Natural Products Canada Innovation Cluster: Proof of Concept Program

Receive up to $250,000 in Grant Funding.

The Proof of Concept Program is a Canadian government funding program that is made possible through Natural Products Canada (NPC) Innovation Cluster. The NPC’s Proof of Concept Program helps Canadian small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and academic research institutions achieve commercial feasibility of innovative natural products or technologies at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) ranging from four-nine. The end goal is to advance development, accelerate products to market, or de-risk any related investments.

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Proof of Concept Program

Amount of Funding

The allotted funding contributions from NPC will be non-dilutive, non-repayable funds. Successful applicants may receive:

  • Up to 40% of project costs to a maximum of $250,000 for an 18 month project period with a required contribution of 60% from the applicant; and
  • Canadian government stacking policies apply which limit total combined support from all government sources to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs for SMEs and 100% for academic research bodies.
Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government

Proof of Concept Program

Eligible Applicants

Successful applicants for the CNP’s Proof of Concept Program must be a Canadian start-up company, SME, or academic research institute. Other eligibility criteria include:

  • The applicant has an innovative natural product or technology;
  • Start-ups and SMEs must have the potential to achieve $10M- $15M in annual revenue within a reasonable period for the market or sector;
  • Products or technologies being developed within academic research institutes must address an industry/sector challenge that has significant market potential; and
  • Member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
Eligible Applicants for Canadian Government Funding

Proof of Concept Program

Eligible Projects

To have an eligible project for the Proof of Concept Program, projects must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant has a novel pre-commercial (TRL 4-9) natural product or technology;
  • Projects must be related to the development of innovative natural products and technologies as biologically-based innovations that benefit people, animals and the planet, and can be applied to a range of industries, including:
    • Food production and value-added agriculture;
    • Bioproducts and sustainability;
    • Human nutrition, health and wellness;
    • Animal health and nutrition; and
    • Water and waste management.
  • The program does not support basic research or preliminary product/technology development. It is intended to demonstrate commercial potential via preliminary animal, field, demonstration or human trials.
Eligible Expenses for Canadian Government Funding

Proof of Concept Program

Program Deadline

The Proof of Concept Program currently has an open intake with no mention of a formal deadline. However, the maximum project length for eligible applications is 18 months.

Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding
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