Research and Development Funding: Pre-Competitive Advanced Research Network

 

The Pre-Competitive Advanced Research Network is an industry-led, Ottawa-based consortium of 39 companies. These companies work together to develop receptor capacity for advanced basic research in robotics and artificial intelligence. The fundamental science is drawn from the Institute for Research Intelligent Systems (IRIS).

Details of PRECARN Research and Development Funding for Small Business

PRECARN hosted IRIS and provided a pre-competitive platform for member companies. These Canadian government funding partnerships are designed to help create a competitive and expanded technology business sector in Canada as the government recognizes that in order to have a positive impact in the lives of Canadians, innovative ideas need to be converted into commercial products and services.

To date, PRECARN research and development funding has developed an impressive record of bridging the innovation gap between research and commercialization, thus, helping entrepreneurs and innovators bring forward their ideas to the global market and acquire a competitive edge. In 2008, the Government of Canada invested $1.2 million towards PRECARN, which enabled them to establish an office in Alberta and carry out a series of projects supporting the commercialization of applications involving robotics and artificial intelligence. These new technologies will have a diverse range of applications in sectors such as energy, the environment and nanotechnology.

Other Small Business Grant Programs of Interest

FedDev’s Investing in Business Innovation Program (IBI): Government Funding for Research and Development

This government funding for business  supports start-ups & accelerates the development of new processes, practices and products and helps bring them to market.  IBI government funding  for research and development program provides repayable loans to eligible organizations with less than 50 employees.

Eligible activities to receive these small business government grants include:

• Product and process applied research
• Product testing
• Engineering design
• Technology development
• Marketing studies
• Certification
• Problem solving
• Proof of concept
• Piloting and demonstration
• Commercialization of IP

Contact a Government Funding Expert for more information about this Canadian government funding program.

IRAP (Accelerated Review Process): Research and Development Funding for Technical Challenges

Canadian government funding suited as technical or research oriented to solve an innovation challenge. These small business Ontario technology grants support software implementation, productivity improvements, and production design or marketing projects. Not suited for training projects.   Recipients are eligible for a $50,000 grant funding for business, dedicated to 80% of direct labour costs and 50% of sub-contractor costs.  Possible Project Types:

• Web Presence Optimization and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies
• Technology Adoption, Assessment, and Marketing
• Product Development and Commercialization

Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP):  Business Funding Grants for Technology Implementation Customization

DTAPP offers business funding grants to Canadian corporations aspiring to increasing productivity and competitiveness through the adoption of digital technologies. Maximum small business grants through DTAPP is $100,000 or 80% of direct labour and 75% of subcontractor fees. To be eligible for DTAPP businesses must conduct internal R&D, as well as be incorporated with less than 500 employees.

Possible Project Types:

• Extension of ERP Modules for Sales/AR, Multi-Product Configurator and Financial Reporting
• Revised Implementation of New Software and Order Entry Configurator for Order Placement and Confirmation
• Internal Configuration of Materials for Inventory Management

Additional Funding for Small Business Resources

For those who would like to learn more about PRECARN and other Canadian business grants mechanisms available to your company, I encourage you to contact one of our Canadian Government Funding Experts or follow us on Twitter to receive frequent  updates on these Canadian government funding programs.