Collaborate 2 Commercialize (C2C)

Description

The Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) 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. The program supports efforts that are intended to commercialize research results within 3 years post project.

Program Information and Eligibility Requirements Program Overview and Benefits The Collaborate to Commercialize (C2C) 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. The program supports efforts that are intended to commercialize research results within 3 years post project. When applying to C2C, eligible applicants can also leverage funds from several federal Co-Funding Partners, through a streamlined, single-application process. 

 

Current Co-Funding Partners include:

 • NSERC – Alliance 

• NSERC – ARD Benefits to Industry Partners Benefits to Post-Secondary Institutions (Researchers and Students)

 • Gain access to cutting-edge knowledge, new talent, unique facilities, and equipment to extend company R&D capabilities 

• Create solutions to current industry challenges, leading to revenue and job creation, follow-on investment, increased productivity and/or cost savings

 • Access several provincial and federal funding sources through one application 

• Establish relationships within the research teams across Ontario 

• Use knowledge and innovative ideas, to help solve real-world R&D challenges 

• Establish relationships with industry and within OCI’s networks 

• Provide students with valuable experiential learning opportunities OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 3 |

 Page How Funding Works OCI Contribution SME Project Contributions Example 

• 50 per cent (maximum) of total eligible project costs, from $20,000 to $150,000 

• Minimum OCI contribution $20,000 per year 

• Project duration can be between 6 months up to 24 months (maximum) 

• 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

 • Example total eligible project costs $200,000 • Maximum OCI contribution $100,000 to post-secondary institution 

• Minimum Industry Partner contribution 100,000 ($50,000 to postsecondary institution, plus $50,000 spent at the company) OCI Funding Recipient Institutional Overhead 

• Publicly funded post-secondary institution (i.e., university, college, research hospital) Institutional Overhead 

• 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) 

• Overhead on the Industry Partner contribution payable to the institution must be discussed with the institution’s research office at the time of application, to ensure it is correctly accounted for Applicants may jointly apply for the following co-funding with an OCI C2C application where all eligibility criteria are met. 

 

Please see the Eligibility tab (Co-Funder Eligibility) for more details. 

• NSERC – Alliance 

• NSERC – ARD OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 4 | Page

 

 NSERC ‐ Alliance NSERC ‐ Alliance Contribution OCI - $20,000 to $30,000; NSERC - $20,000 to $30,000 Industry Partner Matching (Minimum) $30,000 (minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution) Maximum Project Duration 12 months Sector All NSERC ‐ ARD NSERC ‐ ARD Contribution OCI - $20,000 to $30,000; NSERC - $20,000 to $30,000 SME Project Contributor (Minimum) $30,000 (minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution) Maximum Project Duration 12 months Sector All Eligibility Requirements OCI C2C eligibility requirements are listed on this page. 

Please review the list of additional eligibility requirements when jointly applying to federal Co-Funding Partners. 

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). 

• Adjunct professors may be eligible on a case-by-case basis. 

At a minimum, the adjunct professor must: 1) actively conduct research at an Ontario institution, 2) be allowed by the institution to hold a grant and be given an institutional account, and 3) be allowed to supervise students. 

• Has an arms‐length relationship with the industry partner. 

• In good financial and reporting standing with OCI. SME Project Contributor 

• The C2C program funding is focused on supporting small and medium size enterprises (SME). 

• For-profit, incorporated in Ontario for at least two years, and has a valid Ontario-based 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. OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 5 | Page 

• 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 

• For details on the OCI lifetime funding limit, please refer to this link • 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 in writing for consideration to the VP, Business Development and the Director, R&D Collaborations and Commercialization, provided by the Program Manager and Program Lead in advance of initiating an application. (e.g., when a company has been successful in deploying the initial cash to scale up, have grown in a significant way and have delivered on outcomes). 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 (note: Co-Funding Partners may have different IP policies; please consult their guidelines for more information). 

• All participants must co-operate in providing project outcomes and metrics in required reports.

 • Industry partners should be able to commercialize research results no more than 3 years after the C2C project ends. Projects that require animal trials are often beyond the program commercialization horizon. Please consult with your Business Development Manager if your projects require animal trials. Please visit the C2C Program web page for a copy of the eligible expense guidelines C2C Partnered Project Eligibility, NSERC NSERC Alliance Eligibility Applicant 

• NSERC Alliance Applicant. • Eligible to hold Tri-Council funds. 

• Faculty from an eligible Ontario-based University. 

• University researchers with active OCI or NSERC peer-reviewed grants. 

• Adjunct professors will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Adjunct professors who meet NSERC’s eligibility criteria and whose primary place of employment is at an eligible Canadian university may apply to NSERC grants programs. SME Contributor 

• For-profit SME organization, with Canadian R&D and/or manufacturing operations related directly to the project, and the capability to exploit the research results.

 • Has under 500 full-time employees globally and has been in operations for a minimum of two years. OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 6 | Page Project/Expenses 

• Up to $30,000 from NSERC Alliance, up to $30,000 from OCI C2C and minimum $30,000 from the industry partner (minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution) 

• Project duration up to 12 months • SME-University R&D collaborations with the high potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Ontario 

• Please refer to the full NSERC Alliance guidelines for program eligibility and information NSERC ARD for Colleges Eligibility Applicant • Ontario-based College eligible to hold Tri-Council funds SME Contributor 

• For-profit SME organization, with Canadian R&D and/or manufacturing operations related directly to the project, and the capability to exploit the research results. 

