Sponsor
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Program
Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) Program formerly the Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) Program
For More Information
Please visit the Collaborate 2 Commercialize website.
Description
The Collaborate 2 Commercialize program (C2C), formerly the Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP) Program, supports the collaboration between Academia and Industry to solve an industry-based problem and drive the commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP). The institution 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.
Eligibility
Research Partner:
- Principal investigator at an Ontario‐accredited, publicly funded university/research hospital, or applied research officer at an Ontario‐accredited, publicly funded college (additional primary researchers must be listed as team members in the application). Principal investigator at an Ontario accredited, publicly funded university/research hospital, or applied research officer at an Ontario accredited, publicly funded college (additional primary researchers must be listed as team members in the application).
- Adjunct professors may be eligible on a case‐by‐case basis. At a minimum, the adjunct professor must:
- actively conduct research at an Ontario institution,
- be allowed by the institution to hold a grant and be given an institutional account, and,
- be allowed to supervise students.
- Has an arms‐length relationship with the industry partner.
- In good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
Industry Partner:
- For‐profit, incorporated in Ontario for at least two years, and has a valid CRA business number; has a minimum of five full‐time equivalent (FTE) employees in Ontario; is using or developing technology innovation or innovative processes for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets.
- Has operations (production and/or R&D) in Ontario related to the project.
- Has the intent and potential to apply, exploit and/or commercialize the results of the project for the economic benefit of Ontario.
- Has the necessary expertise and resources to put the project into effect within an appropriate timeframe.
- Company subsidiaries (organizations with headquarters outside of Ontario) are eligible, provided that the Ontario operations meet all the above criteria.
- In good financial and reporting standing with OCI.
- A company cannot hold more than $150,000 in C2C funding at one time, or $525,000 of Industry/Academic Collaborative Grants/Investments in a lifetime. Companies with over $150,000 in active C2C projects must complete those projects (including all final reporting) prior to OCI considering other applications for funding. Exemptions to this rule must be authorized by the VP, BD and provided by the PM and Program Lead with the application.
Project:
- Leverages the unique capabilities of the research environment and of the post‐secondary research team, and is non‐competitive with Ontario private‐sector capabilities.
- Intellectual Property (IP) arising from the project will be managed by the project participants as OCI does not claim or manage IP rights.
- All participants must co‐operate in providing project outcomes and metrics in required reports.
More details on eligibility criteria can be found in OCI's Program Guidelines Document.
Funding Availability
OCI Contribution
- 50 per cent (maximum) of total eligible project costs, from $20,000 to $150,000.
- Minimum OCI contribution $20,000 per year.
SME Project Contribution
- 50 per cent (minimum) of total eligible project costs (i.e., minimum 1:1 match to OCI contribution), in cash.
- At least half of the 1:1 match must be spent at the post‐secondary institution; remainder may be spent at the company.
- Cannot be leveraged with other federal or provincial grant programs unless otherwise stated in this program guideline.
Indirect Costs
Overhead is not an eligible project expense and should not be included in the project budget. Overhead on the OCI contribution will be remitted separately by OCI to the institution (10 per cent of OCI contributions to direct project costs).
Project Duration
Projects duration is from 6 to 24 months.
Special Notes
Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.
Additional information can be found in OCI's Program Guidelines Document including assessment process and criteria, evaluation criteria, project activation, funds and reporting.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Notes |
|---|---|
Internal Deadline | Program has a rolling deadline. Please submit your completed application, including budget and OR-5, to research.services@uoguelph.ca one week before your planned submission date. Please ensure both the Industry Partner and Research Partner (UG faculty member) have jointly completed the application in the OCI portal, including terms and conditions. |
How to Apply
- If you are ready to apply for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C), the Industry Partner should connect with their Business Development and Commercialization Manager to start the process towards initiating an application.
- If new to OCI, the Industry Partner should complete the Program Enquiry Form to be connected with a Business Development Manager to discuss C2C eligibility and how to start the application process. Please note that completion of this form does not constitute an application for funding. Once the Program Enquiry Form has been completed, an OCI Business Development Manager (BDM) will contact the applicant within two business days to discuss the opportunity.
- The opportunity will undergo an initial vetting and due diligence assessment by OCI to ensure that opportunities fulfill all eligibility criteria and are suitable for the C2C program. The opportunity must be both eligible and suitable to move forward in this very competitive program.
- If the opportunity is selected as eligible and suitable for the program, you will be sent an auto‐generated link to OCI’s online application system, AccessOCI, to complete the application. The application will remain open for 90 days.
- Complete the online application form. Both the Industry Partner and the Research Partner can log into OCI’s AccessOCI using a username and password to complete the application. If it is the first time you are using AccessOCI, please follow instructions to create a username and password. The application must be completed jointly between the Industry Partner and the Research Partner. Please ensure only eligible expenses are included in the budget as OCI will not reimburse ineligible expenses. Once both the Industry Partner and Research Partner have jointly completed the application including terms and conditions, it must then be submitted (by either partner) to the Office of Research Services for endorsement.
For assistance, please see OCI's Collaborate 2 Commercialize website for a sample application form, eligible expenses guide and a copy of the funding agreement.