Sponsor

Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) 

Program

Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C) Program

For More Information

Visit the C2C Program Webpage [1].

Description

This 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 Ontario publicly funded university/research hospital, or applied research officer at Ontario publicly funded college 

Industry Partner: 

• For-profit company 
• Incorporated in Ontario for a minimum of two years, and five full-time equivalent (FTE) employees in Ontario
• Operations and/or R&D in Ontario with capacity to commercialize results of the project 

Project: 

• Utilizes unique skills/resources of post-secondary institution to meet industry innovation and commercialization needs 

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).
• 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 the program guidelines.

Indirect Costs

Overhead is not permitted as an eligible project expense for the OCI portion of the funding. Industry partner cash is subject to 40% overhead per the Full Cost of Research Policy [2].

Project Duration

6 to 24 months

Special Notes

Additional information can be found in OCI's Program Guidelines Document [1] including assessment process and criteria, evaluation criteria, project activation, funds and reporting. 

How to Apply

1. If you are ready to apply for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C), please connect with the Business Development and Commercialization Manager to start the process of initiating an application (Devon Staaf at the Research Services Office can facilitate this introduction).
2. 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 a funding application. 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.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
3. 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 the 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 to the Research Support Services Office for endorsement.

For assistance, please see OCI's Collaborate 2 Commercialize website [1] for a sample application form, eligible expenses guide and a copy of the funding agreement.