Industrial Research Assistance Program: $1.87M for Multi-Health Systems

Multi-Health Systems Inc. (MHS), a leading publisher of scientifically validated assessments, has been awarded research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).

For more than 30 years, MHS has served clients in educational, clinical, corporate, public safety, government, military, pharmaceutical, and research settings. Its leading products include the Conners suite of ADHD assessments, the Level Service suite of assessments, and the Emotional Quotient Inventory.

MHS’s products are sold in more than 75 countries and translated into over 50 languages. Their clinical tools inform psychological diagnoses that impact prescribed medication, therapy, or treatment programs for children and adults; and, for businesses, MHS Talent Assessments inform and improve hiring decisions, staff development, and team dynamics.

MHS will receive $1,872,337 in NRC IRAP funding to support digital transformation projects at MHS.

NRC IRAP is a Canadian government funding program that helps small and medium-sized businesses drive growth through innovation and technology.

NRC IRAP Funding Supports Digital Transformation at MHS

With IRAP funding, MHS will continue its investment in research and development, and drive advanced digital transformation projects, creating new processes and customer experiences to meet changing market requirements and increase innovation.

MHS’s specific projects include the development of a platform for psychometric evaluation that will be usable across multiple interfaces. According to Hazel Wheldon, CEO of MHS, the organization will also adopt Artificial Intelligence and advanced encryption while joining a global customer base to MHS.

MHS’s solution will represent a new kind of digital marketplace where MHS and its global peers can collaborate to support mutual customers.

NRC IRAP funding will also support the creation of 80 new jobs in Markham, Ontario, bringing MHS’s total workforce up to 250 employees.

MHS’s Research & Development Funding Strategy

NRC IRAP funding is only the most recent development in MHS’s success with government funding. A few years ago, MHS began using SR&ED tax credits, which led to a further interest in leveraging Canadian government funding. MHS then connected with Mentor Works to explore other small business grants for research activities.

As a result, MHS was awarded over $200K in research and development funding through IRAP in 2017.

Additionally, the company was able to access funding through Mitacs Accelerate, a program that supports R&D partnerships between post-secondary institutions and businesses. Consulting with Mentor Works, MHS has also accessed hiring grants for 13 new employees, for a total of nearly $237K, as well as over $98K in training grants through the Canada-Ontario Job Grant.

Accessing government funding has allowed MHS to continue to increase its employee count, train incumbent employees in innovative new skills, and invest in research and development.

Businesses Can Access NRC IRAP Funding to Support Innovation

NRC IRAP operates on the premise that the success of the Canadian economy and its ability to create well-paying jobs depends upon Canadian businesses developing and commercializing innovative new products and services. IRAP primarily targets businesses that are developing and implementing process improvements; however, the program will also consider businesses with large-scale technology adoption projects that will lead to new capabilities.

Because NRC IRAP contributions are funded through the federal government, organizations from across Canada can apply to receive research and development funding. If a business is planning a technology-driven research and development project in Canada, project planners may wish to consider an NRC IRAP funding application as part of the process.

If your company is interested in learning more about IRAP and whether this program is the right fit for your research and innovation projects, please download Mentor Works’ IRAP vs. SR&ED slide deck.