Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance
Highlights
If your business is focused on technology-driven innovation, this program is designed for you. It offers financial support for research and development projects at various stages. With funding up to $10 million, this program can significantly boost your growth and expansion efforts.
Why Apply?
- Substantial Funding: Up to $10 million for larger R&D projects.
- Expert Guidance: Access to an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) who will help identify gaps and recommend strategies.
- Shared Costs: Financial contributions to share the costs of your R&D activities.
Benefits
- Transformative Growth: Achieve significant growth within 5 years.
- Economic Impact: Contribute to Canada's economy.
- Tailored Support: Monthly reimbursement claims and ongoing support from your ITA.
Qualifying is straightforward if your business meets the criteria. This program can provide the resources and expertise you need to innovate and grow.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Repayment Terms:
- No repayment required.
Eligible Expenses:
- Research and development costs.
- Salaries and wages for project staff.
- Materials and supplies directly related to the project.
- Subcontractor fees for specialized services.
- Equipment and software necessary for the project.
Ineligible Expenses:
- General operational costs not related to the project.
- Marketing and sales expenses.
- Travel expenses not directly tied to project activities.
- Office supplies and administrative costs.
Fees:
- No application or processing fees.
Qualifications
- Must be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada.
- Must have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Must plan to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada.
Disqualifications:
- None specified in the provided context.
Description
If your business is focused on technology-driven innovation, this program offers significant financial support. You can receive up to $10 million to fund your research and development projects. This money can be used at various stages of your innovation cycle, helping you develop and commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes.
The funding is designed to help your business grow rapidly and significantly. The goal is to achieve transformative growth within five years of completing your project. This can lead to substantial benefits for your business and contribute positively to Canada's economy.
There is no need to pay back the funding. Instead, you will submit monthly reimbursement claims for your project activities. An industrial technology advisor (ITA) will support you throughout your project, ensuring you have the guidance needed to succeed. This program is an excellent opportunity to take your business to the next level.
Program Steps
Contact NRC IRAP: Call 1-877-994-4727 to initiate the application process and connect with an industrial technology advisor (ITA).
Prepare Documentation: Gather the following documents:
- Business plan or pitch deck
- Company financial statements
- Resumes or biographies for each member of the management and technical teams
Meet with ITA: Schedule a meeting with your ITA to discuss your business strategy, challenges, growth opportunities, and future plans.
Develop Project Proposal: Based on the ITA's assessment, create a detailed project proposal. This should include:
- Technical aspects of the project
- Potential impacts on your business
- Business, management, and financial capacity
- Commercialization plan
- Market and commercialization opportunity
- Anticipated benefits to Canada
Submit Proposal: Submit your project proposal to NRC IRAP for review. The assessment process typically takes up to three months.
Receive Feedback: NRC IRAP will evaluate your proposal and provide feedback. If successful, you will receive a financial contribution to share the costs of your R&D project activities.
Submit Monthly Claims: Throughout your project, submit monthly reimbursement claims to NRC IRAP. Your ITA will support you during this phase.
Following these steps will help you access the financial support needed to drive your technology-driven innovation and contribute to your business growth.