Research & Development

Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF)

by Maurice | June 7, 2023

Amount:

$3,000,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants & Loan

Description:

The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) is helping Atlantic Canada compete at home and abroad by supporting the development of innovative products and services that lead to commercial success. AIF helps researchers and innovative businesses team up to develop new products and services and put them on the market.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 80% of total eligible costs for projects led by not-for-profit organizations. Contributions to not-for-profit organizations are non-repayable

Funding is up to 75% of total eligible costs for private-sector-led projects. Contributions to the private sector are conditionally repayable based on the commercial success of a project.

It should be noted that the AIF assistance for eligible building and major renovation costs would not normally exceed 30% of the costs.

Eligible costs could include wages, salaries, capital costs and other operating expenses directly related to the project. The AIF assistance for eligible building and major renovation costs would not normally exceed 30% of the costs.

Funding for innovation project ranges from $500,000 to $3 million. Innovation projects of less than $500,000 may be eligible under ACOA’s Business Development Program.

Types of Projects Eligible for Atlantic Innovation Fund:

The AIF provides funding for a wide range of projects that support innovation and economic growth in Atlantic Canada. Eligible projects may include:

Research and development of new products, services, and technologies
Commercialization of innovative products, services, and technologies
Development of new or improved processes, systems, and technologies
Creation of research and commercialization partnerships among businesses, universities, and research institutions

Evaluation Criteria for Atlantic Innovation Fund:

The AIF evaluates applications based on several criteria. According to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), projects must meet the following essential criteria to be considered for funding:

- Be compatible with AIF objectives
- Be scientifically and/or technically sound
- Demonstrate management capability to successfully undertake the project
- Demonstrate significant economic benefits for Atlantic Canada

In addition to the essential criteria, the AIF also considers the following desirable criteria:

- Includes private sector participation (for institutional proposals)
- Fills a gap in the Atlantic system of innovation
- Improves innovation capacity of the private sector
- Is pan-Atlantic in scope

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

Applicant must be:

private-sector businesses,
universities, colleges,
non-government research institutions,
provincial Crown corporations operating in Atlantic Canada.

Application Steps:

Applicant must complete a Project Concept Template and submit it to the ACOA office nearest to them. ACOA will contact them to confirm receipt and to discuss their project.

Applicant must complete and submit the Application for Financial Assistance form, once they have discussed their project with ACOA.

Documentation Needed:

For-profit applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
incorporation documents and information on ownership names and percentage of ownership
2
fully repayable contributions up to $500,000 for up to 75% of eligible costs
3
R&D project plan, business plan and/or marketing plan,
4
supplier quotes,
5
copies of relevant permits and licenses,
6
other relevant documents (specify).

Not-for-profit applicants and other applicants must submit a completed application form and the following supporting documents:

1
constituting/ incorporating documents and list of directors/members of the board,
2
financial statements (current and last fiscal year),
3
description and mandate of the applicant, including the management and qualifications of key personnel,
4
HST rebate information (I.E. rebate rate),
5
one of the following two items is required: (R&D) project plan or detailed project description, including milestones, costs, financing, key partnerships, established evidence of support from the community,
6
supplier quotes,
7
copies of relevant permits and licenses,
8
other relevant documents (specify).

Other Things to Note:

Date modified: 2022-08-16

Program Contact:

Atlantic Innovation Fund

Application for financial assistance

Atlantic Innovation Fund: Frequently Asked Questions

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Research and Development

by Maurice | February 6, 2023

Amount:

$750,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology offers programs to support research and development projects for both commercial and non-commercial applicants. For commercial applicants, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology supports projects that reduce the technical and financial risk of research and development projects where R&D is required to realize the commercial potential of innovative products, processes or services. For non-commercial applicants, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides support through non-repayable contributions to academic and research institutions for the development and implementation of research and innovation projects for the long-term economic benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Comments on Funding:

For commercial applicants, the maximum contribution to a project is normally 50% of the total eligible costs.
For non-commercial applicants, the program provides normally up to 50 percent of total eligible costs of a specific project, with a maximum investment of $750,000.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling deadline

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

be commercial,
be non-commercial (academic and research institutions),
propose projects that are technical in nature and lead to an incremental advance of an innovative product, process or service, if they are commercial applicants,
propose projects that must demonstrate industry relevance and have significant potential for economic impact in Newfoundland and Labrador, if they are non-commercial applicants.

