Industrial Research Assistance Program IRAP - creating wealth for Canadians through technological innovation – 2004 Oct P. Meloche

IRAP’s Mission and strategic objective: Stimulating innovation of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

What is IRAP? An innovation assistance service of the National Research Council NRC CISTIIRAPInstitutes

What is IRAP? Maritimes Nfld. & Labrador Que. 55 Ont. 69 Sask. & Man. 25 Alta. 21 B.C. 36 Yukon N.-W.T. A national network of experienced advisors

IRAP’s Network includes over 100 technical organizations includes over 100 technical organizations is present in major and rural communities across Canada is present in major and rural communities across Canada is linked electronically is linked electronically Canadian Technology Network (CTN) Canadian Technology Network (CTN)

IRAP’s Reach (across Canada): 12,000 companies per year 12,000 companies per year 2,900 funded projects 2,900 funded projects all industry sectors all industry sectors range of capability levels range of capability levels

IRAP’s Advisors - experienced engineers and scientists who understand technology and business realities - provide technical and innovation-related advice and information - link clients with expertise, facilities and resources - provide funding to stimulate innovation in Canadian SMEs

Eligible Clients: Incorporated, for profit (with at least 1 employee) Incorporated, for profit (with at least 1 employee) Manufacturing and service sector with or without R&D in Canada Manufacturing and service sector with or without R&D in Canada Under 500 employees Under 500 employees Innovative Innovative

Eligible Projects: Strategically important to the company Strategically important to the company Technical challenge Technical challenge Defined / structured Defined / structured Measurable objectives Measurable objectives Business opportunity Business opportunity

IRAP supports a) Innovative projects a) Innovative projects b) Research Development and Adaptation b) Research Development and Adaptation c) IRAP-TPC (precommercialization) c) IRAP-TPC (precommercialization) d) Youth Employment Strategy (YES) d) Youth Employment Strategy (YES) e) International projects e) International projects f) Other IRAP support f) Other IRAP support

a) Small-scale Projects: Problem solving Problem solving Feasibility studies Feasibility studies Short-term R&D Short-term R&D

b) Research Development and Adaptation (RDA): Advancing unproven technologies Advancing unproven technologies Adapting existing technologies Adapting existing technologies Element of risk and technical uncertainty Element of risk and technical uncertainty From idea to proof of concept From idea to proof of concept

RDA Support Level: Up to 50% of the approved project costs applicable to: In-house technical salaries In-house technical salaries Contract / consultant costs Contract / consultant costs IRAP contribution may range from $5,000 up to $500,000 IRAP contribution may range from $5,000 up to $500,000

c) IRAP – TPC (Precommercialization): Context “Proof of concept” established “Proof of concept” established Development work required to bring proof of concept to beta product stage (min. tech. risk) Development work required to bring proof of concept to beta product stage (min. tech. risk) IP: rights or access to, protection measures IP: rights or access to, protection measures Business opportunity Business opportunity Capacity to complete project and exploit results Capacity to complete project and exploit results

IRAP – TPC (Precommercialization): Support Repayable contribution for work pre- competitive development Repayable contribution for work pre- competitive development Up to 1/3 of eligible project costs Up to 1/3 of eligible project costs To a maximum of $1,500,000 To a maximum of $1,500,000 Eligible technologies: manufacturing, materials, information, biotechnology, aerospace, defence, environment Eligible technologies: manufacturing, materials, information, biotechnology, aerospace, defence, environment

Eligible Activities under IRAP-TPC (Precommercialization): Scale-up Scale-up Development work Development work Advanced manufacturing Advanced manufacturing Pilot plant Pilot plant Performance trials for process & product Performance trials for process & product

d) Youth Employment Strategy (YES) Program: Provide work experience for young college / university graduates (all disciplines) Provide work experience for young college / university graduates (all disciplines) Unemployed or underemployed Unemployed or underemployed Max. contribution of $12K over 6-12 months Max. contribution of $12K over 6-12 months Opportunity to hire new employee Opportunity to hire new employee

e) Other IRAP support available within NCR: Market studies (CIC) Market studies (CIC) Techno-stratégie (BDC) Techno-stratégie (BDC) Competitive intelligence (VISTA) Competitive intelligence (VISTA) In-plant diagnostic studies In-plant diagnostic studies Management consultant (CMAC) Management consultant (CMAC)

IRAP can help via … Client Advice Networking Pre commercialization (IRAP-TPC) Diagnostic Studies New Employee (YES) Level A Innovation Strategy Canadian Technology Network (CTN) R&D Support (RDA) Technical Info Search Level B

IRAP Works! IRAP clients credit IRAP for: –improved technical capabilities –new products –enhanced sales –improved overall performance

To reach IRAP: Ontario: Tel: (416) Tel: (416) Toll free: Toll free: Quebec: Tel: (450) Tel: (450) Internet: