Mineral Resources Development Fund: Innovation Grant
$100,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Mineral Resources Development Fund supports prospectors, exploration companies, researchers, post-secondary students, and projects in the mining sector that attract investment, help grow Nova Scotia’s economy and create jobs, especially in rural areas. Innovation Grants support research and innovation in the mining industry and promote development of Nova Scotia’s mineral resources.
Comments on Funding:
The maximum Innovation Grant is $100,000. Projects may extend in phases over more than one year, but each phase of the proposed work must be applied for in separate applications in separate years. The entire length of the project must be described in the application for the first year.
Applications are closed. Stay tuned for future intake announcements.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be:
1. Consultants, academics, mineral producers, mineral end-users, and mining industry service companies, either local to Nova Scotia or located outside of the province.
2. The types of projects that may be considered for funding include, but are not limited to:
a) Projects designed to reduce the cost of extracting, processing, adding value to, or transporting mineral resources to market.
b) Projects leading to a new end-use application for a mineral produced, or that could be produced, in Nova Scotia.
c) Projects leading to the development or implementation of new products, tools, or applications that can aid in the discovery, understanding, and evaluation of mineral deposits in Nova Scotia.
d) Projects designed to reduce the costs of, or create new or improved processes associated with, mine and tailing reclamation or management.
e) Projects intended to develop comprehensive business plans (feasibility studies) for adding value to minerals in Nova Scotia by manufacturing end-use products for local use or export.
Geoscience and Engineering are regulated professions in Nova Scotia, and provincial legislation requires that individuals and companies offering, providing, or undertaking geoscience and/or engineering in the province must be registered. Geoscientists, engineers, and companies receiving Innovation Grants should contact relevant professional associations regarding professional registration if they are not already registered.
Application Steps:
Proposals must be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (“the department”) at: mrdf@novascotia.ca
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. An executive summary clearly stating how the project will improve the efficiency of discovery, evaluation, development, processing, or use of Nova Scotia’s mineral resources, or reclaiming land after extraction.
2. A completed Innovation Grant Summary Page, found on the MRDF webpage.
3. A statement of project objectives.
4. A detailed description of the project and its potential impact on the Nova Scotia economy, and its impact on the reputation and image of Nova Scotia in the mining industry.
5. A detailed budget, including a list of activities required to complete the project, an estimate of time for each activity, and unit costs to support the total budget.
6. A timeline from project commencement to completion, including key milestones and a detailed work plan for the project’s duration.
7. Commitment to a start and end date, as well as the submission of deliverables to the department.
8. A list of principal researchers or project leads, their qualifications, organizational affiliation, and contact information.
9. Expected deliverables, depending on project scope, could include:
a) A Final Report submitted to the department (mandatory for every project).
b) Supporting reports, data, analysis, forecasts, and studies.
c) Publication of results in a technical journal.
d) Presentation of results at a relevant conference.
About the author
Maurice