1. Five Steps To Effective Research Proposals

2. Ontario Centres of Excellence
Materials and Manufacturing Ontario
OCE
Photonics Research Ontario
CRESTech
Communications and Information Technology Ontario

3. Project Leaders and Students Universities and Colleges
CITO’s Stakeholders
Project Leaders and Students
Universities and Colleges
Ontario Business

4. CITO’s Value Proposition
For researchers
For business and industry
For the economy

5. CITO’s Strategy Invest in research and innovation
Facilitate partnerships between academic researchers and industry
Facilitate technology and knowledge transfer
Manage commercialization initiatives & new business growth

6. Research and the Institution

7. The role of research Why do research?
How does your research agenda fit strategy and direction of the institution?

8. Institutional Culture
A commitment and shared understanding by all concerned parties as to the role and direction of research
Ability to undertake a research agenda
Tech transfer capabilities that have the capacity to be effective internally and externally

9. Play to your strengths What is your institution known for?
Are there key business sectors in your market that can guide this focus?
How do you differentiate yourself from other institutions?
How does the focus fit with the overall direction of the institution?

10. Securing Research Investment
How to lever your value proposition?
Clearly articulated strategy & plan?
Relationships with research investment agencies
Relationships with government

11. Industry Relationships

12. Developing industry relationships
What are your research strengths and their industrial relevance?
What is your value proposition?
Identify appropriate companies; contact and build relationships with key people – understand their direction: Get out there and know your partner

13. Securing Industry Partnerships
What programs are available to the industry partner that might strengthen your case?
Be aware of them

14. Business centric Tax credits and other programs
SR&ED tax credit program
Provincial R&D tax credit programs
IRAP
Others

15. Planning your proposal

16. What are the goals of the research investment agency?
Understand their vision and goals - position your proposal accordingly
Carefully read the instructions and program criteria
Understand the review criteria - address all aspects and requirements

17. Considerations for a good proposal
Why is your work innovative?
What work is being done is this area by others – is it a crowded space?
What is its relevance? What market exists and how will it be adopted / commercialized?
What is the commitment and capability of your industrial partner to commercialize your work?

18. A good proposal includes:
A clear, concise and compelling abstract – (Clear goals and rationale)
Focused objectives and methodologies
Clearly articulated technical and industrial merits
Demonstrable commitment from the industrial partner

19. Writing a good proposal
Be mindful of your audiences
Stay focused and clear in all aspects
Have measurable goals and milestones
If your proposal raises questions, does it provide plausible answers?
Have it reviewed by a peer and a layperson
Make sure it is well written, has all required signatures and meets deadlines

20. Results Being accountable Demonstrating results
Building long-term relationships

21. Research Tools
The various research investment agencies and their programs - your tools

22. CITO Investment Programs
A Suite of Complementary Programs
Student Internships
Research Partnerships
Champions of Innovation
Tech Readiness Fund
Accelerator Pre-seed Fund
Entrepreneur Training

23. Student Internship Program
Supports grad students for one year
CITO Funds $20k with a matching in-kind and cash contribution from industry ($10k minimum)
A good tool to attract or retain students
A good tool to begin a relationship with a business – a win – win for all

24. Research Partnership Program
Supports projects usually for 2 years with investment of up to $200k per year
Projects should have industrial relevance and are undertaken in collaboration with industry
Collaborator is the receptor of the technology
In best case scenarios will realize a ROI for all parties

25. Champions of Innovation
Invests in innovative projects that have the potential to result in the next disruptive technology
Researchers have a proven track record in innovation and commercialization
No Industry partner is required
Expected to feed in to commercialization programs

26. Tech Readiness Program
Invests in the commercial development of research results
Short term projects, usually no more than 6 months with budgets of $20 – 30k
No IP agreements or any other encumbrances
Very flexible in terms of how funds can be used

27. Accelerator Program
Invests in start-up or early stage companies that involve a CITO researcher and their work
Pre-seed funding of up to $250k invested as a convertible debenture
Designed to help get new companies off the ground and secure further financing
Converts at the same rate as series A or can be repaid at prime + 1

28. Entrepreneur Training
Benefits researchers interested in developing their business and entrepreneurial skills.
Available to CITO-supported researchers and students - past and present
Can be used to support participation in appropriate courses and seminars

29. Tech Transfer and commercialization
Licensing and other Tech Transfer services
Extensive business and finance network
Assist institutions in establishing institutional TT capabilities
Assist with the start-up of new companies

30. Questions ?
Five Steps To Effective Research Proposals

31. Investment Structure Research Project Results:
IP owned by its inventor, subject to the policies of the college
Colleges can use IP for research and educational purposes
The inventor(s) may publish and disclose the IP and research results with written consent of the college, CITO and third party sponsors
CITO acts as “commercialization manager” and has right to an exclusive license
business partner receives a non-commercial license to use any IP for internal R&D at the start of the project
partners develop commercialization plan together at the end of the project
business partner has a time-limited exclusive option to negotiate a commercial license
Commercial license should ideally result in a return of at least three (3) times CITO’s investment, or a commercially reasonable return