Sponsor
Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance
Program
2019 Gryphon's LAAIR Funding Program
For More Information
For more detailed information please see the attached Program Guides or visit the Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance Gryphon's LAAIR.
Description
The Gryphon's LAAIR Funding Program provides financial support to University of Guelph researchers attempting to commercialize new technologies that will enrich the Ontario agri-food sector. Grants will be used to turn new technologies into innovations through disciplined, evidence based market research, prototype development, product feature optimization, market analysis, business model design, value proposition enhancement, new venture creation, and customer discovery.
These grants provide targeted financial support to help researchers:
- Validate and confirm the market opportunity for a new technology by performing primary and secondary market research. (Market Validation Grants)
- Develop and optimize their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) based on a new technology and remove any existing barriers that are preventing industry from adopting and commercializing the technology. (Product Development Grants)
Eligibility
Applicants (Project Leaders) must be UofG faculty or an eligible Adjunct (Adjunct Eligibility Criteria) and eligible to hold Tri-council grants.
Project Leaders must be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of expertise related to the developmental needs of the new technology.
Funding Availability
A total of $400,000 will be allocated to successful proposals using two types of grants.
Funds will be available to start projects by the 1 May 2019.
Maximum Project Value
Market Validation Grants: no more than $20,000 each, approximately seven will be available.
Product Development Grants: no more than $100,000 each, approximately three will be available.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs (overhead) are zero (0%), therefore all funding will be allocated to the operational budget outlined in your grant proposal.
Project Duration
Market Validation Grants: no more than one year.
Product Development Grants: no more than three years.
Special Notes
Successfully funded and completed Market Validation Projects will have an increased probability of securing a Product Development Grant in the following year.
Deadlines
| Type | Date |
|---|---|
External Deadline |
How to Apply
On-Line Application Process
Applications must be submitted on-line using the OMAFRA Research Management System (RMS).
A login and password are required. If you do not have an RMS account, please contact an IT advisor at rmsanalyst@uoguelph.ca to obtain access to RMS.
Pre-submission Consultation
All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff at the the Research Innovation Office (RIO) before applying to discuss the suitability of a potential proposal.
RIO Staff includes: David Hobson, Martin Ciuk, Rattan Gill, Gregor Lawson, Vanja Djukic, Dana McCauley or Steve DeBrabandere
Selection Criteria
Please review the Program Guides (attached) to understand the selection criteria used to evaluate your proposal.
Town Hall Meeting
For additional Information: All are welcome to attend a Town Hall meeting at 12:15 to 1pm on Wednesday 13 February 2019 in the Pathobiology Building, OVC, Room PAHL 1810 (the round room!)
Attachment(s)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Market Validation Grants - Program Guide | 96.42 KB |
| Product Development Grants - Program Guide | 105.65 KB |