NOHFC Ontario Business Grants-Applied Research & Technology Development Projects

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has new funding programs available to support the development of Northern Ontario’s businesses and economy. For companies involved in research and development efforts, the new Applied Research & Technology Development Projects funding program will be of significant interest. The NOHFC is interested in projects that are within the following sectors:

• Natural resources
• Advanced manufacturing
• Clean technology
• Health sciences
• The bio-economy
• The digital economy

The projects proposed by applicants must fit within one of these priority areas and involve either direct R&D or early commercialization efforts.

NOHFC Grants for Small Businesses in Ontario’s North

A key focus of this NOHFC Ontario business grants program is to encourage industry collaboration with academia. For this reason, proposed projects should involve an industry/academic partnership. Although it isn’t a requirement for the Applied Research & Technology Development Projects funding program, NOHFC has indicated that they will prioritize collaborative projects that involve both industry and post-secondary entities.

NOHFC Government Business Grants –Eligible Expenses

Costs associated directly with the project’s research and development efforts or commercialization efforts are considered eligible project expenses:

• Direct internal technical labour costs for up to one year of the project’s duration
• Prototyping costs (engineering and design services and component purchase, fabrication and installation costs)
• Product testing
• Intellectual property protection costs

Small Business Government Grants through NOHFC –Ineligible Expenses

The following costs are not eligible expenses:

• Land
• Working capital
• Administrative or other indirect operating costs
• Business case or business plan development
• Travel, accommodation and meeting costs
• Office equipment and furnishings
• Vehicles

NOHFC Ontario Government Grants Funding Details

Applied Research & Technology Development Projects business grants Ontario will be awarded as a conditional contribution to winning applicants. This government funding will support up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $250,000. To learn more about this program and assess whether your project is a good fit, please contact Mentor Works‘ team of Canadian Government Funding Planners.