The objective of the Idea to Innovation (I2I) grant is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology and promote its transfer to Canadian companies. I2I provides assistance to college and university faculty members in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.
I2I includes a suite of grant types. The following table provides a quick summary of I2I Phase II (Technology Enhancement) grants, the phase requiring partners.
Who manages funds? | University or college and lead professor or faculty member |
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Use of funds | Technology development (proof-of-concept), technology enhancement, refining and implementing designs, verifying application, conducting field studies, preparing demonstrations, building engineering prototypes, and performing beta trials. |
Duration of award | Phase IIa, 6-18 months; Phase IIb, maximum of 2 years |
Are multiple professors involved? | If appropriate, but not required. |
Typical application success rate | Approximately 50% |
Typical grant range | Up to $125,000 for phase IIa and up to $350,000 over two years for phase IIb |
Type of partners required | Investors (including early-stage investment entities) and Canadian-based companies |
Minimum company contribution | Phase IIa, 1/3 of project costs in cash; phase IIb, 1/2 of project costs in cash and in kind |
Is the contribution eligible for the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentive? | Yes. Consult your local
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Application deadline | Four times per year, see I2I description. |
Evaluation method | All proposals are peer-reviewed by external reviewers and the I2I Selection Committee. |
When does the I2I Committee meet? | April, June, September, and December |
Evaluation time | 10 to 12 weeks from the application deadline |
Is NSERC willing to review drafts? | Yes |
For more detailed information, please refer to the Idea to Innovation Grant description.