Canadian Funding Opportunities for EUREKA & Eurostars Presentation to ERA-Can+, 2016-09-28 Eric Holdrinet EUREKA/Eurostars Contact, NRC-IRAP Eric.holdrinet@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
What I will be talking about… 1. NRC-IRAP International Programs Overview 2. IRAP funding for EUREKA & Eurostars 3. Alternative sources of funding 2
National Research Council Canada, Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) International Programs Overview
NRC – A Century of Innovation 4
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) - at a Glance • Since 1946 • Present in124 locations • Serving 10,000 SME* • Funding 3,000 SME/year • Field Staff: 250 Advisors • Partners: 200 Organizations • Budget: $300M • Impact: $1 IRAP → $10 Revenue * Small and Medium sized enterprises 5
Canada’s EUREKA involvement Since 2012 Since 2016 NRC is the “EUREKA Office” for Canada 6
Canadian results, 2013 to 2016-06 61 Network Projects , 56.8€M total budget 12 Cluster Projects , 125€M total budget (20€M from Canada) Germany: 12 Projects (7.2€M) UK: 12 Projects (9.2€M) Israel: 11 Projects (15.16€M) Finland: 5 Projects (2.5€M) The National Office for EUREKA is France: 4 Projects (3.34€M) managed by NRC, jointly delivered by International Relations Office (IRO) & Spain: 3 Projects (2.35€M) Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Switz.: 3 Projects (1.64€M) 7
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) Co-delivered by Global Affairs Canada and IRAP • Former ISTPP • Funding directed at SME • Others may participate Travel Funding for Project Elaboration R&D Funding (roughly similar to EUREKA projects) Max. 600k$/project Calls for proposals India signed 2016; China & Brazil TBD 8
IRAP International Calls for proposals OPEN (as of 2016-09-28) • Canada-Spain: Deadline Oct.7, 2016 (preliminary project Aug.31). • Canada-Germany: Deadline Nov.30, 2016. • Canada-Alberta-France: Deadline Dec.20. Open to all Canadian firms; Albertan firms get extra local funding. • Several EUREKA Clusters CfP’s CLOSED • Canada-India: deadline was Aug.31, selection underway. http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/about/global/ , - International calls for proposals 9
IRAP funding for EUREKA & Eurostars
Help for EUREKA (incl. Clusters) A. SME eligible for IRAP funding • Firm located in Canada, incorporated, profit-oriented • 500 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees • Objective to grow through technological innovation • Capacity to undertake international project Guidance and (maybe) funding from IRAP B. All others (University, Research Center, Large firm, Other SME, ...) Guidance from NRC International Relations Office Participants self-fund or look for alternative sources
Help for Eurostars • Eurostars assess the projects • IRAP performs a Financial Viability Check • Eurostars will rank all projects, and put a threshold above which projects are Selected • For projects Selected “i.e. Awarded” with Canadian SME eligible for IRAP funding: • IRAP will fund the Canadian SME. • IRAP funding criteria (formula) will apply. • IRAP disbursement process will apply .
IRAP Funding parameters This program is discretionary; IRAP* decides if the firm and the project are a good ‘investment’ decision. • Non-repayable contribution (grant-like). • The larger the amount, the better must be the Business Case and the Technological Innovation: 50k$, 100k$, 350k$, >500k$ (rare). • Typical support is up to 50% of project cost, which includes: – Salaries , excluding bonuses and such. – Overhead , typically 55% of salaries. – Contractors cost, net of taxes. • Monthly claim, as reimbursement for project expenses (good for cash flow!) • SR&ED may apply on balance of total project cost! * Or Eurostars, as the case may be. 13 Industrial Research Assistance Program
IRAP is much more than Funding • Like a good Investor, we will help our investment targets (SME) with whatever tools are at our disposal. • IRAP Advisors will spend time helping SMEs. • IRAP Advisors have biz and tech experience. • IRAP’s Network of >200 organisations, for biz and tech advice; some meetings may be paid by IRAP. • Several smaller funding programs, like Youth Employment Strategy. 14 Industrial Research Assistance Program
1. Eligibility If your company meets all of the following criteria: • incorporated and profit-oriented entity, located in Canada with fewer than 500 full-time employees • have the desire and potential to improve innovation capacity • open to developing a trusting relationship with NRC-IRAP • have the objective to grow and generate profits in Canada through the development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes. Your company may be eligible for support 15 Industrial Research Assistance Program
2. Meeting with an ITA An Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) will visit you at your location to better understand • Your business structure (ownership, management, etc.) • Your business strategy • The nature of your activities (products/services, clients, competitors…) • Available resources (human, material, etc.) • Where you are with your idea You will • Discuss how NRC-IRAP can help you achieve your business goals • Learn more about the variety of our services and programs • Receive information on the conditions for financial contribution support 16 Industrial Research Assistance Program
3. Project definition • Define the business opportunity • Identify the client’s needs • Discuss technology options and strategies • Define the project’s objectives, resources, timelines, deliverables, etc. 17 Industrial Research Assistance Program
4. Proposal for financial support Your proposal must: • Provide an overview of your business • Identify clear and measurable objectives • Contain a clear description of the activities necessary to achieve your project • Elaborate a realistic budget that is coherent with your project’s activities and resources • Identify other sources of financing, if available Your ITA will provide you with access to online tools 18 Industrial Research Assistance Program
5. Proposal evaluation Project assessment: • Understanding the business opportunity • Evaluating the firm and its capabilities • Assessing the project content and technical uncertainties/ challenges Determining the financial contribution level: • What activities are required to accomplish the project? • What is the overall cost of the project? • What portion of the project does NRC-IRAP support? • Are the project costs reasonable? • What effect will NRC-IRAP’s contribution have on the project? 19 Industrial Research Assistance Program
6. Project management and follow-up Your ITA will work with you from start to finish: • Offer support throughout the life of your project • Help you reach the technical objectives of your project • Follow-up to ensure you maximize the commercial benefits resulting from your project 20 Industrial Research Assistance Program
Synchronizing IRAP and EUREKA • In many countries, applicants must obtain the Label before they can submit their funding application. • In Canada, both applications proceed in parallel. We are optimistic. • We synchronize EUREKA labelling and IRAP funding decision (as best we can). • Actual project start may depend on foreign partner’s funding decision and timing. • IRAP funding may be awarded with a clause relative to obtaining the EUREKA label, and partners funded. 21 Industrial Research Assistance Program
Which is tougher to get: IRAP funding or EUREKA label? • Getting money is tougher, so: IRAP. Definitely. But you get all those extra services! • If you applied for IRAP, filling a EUREKA application is a piece of cake. • Getting the EUREKA Label is the cherry on the cake. 22 Industrial Research Assistance Program
Alternative sources of funding for EUREKA & Eurostars
Indirect funding as a contractor • Case: SME applies to EUREKA or Eurostars, and is awarded financial support. • Project costs include contract with University or other . • SME must have rights on IP (ex: strong licence). IRAP may support up to 50% of contract cost (before tax). 24
Going Global Innovation (GGI) • Global Affairs Canada program • Funding for travel , meetings, legal & other costs for establishing partnership • Applicants: Canadian researchers at SME, university, non-government research centre • Goal: establish an international R&D partnership that may lead to the commercialization of Canadian technology Up to 75% of eligible expenses of <100,000$ project High demand! Show strong market opportunity. 25
NSERC Idea to Innovation (i2i) Grant Case: University research with foreign collaboration. 1. Build your i2i project, add a Canadian industry partner to make a strong proposal • Phase I: Reduction-to-practice • Phase II: Technology enhancement (with industry partner) • If Canadian partner is SME, they may get IRAP funding! 2. Involve foreign partners in a EUREKA or Eurostars project 26
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