Strategic Innovation Fund: Research Consortiums and Networks Stream

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a Canadian government funding program that supports industrial research and development projects. Through the program, Canadian innovators can accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes, and services. There are multiple streams of the program, including several directed exclusively towards businesses; however, one stream seeks collaborative projects involving multiple stakeholders.

SIF’s Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream is specifically designed to be a catalyst for advancing industrial research, development, and technology demonstration through collaboration. There are two primary focuses of the program: non-profit networks; and consortiums comprised of businesses, non-profits, and post-secondary researchers.

Through the Strategic Innovation Fund Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream, networks and consortiums can receive up to 50-100% of eligible expenses to a maximum $50 million.

This stream of the Strategic Innovation Fund has recently launched and will offer a brief application intake window before closing. Each call for applications will focus on new innovative project types; the current round concentrates on large-scale, disruptive approaches to automated agriculture and agri-food technologies. To get started with the process, consortiums and networks must apply by March 1, 2019.

Strategic Innovation Fund: Collaboration Stream Launch

The recently launched Strategic Innovation Fund Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream focuses on large-scale projects that involve multiple stakeholders including businesses, non-profits, and post-secondary research institutions. These networks and consortiums will develop and commercialize solutions quickly so that they can bring immediate and sustainable benefits to Canada’s high-priority sectors.

Research partnerships funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund may receive up to 50-100% of eligible costs. Projects must have at least $20 million in expenses to qualify.

Each intake of this stream focuses on a new industry or economic segment that can be transformed through disruptive technology. During this first round of applications, the program will explore research projects that automate the agriculture and agri-food sector. Projects should specifically focus on data-driven health technologies and include benefits to Canadian biosciences companies.

Applicants Eligible for the Strategic Innovation Fund Collaboration Stream

To be eligible for the Strategic Innovation Fund Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream, applicants must be involved in an eligible consortium or network:

• Consortium: A large Canadian company with significant experience in undertaking large-scale R&D projects and launching new products. The consortium is made up of Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, businesses (including SMEs), and/or non-profit organizations from more than one sector across Canada.
• Network: Led by a Canadian non-profit organization that can support industry-led R&D. The network must demonstrate that it has established partnerships with organizations in multiple regions and supports businesses in more than one region.

Projects Eligible for SIF Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Funding

The current call for Strategic Innovation Fund Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream applications focuses on projects that (in addition to other criteria) will:

• Increase private sector research and development investments;
• Create new intellectual property and innovations;
• Strengthen Canadian supply chains;
• Develop and implement new products, processes, standards and/or services;
• Develop a highly skilled workforce.

How to Apply for the Strategic Innovation Fund Collaboration Stream

The Strategic Innovation Fund Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream has a two-stage application process that consists of a Statement of Intent (SOI) and, if called forward, a full application. Applicants must include details about organizations involved in the consortium or network in the SOI, so interested applicants should develop a framework for these partnerships as soon as possible.

SOI applications for SIF’s collaborative research and development stream are due March 1, 2019. If called forward, full applications are due Spring 2019. Final funding decisions will be made by March 2019 and projects may commence upon approval.

All applications are evaluated among common criteria that includes Public, Innovation, and Economic (PIE) benefits. Projects should demonstrate favourable, wide-reaching benefits to members both inside and outside of the research partnership.

To explore your eligibility for SIF’s Collaborative Technology Development and Demonstration Stream and learn how to optimize the application process, please contact Mentor Works.

Posted: July 13, 2018. Updated: December 19, 2018.