approved?

A total of 24 applications for funding have proceeded under the initiative. These recipients can be found under Funded Projects.

5. When will the funding be announced?

The post-secondary institutions that were approved for funding have been announced and can be seen under Funded Projects online. The resulting partnerships between the 24 post-secondary institutions and small- and medium-sized businesses are being announced on an ongoing basis. Additional contributions under the extension to approved applicants will also be announced as they are approved.

6. How do post-secondary institutions benefit from this initiative?

These partnerships provide research staff with the opportunity to establish direct relationships with companies that require their expertise, and students the opportunity for hands-on, practical experience working with companies and in sectors that may be of interest to them. Enabling them to work on market-driven projects in collaboration with local businesses will help to ensure we are nurturing our next generation of innovators.

7. How do businesses benefit from this initiative?

The Agency recognizes the innovation challenges of Ontario businesses. The initiative provides post-secondary institutions with financial resources to allow them to partner with businesses in southern Ontario, enabling businesses to have access to expertise and resources for R&D and pre-commercialization activities, such as product and process applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, certification, proof of concept, piloting and demonstration, and problem solving.

8. As a business, how do I connect with a college or university that is receiving funding?

Successful applicants are required to develop partnerships with businesses as part of their proposal and application. These applicants, the 24 post-secondary institutions, can be found under Funded Projects.

9. How much funding do SMEs have to contribute when partnering with a post-secondary institution on a project?

SMEs partnering with post-secondary institutions under the initiative will be expected to contribute a minimum of one-half (50 per cent) of total project costs in the form of cash and/or in-kind contributions to the post-secondary institution performing pre-commercialization activities. The SME must not have previously received funding through the initiative, and may not receive funding from more than one post-secondary institution during the extension period.

10. When do projects need to be completed?

For the original intake of the pilot program, all agreements with businesses were to be established and funding committed to business projects by June 30, 2011. All project activities must be completed by March 31, 2012.

For the extension intake of the pilot program, all agreements with businesses are to be established and funding committed to business projects by June 30, 2012. All project activities must be completed by March 31, 2013.

11. Will there be another intake in the future?

This initiative was launched as a pilot project, which is now being extended by one year to allow the Agency to fully assess the program. Based on that assessment, the Agency will determine whether or not to renew the program and once again open the application process to all post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario.