Canadian Funding Opportunities for EUREKA & Eurostars - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

4

NRC – A Century of Innovation

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) - at a Glance

5

• 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

Canada’s EUREKA involvement

6

Since 2012 Since 2016 NRC is the “EUREKA Office” for Canada

Canadian results, 2013 to 2016-06

7

UK: 12 Projects (9.2€M) France: 4 Projects (3.34€M) Germany: 12 Projects (7.2€M) Israel: 11 Projects (15.16€M) Finland: 5 Projects (2.5€M)

61 Network Projects, 56.8€M total budget 12 Cluster Projects, 125€M total budget (20€M from Canada)

Switz.: 3 Projects (1.64€M) Spain: 3 Projects (2.35€M)

The National Office for EUREKA is managed by NRC, jointly delivered by International Relations Office (IRO) & Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

• 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

Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

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 International Calls for proposals

IRAP funding for EUREKA & Eurostars

• 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 EUREKA (incl. Clusters)

• 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.

Help for Eurostars

Industrial Research Assistance Program 13

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.

Industrial Research Assistance Program 14

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.

Industrial Research Assistance Program 15

• 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
• pen 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

Industrial Research Assistance Program 16

• 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

Industrial Research Assistance Program 17

• 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.

Industrial Research Assistance Program 18

• 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

Industrial Research Assistance Program 19

• 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?

Industrial Research Assistance Program 20

• 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

Industrial Research Assistance Program 21

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.

Industrial Research Assistance Program 22

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.

Alternative sources of funding for EUREKA & Eurostars

• 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

Indirect funding as a contractor

• 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

Going Global Innovation (GGI)

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

NSERC Idea to Innovation (i2i) Grant

• Quebec: PSR-SIIRI – International Research &
• Innovation. SME, Universities, Research Centers, etc.
• Alberta: Funding for SME, Call-for-proposals w/France

(deadline Dec.20, 2016; contact IRAP)

• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC): Occasional calls for projects.

• SMEs may call our NRC Concierge Service, for free

tailored advice about all government programs in Canada https://concierge.innovation.gc.ca/

27

Other funding sources, examples

28 28

Questions?