Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
What is it?
Financial support and "consulting" services to Canadian
companies in all industry sectors to encourage innovative products,
processes and technology.
This broad and widely-used program has 240 technology advisors
-- mostly engineers and scientists with at least 10 years' industry
experience. They provide advice and may provide eligible companies
with funding to help you: strengthen your technological abilities;
improve production and processes; conduct market research; gather
competitive intelligence; and access or adapt new technology
What is the benefit to your company?
There are quite a few interesting and useful programs available
to food companies and others, through IRAP. Some are cost-shared
grant programs that will match your project contribution; others
are service-oriented. The IRAP Program only supports eligible in-house
technical labour costs as well as approved subcontracted costs.
There are four key funding activities:
- Small Projects under $50,000 can receive up to 50% of the project's
cost. This funding will support feasibility studies, technical
analyses and problem-solving, short and long-term research and
development, and international travel to assess and acquire foreign
technology. For Example - Develop hand held microwaveable breakfast
products.
- Medium projects between $50,000 and $150,000 can receive up
to 50% funding. This funding will support the same types of activities
as the 'small' projects initiative but entail more technically
challenging research and development
- Large projects between $150,000 and $650,000 can receive up
to 50% funding. This funding will support projects designed to
adapt existing technologies, advance unproven technologies, and
large research and development projects to the proof of concept
stage. For Example - Develop a natural flavour through use of
bacteria/enzymatic processes.
In general, your project must be novel, innovative, realistic technically
and financially feasible for your company, and advance your company's
technical capabilities. The project must involve technical risk
and challenges, and the project's resulting product, process, or
service must have an economic benefit to your company.
Who Qualifies?
"For profit" companies that are incorporated, legal Canadian
entities with fewer than 500 employees. Subdivisions that operate
as autonomous, stand-alone profit/loss centres that have fewer than
500 employees may still apply even if their parent company employs
more than 500 people in Canada.
You must have at least one technical employee drawing a salary
and generating a T-4 slip.
How do I apply?
Talk about your project or idea with your local Industrial Technology
Advisor. They will walk you through the steps and provide guidance.
You can find out who your local advisor is by contacting IRAP's
Ontario regional office at:
National Research Council
Industrial Research Assistance Program
25-55 St. Clair Ave E., Suite 903
Toronto, ON, M4T 1M2
Toll-free telephone: 1-877-994-4727
Telephone: (416) 973-4484
Fax: (416) 973-4303
Where can I find more information?
IRAP's website
