The Inventors Guide

R & D and Commercialization

There are many programs and services to assist companies in developing and adapting new technologies.

British Columbia Programs

Science Council of B.C.
Supports innovation applications of science and technology by providing small to medium enterprises with access to capital to support preliminary development.

Alberta Programs

Agriculture Value-Added Corporation (AVAC Ltd.)
An Alberta-based non-profit corporation that provides financial assistance for feasibility studies and prototype development leading to commercialization of agriculture value-added products and services. AVAC Ltd. invests in companies in exchange for a future royalty. Eligible costs include patents, labor, materials and pre-production costs.

Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development –
Centre for Agri-Industrial Technology (CAIT)
Can assist with research and collaborative research to help with processing technologies and equipment, standards and regulations, planning a plant, engineering support and more.

Alberta Ingenuity Fund
A competitive program targeted at universities and students that supports research in science and engineering.

Alberta Innovation and Science
Includes leading research and development (R & D) organizations such as Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Alberta Oil Sands Technology & Research Authority, Agricultural Research Institute and others.

Alberta Research Council Inc.
Develops and commercializes technology for customers. Performs applied research and development on a contract basis or co-venture to develop new technologies.

Calgary Technologies Inc. & Calgary Innovation Centre
Non-profit organization assists with technology commercialization and incubation; CIC creates partnerships between life sciences innovators and the venture capital community.

CETAC-WEST
A non-profit corporation based in Calgary and Saskatoon that provides services to businesses engaged in the development and commercialization of new environmental technologies.

Edmonton Capital Region Innovation Centre
Assists emerging knowledge-based businesses to access the skills and resources needed to commercialize products.

The InnoCentre
A non-profit company that provides business development assistance in exchange for an equity position in innovative technology companies commercializing new technology.

Partners
in Technology, Calgary
Introduces established and emerging technology companies to a network of counselling, technical, financial and business assistance services.

Saskatchewan Programs

Saskatchewan Research Council Inc.
Develops and commercializes technology for customers. Performs applied research and development on a contract basis or co-venture to develop new technologies.

Manitoba Programs

Canada-Manitoba Business Service Centre
The centre provides links to R & D resources for small businesses.

National Programs

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency - Scientific Research and Experimental Development Program
Thirty-five per cent (35%) refundable tax credits are available for funds spent on R&D. The company must be Canadian. Eligible costs are basic research or experimental development such as engineering, computer programming, etc. Visit the Web site for dates of informational seminars, program guidelines, application forms and more.
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

Canadian Innovation Centre
Provides idea assessments, technology and software assessments, and market research for a small fee.
http://www.innovationcentre.ca

Industry Canada - Aboriginal Business Canada Innovations Program
For businesses with a majority Aboriginal ownership and are involved in innovation and/or using innovative technology. This program provides up to $75,000 (non-repayable) for businesses to develop new products and processes.
http://abc-eac.ic.gc.ca

Industry Canada - Technology Partnerships Canada
For companies further along in the R & D process and/or those requiring larger sums of money than the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). Covers about 30% of costs.
http://tpc.ic.gc.ca
Other useful Industry Canada sites:
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inlsg-pdsv.nsf/vwGeneratedInterE/Home

National Research Council
Provides R&D facilities, expertise and technology.
http://www.nrc.ca

National Research Council - Canadian Technology Network
Non-profit, government organization that links technological resources to serve businesses better.
http://ctn.nrc.ca/

National Research Council - Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Consists of twenty-three industrial technology advisors who feed information to companies. Provides funding for small projects and larger, long-term projects that provide a substantial benefit to Canadians. Helpful for companies in the early stages of R & D.
http://www.nrc.ca/irap

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