4. Intake & assessment process
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- Intake opens for applications: June 20, 2022
- Technical briefing for you and your projects partners: early July 2022
- Deadline to submit your application: September 20, 2022
- FedDev Ontario begins the application assessment process: Fall 2022
- Final project decision: Winter 2022/2023
- Initiate contribution agreements with successful applicants: Winter 2022/2023
Projects will be assessed based on the information provided by an applicant, but FedDev Ontario reserves the right to contact applicants for additional information on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants with questions are strongly encouraged to contact us or phone at 1-866-593-5505 a minimum of 10 business days before the intake deadline, September 20, 2022, so that you have enough time to complete the application form.
FedDev Ontario is committed to providing services to its applicants according to defined service standards. All RQI applicants will be notified of decisions within 90 business days of the application deadline.
Assessment criteria
Complete applications will undergo a due diligence process where they are assessed against specific criteria, namely:
- project's contribution to achieving the objectives of the Regional Quantum Initiative and Government of Canada priorities listed in the Eligibility section
- market opportunity and impact on the competitive position of applicant and sector
- market-readiness, including linkages to the emerging quantum industry ecosystem, risk capital and private sector leverage, and applicant's IP strategy
- expected results of the project, including economic and innovation, diversity and inclusion, and clean growth benefits of project
- technological strengths, including connecting specific quantum fields with commercial potential as well as to other industries where adoption of quantum technologies will benefit the broader industry
- quality of the project plan and budget, including feasibility, appropriateness, risks (financial, commercial, technical) and mitigation strategies
- capacity of the applicant to implement the project, achieve the stated objectives and fulfil its repayment obligations. Factors to be assessed include managerial capacity, technical capacity, operational capacity and financial capacity
- where required, compliance with applicable federal environmental and impact assessment legislation as well as consultation with any Indigenous groups, which may be affected by the proposed project
Definition: innovation
Innovation is a multi-stage process whereby organizations/communities transform ideas into new and/or improved products, services or processes, in order to advance, compete and differentiate themselves successfully in their marketplace.
Confidentiality, reporting, and visibility requirements
- The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) collaborates with FedDev Ontario to provide expert assessments of RQI applications.
- FedDev Ontario may consult with other federal partners, agents or third-party contractors to support its assessment of an Application for Funding. Any confidential or proprietary information should be marked as such. In addition, all information provided by the applicant is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
- FedDev Ontario is a transparent and results-oriented organization. Successful applicants must agree that their business name, funding amount, and project description will be made publicly available for the reasons of proactive disclosure. Successful applicants will also be required to submit periodic performance reports and other statements that provide details on project performance.
- Note: FedDev Ontario reserves the right to modify these guidelines at any time without notice or may waive certain requirements on an exceptional basis.