Application Steps:

Applicants must submit the completed application form.

Documentation Needed:

No specific documentation has been identified.

Program Contact:

Research and Development

Equity Investment Program (EIP) – Development Program

by Maurice | February 6, 2023

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Loan

Description:

The Development Program element provides incorporated Newfoundland and Labrador film and video production companies a loan to support the essential process of development which takes an idea through the stages of research, writing, market analysis and costing.
Development funding is available in two phases for non-series projects as follows: Phase One for conception and development of first draft script and Phase Two for shooting script and production development.

Comments on Funding:

Phase One funding is normally up to a maximum of $15,000, up to 33% of the budget.
Phase Two funding is normally up to a maximum of $20,000, up to 33% of the budget.
A producer may apply for Phase Two development without having received Phase One development.
For series projects, the full $35,000 of funding may be accessed in one stage.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Next deadlines to be determined

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

be incorporated Newfoundland and Labrador film and video production companies,
demonstrate that their primary focus is on the development, production and distribution of film and video products,
be at least 51% owned by a resident or residents of Newfoundland and Labrador (a person who has maintained a principal residence in Newfoundland and Labrador for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application to a funding program).

Application Steps:

submit an application form,

wait for the project to be assessed and to receive a notification of NLFDC decision.

Documentation Needed:

Applicant must submit:

1
a completed application form,
2
Certification and Articles of Incorporation,
3
shareholder information,
4
financial statements,
5
a Project synopsis,
6
Project intentions,
7
a Project schedule,
8
Production staff and area of residence,

9
Treatment, outline, or screenplay,
10
Original literary property,
11
Original literary property agreement,
12
Writing agreement(s),
13
Broadcast license and/or distribution agreement,
14
Marketing and distribution plan,
15
Letters of commitment for financing,
16
Detailed development budget.

Program Contact:

Development - Newfoundland & Labrador Film Development Corporation

Dev-Eq-form.doc

Innovate to Opportunity Hiring Incentive

by Maurice | February 6, 2023

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

Innovate to Opportunity (ITO) is providing Nova Scotia SMEs an incentive to hire recent masters and PhD grads for jobs that are focused on research and innovation that will help businesses begin, prepare for, or expand exports.

Employers can receive salary incentives in one of two streams: Innovation Stream, where the new graduate's work should be expected to help the company prepare for, begin or expand exports, or Advanced Innovation Stream, where his work must also have an explicit connection to export development or growth.

Comments on Funding:

Funding under the Innovation Stream is 35% of the graduate’s annual salary in Year 1, 20% in Year 2 and 12.5% in Year 3, up to an annual salary of $100,000.

Funding under the Advanced Innovation Stream is 50% of the graduate’s annual salary in Year 1, 25% in Year 2, and 12.5% in Year 3, up to an annual salary of $100,000.

A diversity bonus of an additional 10% can be provided in the 1st and 2nd years of both streams, if the graduate is a woman in an under-represented occupation, self-identifies as a racially visible minority, is Mi’kmaq or Indigenous, an international student or a person with a disability.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The company must:

be a Nova Scotia operating SME,
have up to 500 full-time employees,
create a full-time position focused on innovation and pay a minimum annual salary of $60,000.

The new hire must:

have successfully completed a master’s or PhD program at a recognized university within a year of the date the employer’s application is received.

