Idea to Innovation Grants

To bring promising university research results to the market through early stages of technology and market validation.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Overview of the Idea to Innovation Grants program:

The objective of Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector, and to promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company. I2I grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. This is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection. Application deadlines: June 20, 2025 September 22, 2025

Benefits of the Idea to Innovation Grants program:

Eligible research and development activities include:
Refining and implementing designs
Verifying application
Conducting field studies
Preparing demonstrations
Building prototypes
Performing beta trials

Eligibility criteria of the Idea to Innovation Grants program:

Phase I and phase II applications will be evaluated against the following criteria. Note that the selection committee will use a subset of the selection criteria, plus additional ones specifically related to market assessment, to review the market assessment applications.
Scientific/technical merit
Scientific basis for the expected commercial application
Clarity and focus of research objectives
Novelty, technical complexity, technical risk and feasibility
Appropriateness of work plan, milestones, deliverables and decision points
Team expertise and project management
Breadth and depth of team expertise in the proposed fields of activity
Business experience or available support
Adequacy of personnel and material resources allocated for research and
Technology transfer activities
Quality of project management
Potential for technology transfer and commercial benefits
The commitment of the institution through its technology transfer office (or
Equivalent)
Appropriateness of the technology management and transfer plan
Anticipated benefits for a Canadian company
Justification of the benefits of NSERC financing
Market assessment
Signs of market interest
Relevant essential questions have been incorporated into the market analysis
Appropriateness of the consultant and statement of work
Suitability of the proposed primary research
Phases that can apply:
Phase I: up to one year
Phase IIa: from 6 to 18 months