Qualify for “Made in Ontario” Advanced Manufacturing R&D Challenge Program
The Made in Ontario Advanced Manufacturing R&D Challenge Program was developed and is operated by Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) in collaboration with Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This grants for small businesses in Ontario program is offering up to $2 million in grant funding to support as many as 7 projects undertaken by Ontario manufacturers.
Advanced Manufacturing R&D Challenge Program: Industry Partner Eligibility
In order to qualify as an industry partner, organizations must meet the following qualifications:
- A For-Profit, Ontario-based company that has manufacturing operations in Ontario,
- Must be incorporated for a minimum of 1 year.
Grants for Businesses in Ontario: Company Assessment (Ideal Industry Partner)
Businesses that meet the following criteria will make ideal industry partners for this program:
- Export or have the potential to export to the world,
- Are prepared to invest in future products and processes (invest in R&D/experimentation/prototyping),
- Are growth oriented and successful,
- Invest in modern capital equipment,
- Have employee training/education/advancement/succession opportunities,
- Actively pursue continuous improvement,
- Have a plan/goal to be market leaders in their chosen sector.
Government Funding for Small Businesses in Ontario: Project Eligibility
In order to qualify as an approved project under the Made in Ontario Advanced Manufacturing R&D Challenge Program, projects will meet the following criteria:
- Projects will have a high potential to lead to novel, newly adapted or adopted processes, products, or services
- Projects will leverage the unique capabilities of the academic environment
- Projects will meet known customer (or end user) demand or address a significant customer pain-point
- Project outcomes will have global export potential from a manufacturing base in Ontario
- Projects where research work conducted by the academic Institution will not be in competition with the private sector
- Projects will address a significant need in the manufacturing industry sector
- Projects will demonstrate a close industry-academic collaboration
- Projects will have a broad industry applicability and impact (economically and/or environmentally)
- Projects will have high potential to be commercialized/implemented, with good ROI forecast
- Projects will qualify for support under the NSERC CRD/ARD grants
- Projects fall within technology readiness levels TRL1-4 (1. Basic Technology Research, 2-4 Research to prove feasibility)
How to Apply for Funding through this Business Grants for Ontario Small Businesses Program
In order to participate in this program, companies must successfully complete a six-stage application process.
Government Funding for Ontario Manufacturers-Application Timeline:
Step#1 Wednesday, Dec. 11th, 2013 Expressions of Interest (EOI) Accepted
Step#2 Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 EOI Submission Deadline
Stept#3 March 31 –April 1st, 2014 Panel Reviews EOI’s
Step#4 Friday, March 16, 2014 Final Draft of Application Due for Finalists
Step#5 Monday, June 16, 2014 Final Submission to NSERC CRD/ARD
Step#6 After Oct. 1, 2014 Approved projects begin
Learn More about the Made in Ontario Advanced Manufacturers Challenge Program
Find out more about this program by choosing “Overview” or click on “Get Started” to contact a Canadian government funding expert at Mentor Works.
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