Application Steps:

The applicant must:

complete the online application form.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit alongside the application form:

1
a description of their organization and its mandate,
2
contact details of a person at their organization who will be responsible for the agreement,
3
a job description for the new position you wish to create, as well as its location,
4
a T4 Summary or other documentation to show the number of employees,
5
a complete Innovation Plan.

Once the chosen graduate is hired, the employer must submit the following three documents to the Youth Initiatives Program Agreement Manager:

1
a copy of the graduate’s degree or a letter from the respective university confirming that they have completed all program requirements, and the date of their convocation.
2
a signed copy of the graduates’ employment letter of offer between your organization and the graduate, including the following information: salary, permanent/full-time Employment, new position, start date, signatures of the graduate (new hire) and employer
3
a completed Graduate Information Form, which can be downloaded from the Innovate to Opportunity Program website. This is where the new hire has an opportunity to self-identify as aboriginal Canadian, a visible minority, a person with a disability, a woman in an under-represented occupation or an international graduate, which would make the employer eligible to receive an additional 10% diversity bonus in the first and second year.

Other Things to Note:

Issue Date: October 2022 (Guidelines)

Program Contact:

Innovate to Opportunity hiring incentive

Innovate_to_Opportunity_Book.pdf

ChangeMaker Funding Program – Catalyst Funding

by Maurice | February 5, 2023

Amount:

$5,000.00

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

Catalyst Funding supports entrepreneurs, companies, students and fail forward applicants with their early-stage market validation & engagement activities, including: market studies or surveys, travel to access potential markets or customers, hiring of expertise to assist with development of a business/financial model, any costs relating to connecting to the market or potential customers (web presence, marketing, etc.) provided that this is specifically related to validation and development of prototype or beta product required to test the market (only in special circumstances-limited).

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to $5,000 for entrepreneurs, companies, NouLAB prototyping, up to $1,000 for students to test ideas and up to $5,000 for fail forward applicants.
Applicants are only eligible to be awarded total Catalyst Funding and Saint John TGF to a maximum of $5,000.
Funding awards are taxable.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

be an entrepreneur, a company, student or a fail forward applicant with an idea to solve a real-world problem or issue with an innovative and disruptive technology or platform, or an innovative product or service, or an innovative approach or process, or a socially innovative, or ‘tech meets social’ idea, or something that has yet to be discovered or developed, or any combination of the above.
reside in New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island (subject to discretion of PDC Executive Board). In the case of corporations, the majority of shareholders must reside in the eligible province and the registered office must be in the eligible province. In the case of partnerships, the majority of partners and ownership must reside in the eligible provinces.
focus on the following key priority areas: Health & Wellness, Immigration & Retention, Poverty Reduction.
be PDC/New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network (NBSPRN)Program Participants or must be invited to apply.

ALL funding recipients are REQUIRED to participate in the Innovators' Jump Start Program.

Application Steps:

Applicants:

must submit the online application form,

who have been short-listed will be notified by email and will often be invited to a meeting to discuss and determine the terms of award,

will be asked to submit proof of residency for the company/entrepreneur, if successful.

Once due diligence is completed, a Letter of Award and Terms & Conditions Contract will be issued.

Documentation Needed:

Applicants must submit:

the online application form,
proof of residency for the company/entrepreneur, if the application is successful.

Funding recipients are required to provide interim and final progress reports.

Other Things to Note:

The ChangeMaker Funding Program is NOT about the funding. While the funding helps early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators test ideas and build sustainable business models, this program is designed to help build success through providing on-going support and opportunities.

The fail forward applicants are entrepreneurs and innovators who have experienced the failure of an idea or venture and they are ready to do an overhaul or pivot, or have an entirely new idea and are passionate about building a sustainable business. They are courageous entrepreneurs, whose ideas, dreams or ventures have failed (usually at least 4-6 months previously), who have learned from the experience, and who are committed to starting over.

Program Contact:

Catalyst $ | Changemaker

ChangeMaker Program

Policies - Catalyst Fund

FAQs for Funding Awards

Research & Development

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