• Has of 5-499 full-time employees and has been in operation for a minimum of two years. 

• Industrial partners are limited to two ARD grants awarded per fiscal year (April 1-March 31; includes the company’s combined ‘ARD Grant for Universities’ and ‘ARD Grant for Colleges’ participation for that year; includes C2C-ARD and standalone ARD projects). However, partners providing cash contributions to ongoing NSERC-funded projects outside of ARD will be allowed up to two additional ARD applications per year. Project/Expenses

 • Up to $30,000 from NSERC, up to $30,000 from OCI C2C and minimum $30,000 from the industry partner (minimum 50% must be spent at the academic institution). 

• Project duration up to 12 months.

 • SME-College R&D collaborations with the high potential for regional economic development and commercialization in Ontario.

 • Equipment/material/operating costs (up to 20 per cent of NSERC budget), overhead/administration (up to 20 per cent of NSERC budget), project management (up to 10 per cent of NSERC budget), and faculty release costs (up to $9,000/course/semester)

 • Travel expenses are eligible for college personnel to conduct the project but do not include international conferences to present research results.

 • For C2C–ARD partners are limited to two ARD grants awarded per fiscal year (April 1-March 31; includes the company’s combined C2C-ARD and standalone ARD projects). However, partners providing cash contributions to ongoing NSERC-funded projects outside of ARD will be allowed up to two additional ARD applications per year. 

• Please refer to the full NSERC ARD for Colleges guidelines for program eligibility and information.

 

Application Process and Timelines If you are ready to apply for the Collaborate 2 Commercialize Program (C2C), the Industry Partner should connect with their OCI Business Development Manager (BDM) to start the process towards initiating an application. If new to OCI, the Industry Partner should complete the Program Enquiry Form (click above) 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 you shortly to discuss the opportunity and if required, to assist in identifying a Research Partner. The process is as follows: 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 autogenerated 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 in the AccessOCI portal. Both industry partner and research partner can log into OCI's AccessOCI portal. 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 (Client) and the Research Partner (Applicant). Please ensure only OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 8 | Page 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 post-secondary institution’s Research Office for endorsement.

 

Assessment Process and Criteria C2C is a discretionary, non-entitlement program with limited funding. All eligible applications undergo a review process where the applications are assessed against program objectives and assessment criteria. Not all eligible applications will be approved for funding. 1. Complete applications will undergo a written external peer review by three subject-matter experts from academia, industry and/or government. Reviewers are contractually bound by confidentiality and conflict of interest requirements. 2. Recommendations from the peer review process will be assessed by OCI’s Internal Review Panel, which will have responsibility for the final OCI decision. Decision notifications are typically provided within 35 days of application submission. Evaluation Criteria Applications will be evaluated against assessment criteria including: • Significance of the challenge/opportunity to support the company’s business strategy and/or growth. • Rationale for the proposed project to address the company-specific problem or opportunity. • Clarity and appropriateness of the research and development methodology, objectives, and roles of each partner. • Feasibility of the project plan (i.e., milestones, budget, timeframe, project management plan and risks). • Appropriateness of the team’s experience, expertise, and resources to perform the proposed project. • Clarity of the rationale and plan for collaboration between the research team and company. • Clarity and feasibility of the plan to implement and/or commercialize the project results, including management of Intellectual Property emerging from the project, and next steps after the project completion. • Adequacy of the company resources and capacity to commercialize the results. • Likelihood of economic benefit for the company in Ontario (including job creation/retention, new revenue generation, investment attraction, cost savings, value chain development) within three OCI - C2C Program Guidelines 9 | Page years of project completion. • Overall quality and completeness of the application.

 

Project Activation, Funds and Reporting Project Activation • Upon approval of a project for funding, the post-secondary institution and industry partner will be forwarded a copy of OCI’s standard Funding Agreement. This Funding Agreement must be signed, via OCI’s online electronic signature function, by the institution and industry within 30 days of notification of award. Failure to sign the Funding Agreement may result in the project being withdrawn. • A copy of the Funding Agreement can be downloaded for your reference (see below). Please do not fill out this form as a copy of the agreement will be generated through OCI’s online management system and sent to you upon approval of your project. • The purpose of the OCI Funding Agreement is to define roles and obligations for the project partners with regards to OCI’s guidelines and funding contribution only. Project partners are encouraged to enter into a separate research agreement to ensure agreement on other roles and responsibilities specific to the project. • The project will be activated upon receipt of the signed funding agreement. The start date will be by default the date of activation and cannot be changed. Reference Documents o OCI Funding Agreement Flow of Funds • The OCI contributions are provided to the post-secondary institution. Upon activation, OCI will release an advance payment equal to 25 per cent of the OCI award amount. Subsequent payments are made upon submission and approval of progress reports and reimbursement requests. 10 per cent of the OCI award will be held back until project completion. For example: Example OCI academic Overhead $10,000 Example OCI Award amount $100,000 Funds released upon project activation $25,000 Holdback $10,000 • OCI will not release any funds until the project is activated and will not be held responsible for any expenses incurred for the project prior to approval of award. If for any reason the requirements for activation are not met within thirty (30) days from the date of release of the approval notification, the funding offer may be retracted. • All Industry Partner cash contributions to be spent at the post-secondary institution must be provided directly to the institution. The institution will be requested to provide confirmation of receipt of these funds. • The holdback will be released upon project completion, receipt, and approval of the following: Research Partner (Applicant) and Client final progress and financial reports, outcomes, and attestation from the institution regarding the use of funds.