UPDATE: This program is currently accepting applications. Contact a member of the Mentor Works team to learn more.
Canadian manufacturers must continue to invest in new productive technology and assets to remain competitive, and many manufacturers cite uncertain return on investment as the main reason they are not investing in new technology.
Administered by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), the Technology Assessment Program will support manufacturers in Southern Ontario looking to complete a technology assessment to improve their systems, processes, and equipment.
Manufacturers may receive up to 100% to a maximum of $25,000 of eligible costs.
Some of the benefits of technology adoption include higher innovation capacity, lower operating costs, increased customer satisfaction, and increased product quality. There has not been an official release date yet for the program, but funds are expected to open imminently – so connect with Mentor Works if you’d like to get a head start.
Technology Assessment Program Overview
The Technology Assessment Program helps businesses understand what technologies are best suited for their needs while offering greater return on their investments.
Qualified assessors will work on-site with organizations to build a customized action plan on how to enhance productivity by making the most of existing assets and implementing the latest advanced manufacturing technologies including software, hardware, and cloud computing.
Once the assessment is finished, the Qualified Service Provider (QSP) will put forward a plan to enable businesses to make informed decisions to assess, purchase, adopt, implement, train, and maintain new technologies.
Awarded applicants may be eligible for up to $25,000 in grants to receive a customized technology assessment from qualified experts.
Funding for this program is provided by FedDev Ontario, which is Canada’s economic development organization for southern Ontario.
Eligible Applicants
To be eligible for Canadian manufacturing grants, eligible applicants:
- Must be a manufacturer based in southern Ontario per the census map;
- Must have between 16-499 full-time employees in southern Ontario;
- Must demonstrate financial stability;
- Must be an incorporated business (federally or provincially) for two years or more continuously; and
- Are not required to be a member of CME to be eligible.
Eligible Projects
Qualified Service Providers authorized by CME must complete the assessment. If there is a current partnership with an expert who is not CME-approved, they can apply to be added to the list of QSPs. Internal experts are not eligible.
Assessments can focus on areas such as:
- Waste reduction;
- Productivity;
- Process flow;
- Energy efficiency (production level);
- Quality (for example, ISO Certification);
- Environmental impact (various green certifications); and
- Information and management systems.
Any assessments that have been previously completed by the applicant are not eligible.
Eligible Expenses
- Entertainment and meals are not eligible costs; and
- Consulting fees (including travel) are eligible.
Ready to Apply?
Assessments must be completed within 90 days of the application’s approval and cannot commence before approval. The program initially planned to open in April, but hasn’t officially started accepting applications. We are expecting an official opening date by the end of May. Applications will be accepted until December 2021, with funding being approved on a first-approved, first-funded basis.
To discuss your project’s suitability for the Technology Assessment Program, or to receive support throughout the application process, please contact a Government Funding Planner™.
Post Updated: June 12, 2020.