Research Admin Offices:

• MILO

Value:

Individual proposals can request between $20,000 and $30,000 from NSERC and between $20,000 and $30,000 from OCE, with a corresponding $20,000 to $30,000 from the industry partner (up to 50% of this contribution may be in-kind) for a project up to 12-months.

Disciplines:

• Natural Sciences and Engineering

Sponsors:

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Deadlines:

Description:

In partnership, NSERC Alliance / Engage grants and OCE’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) will support post-secondary R&D collaborations with the highest potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Ontario.

Projects are expected to result in economic benefits to the company and to Ontario and build impactful longer-term collaborations between the researcher and the partner company.

OCI offers two main programs to support the collaboration between Academia and Industry:

VIP-NSERC Alliance

In partnership, NSERC Alliance grant and OCI’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) will support post-secondary R&D collaborations with the highest potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Ontario.

Individual proposals can request at least $20,000 up to $30,000 from NSERC (Alliance grant) and at least $20,000 up to $30,000 from OCI VIP, with a corresponding $20,000 to $30,000 contribution (cash + in-kind) from the industry partner (at least 50% must be cash provided to the academic institution). The streamlined joint application and decision process enables companies to quickly undertake new research collaborations with Ontario-based researchers and have their cash contribution leveraged by both NSERC and OCI. The mutually beneficial projects are expected to result in economic benefits to the company and to Ontario and build impactful longer-term collaborations between the researcher and the company.

• NSERC webpage updates link: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/VIP-BIP_eng.asp
• OCI webpage updates link: https://www.oc-innovation.ca/programs/voucher-for-innovation-and-productivity-vip/

VIP-Standalone

Individual proposals can request at least $20,000 up to $150,000 from OCI, with a corresponding 1:1 match from the industry partner (at least 50% must be cash provided to the academic institution).

Additional Program Information:

Eligibility:

 Applicant must be eligible to hold tri-council funding;

1. Applicant must be faculty from an eligible Ontario-based university;
2. Applicant must have an active OCE or NSERC peer reviewed grants;
3. Industry partner must be a for-profit SME organization with Canadian R&D and/or manufacturing operations related directly to the project;
4. Industry partner must have the capability to exploit the research results to create economic benefits;
5. Industry partner must have 5-499 full-time employees and have been in operation for at least 2 years.

Application/Nomination Process:

The combined VIP Alliance grant has a streamlined joint application and decision process. 

1. To start the application process for VIP Alliance, the industry partner must connect with their regional OCE business development and commercialization manager (BD);
2. Researchers will then work with the BD to vet the project through OCE. If it passes this vetting session, then the researcher may proceed to the full application through the NSERC Alliance website (requiring a Form 100A, Form 101, and the new joint proposal template (max 6 pages);
3. Applications will go to NSERC for a full review. If NSERC does not fund the application, OCE will also not fund the application (even if it passed the vetting under point 2 above).

Resources:

• Program website

Contact:

Thinking of applying? Contact the McMaster Industry Liaison Office for guidance documents and next steps: 

Amber Metham, Associate Director (Research Contracts): metham@mcmaster.ca

Ross Huyskamp, Research Contracts Advisor: huyskar@mcmaster.ca