Sponsor
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Program
Joint Alliance Advantage - Collaborate 2 Commercialize Stream
For More Information
Joint Program-Specific Information
NSERC Alliance Resources
- Revised Guidelines on assessment of contributions to research, training and mentoring
- NSERC Alliance Advantage - Frequently Asked Questions
- NSERC Alliance Grant Application Checklist
- Research Innovation Office NSERC Alliance Resources
- NSERC Competitive Review Funding Process: NSERC Alliance Grants Evaluation and Competitive Selection Process
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Resources:
- Alliance Grants: Equity, diversity and inclusion in training plans
- NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research
- New IEDI in Research Self-Directed Learning Course Now Available on CourseLink
National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships Resources:
- U of G Guide for Completing the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships’ Risk Assessment Form - NSERC Alliance
- U of G Guide to Mitacs Research Security Requirements
- NSERC Alliance Grants - National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships
- Safeguarding your Research Portal
Description
In partnership, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC – Alliance Advantage grants) and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI – Collaborate 2 Commercialize [C2C] program) are offering C2C Alliance Advantage grants to support post-secondary research and development collaborations with the highest potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Ontario.
Universities will leverage the unique skills and specialized infrastructure that is instrumental to streamline internal innovations and commercialization needs, resulting in targeted training of individuals and direct engagement with industry to work on commercially viable solutions. The program supports efforts that are intended to commercialize research results within 3 years post-project.
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 both to the company and to Ontario and to build impactful, longer-term collaborations between the researcher and the company.
Applications will be accepted through targeted calls for proposals during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The first call, open from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026, will focus on defense and dual-use technologies.
Eligibility
- Faculty must meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria at the time of application and when funding is released.
- Faculty must be from an eligible Ontario-based university with an active OCI or NSERC peer-reviewed grant.
- Faculty are encouraged to collaborate with experts in fields other than the natural sciences and engineering, where appropriate, since implementing policy or applying the research results can depend on socioeconomic considerations as well as scientific understanding. Academic researchers outside the natural sciences and engineering may participate in proposals as co-applicants if they meet NSERC’s eligibility requirements for the type, duration and nature of the appointment. Research costs for these collaborations may account for up to 30% of the project costs and must be identified in the project budget.
Consult the C2C Program Guidelines section on Partnered Project Eligibility for full details on company eligibility.
Funding Availability
Applications will be accepted through targeted calls for proposals during the 2026-27 fiscal year. The first call, open from June 1, 2026 to July 31, 2026, will focus on defense and dual-use technologies.
Maximum Project Value
Individual proposals can request from $20,000 up to $50,000 from NSERC Alliance Advantage grants and from $20,000 up to $50,000 from OCI C2C, with a corresponding $20,000 to $50,000 from the industry partner (at least 50% must be cash provided to the academic institution).
Indirect Costs
Eligible partner organization's funding matched to NSERC and OCI is subject to 25% indirect costs, upon successful award outcome, in line with the Full Cost of Research Policy.
Project Duration
Up to 12 months (one year)
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | A completed OR-5 must be submitted to the Research Services Office (research.services@uoguelph.ca) a minimum of one (1) week before the deadline. The OR-5 should outline all sources of funding (NSERC, OCI and Partner Organization funding). A completed application includes the lead applicant 'submitting' in the NSERC system. In order for the lead applicant to verify/submit in the NSERC system, all co-applicants and partner funding invitations must be completed. To allow more time for strategic review of the application, applicants are encouraged to share the proposal and application components with RSO, RIO-IL and their College-level research contacts, in advance of the internal deadline. | |
External Deadline | The Research Services Office will submit the full application on behalf of the applicant to NSERC through their online system. |
How to Apply
Step 1: The industry partner must connect with their business development and commercialization manager to start the application process. OCI will oversee an initial vetting and due diligence of submitted project summaries to ensure that requests for funding fulfill all eligibility criteria and are suitable. If your project is selected as eligible and suitable, you will be sent a link to access the required proposal template for C2C Alliance Advantage.
Step 2: The lead faculty member/applicant will fill out the C2C Alliance Advantage proposal template provided by OCI using a maximum of 8 pages (a maximum of 7 pages for an average annual request of up to $75,000 plus one page for the Potential for commercialization section) and following the instructions for completing an Alliance grant application.
Step 3: Lead applicant initiates an application through NSERC’s online system. Applicants must complete all application components and supporting documents, including the Personal data form with Common CV attachment for the applicant and all co-applicants (Form100a). Lead applicant must invite their contact person from the partner organization via NSERC's online system to provide information about their organization following the partner organization instructions. A letter of support is not needed.
Consult the C2C Program Guidelines for a summary of information that needs to be addressed in a completed application.
Step 4: Lead applicant verifies and submits the application in the NSERC system, which allows Research Services to complete their final review before facilitating final submission to NSERC.
Information For Co-applicants
If you are participating in this opportunity as a co-applicant and need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution, please ensure that you provide Research Services with at least five days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with Research Services (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal OR-5 Form).