Key Terms and Acronyms

h2EA - Hydrogen Early Adopters: a program of TPC designed to support demonstration of new hydrogen technology concepts.

IC - Industry Canada

IRAP - Industrial Research Assistance Program: an innovation assistance program offered by the National Research Council of Canada

ITA - Industrial Technology Advisors: an NRC network of advisors that deliver innovation assistance under the IRAP program.

JSF - Joint Strike Fighter Initiative

NRC - National Research Council of Canada

R&D - Research and Development

SDI - Supplier Development Initiative

SME - Small and medium-sized enterprise: generally considered as a business under 500 employees.

SOA - Special Operating Agency

TPC - Technology Partnerships Canada

Aerospace & Defence technologies sector - A component of TPC which partners in research and development with aerospace and defence companies: from the design and construction of complete systems and aircrafts, to fabricating components used by large multi-national companies, from technologies used in simulation and training exercises to the maintenance and repair of existing systems.

Annual Information Update (AIU) - a series of annual report, prepared by the proponent, that provides information on the activities and benefits of the research and development project during that year. The proponent is obligated to provide the AIU during both the Work Phase and the Benefits Phase.

Benefits Phase - the period during which the applicant brings the technology developed through the research and development project to market and creates the anticipated benefits for the proponent and for Canada.

Commercialization - the phase where a product or service goes to market

Contribution - financial assistance provided by the Crown to the proponent in support of the project and to further the objectives of increasing economic growth, creating jobs and wealth and supporting sustainable development.

Contribution Agreement - the agreement, signed by both the proponent and the Crown, which sets out the terms and conditions of the pre-commercial research and development project and the TPC contribution.

Eligible Activities - project activities that are eligible for a contribution under a Contribution Agreement with TPC.

Eligible Costs -includes direct labour and material costs specifically incurred by the proponent in performance of the project plus a reasonable allocation of indirect or overhead costs. Specialized equipment for the project may be eligible as well. TPC does not support costs fro land and buildings. Please contact your TPC Innovation Officer if you have additional questions regarding cost eligibility.

Enabling technologies sector - The component of TPC that encourages and supports the development, application and diffusion of those critical technologies that have the potential to significantly improve the performance and productivity of a wide range of Canadian industries. Focus is on five key enabling technologies: information and communications technologies, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Environmental technologies sector - The component of TPC that supports development and application of promising Canadian technologies that contribute to achieving sustainable development, or that have significant environmental benefits. Five key areas are targeted: traditional environmental media such as clean air and water, eco-efficient industrial practices, enhanced energy efficiency, sources of alternate energy including hydrogen and fuel cell applications and renewable energy.

Fiscal year - the federal government fiscal year beginning on April 1 and ending on the following March 31.

Industrial research - planned research and investigation aimed at the discovery of new knowledge, with the objective that such knowledge may be useful in developing new products, processes or services, or in bringing about a significant improvement to existing products, processes or services.

Investment Officer - TPC staff member assigned to be the relationship manager for potential and current clients during preparation of an Investment Proposal, manages the TPC due diligence process and prepares proposals for consideration and approval by senior management within TPC and Industry Canada

Investment Outline - a brief description of the proposed pre-competitive research and development project prepared by the proponent. The Investment Outline provides: general proponent information, a description of the proposed initiative, discussion of commercial viability, resources of the proponent, discussion of the nedd for TPC contribution and the anticipated benefits to the proponent and to Canada.

Investment Proposal - an extensive description of the proposed research and development activities and benefits, prepared by the proponent. This document forms the basis on which TPC completes due diligence and to obtain formal approval of the proponent’s request for a contribution.

Joint Strike Fighter - a multinational co-operative program to develop a new multinational family of fighter jets that is inexpensive to build and to operate. TPC supports projects by Canadian companies taking part in this multinational program.

Other Costs - costs, other than direct labour, direct materials, subcontracts/consultants and overhead, which are identified in the Contribution Agreement as being Eligible Costs. Examples include travel, Special Purpose Equipment and patent legal fees.

Pre-competitive - the phase prior to a product or service going to market

Pre-competitive development - translation of industrial research findings into a plan, blueprint or design for new, modified or improved products, processes or services; conceptual formulation and design of products, processes or service alternatives; initial demonstration or pilot projects, and prototypes; and other related pre-production activities

Project Completion Date - the date established in the Contribution Agreement for completion of the proposed research and development portion of the project.

Sharing Ratio - ratio of TPC contribution to total Eligible Costs of a project. Normally 25%-35% of total project costs.

Special Purpose Equipment - equipment including systems, instrumentation and special test equipment, with total costs excedding $250,000, that is acquired or manufactured for the purpose of completion of the project., prototypes and pilot plants. Special Purpose Equipment also includes prototypes and pilot plants created to demonstrate the technology to be commercialized.

Sustainable development - achieving economic and social goals in ways that can be supported for the long term by conserving resources, protecting the environment, and ensuring human health and welfare.

TPC Innovation Officer - IC staff member located in a regional office in Canada, who assists potential and current clients during the TPC application and review process, presents Innovation Outlines to headquarters for consideration, and markets TPC and other Industry Canada programs across the region

Work Phase - the period in which the applicant completes the pre-commercial research and development phase of the project described in the Contribution Agreement.