Technology Inflow Program(TIP)

The Technology Inflow Program (TIP) has a domestic and international component and is designed to assist Canadian SMEs access Canadian or foreign technology and help develop R&D partnerships.

TIP helps acquire technology by:

Offering information and advice on Canadian sources, technology licensing and strategic partnerships, and visitor services through its specialized advisory services.
Providing modest financial support for certain eligible activities related to the partnering or acquisition of this foreign technology.
The domestic version of the program assists Canadian SMEs access Canadian technology not locally available. These services are provided locally to the SMEs through IRAP's Industrial Technology Advisors (ITA's).

For Canadian SMEs looking for foreign R&D capability and R&D partnerships

For Canadian SMEs looking for foreign R&D capability and R&D partnerships, international requests are made through ITAs who make contact with theDepartment of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's (DFAIT) Technology Development Officers (TDOs), Science and Technology Counselors (STCs), and Trade and Commercial Officers (TOs/COs), located at posts abroad. IRAP ITAs receive and assess the requests for approval and seek input from DFAIT. TIP activities are driven by the need of Canadian firms.

Such relationships can involve various forms of industrial and technological cooperation, including technology transfers, licensing agreements, joint ventures, as well as strategic alliances. For example, TIP can also assist SMEs to assess and access the European Union's (EU) programs. Since 1997, Canada has specific privileges to participate in the EU 6th Framework R&D Program (2002-2006). Information on European Union Programs is available at the Community Research & Development Information Service (CORDIS) web site.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Councils (NSERC)
Collaborative R&D Program (CRD)

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Councils (NSERC) «Collaborative R&D Program (CRD)» offers university scientists and engineers jointly funded collaborative R&D projects and the opportunity to assess and access international projects such as the EU's 5th Framework R&D Program. The CRD process can be used for university researchers when they collaborate with an SME which is applying to IRAP for assistance. In such a case, the program is jointly coordinated by NSERC and IRAP, and provides funding for:

International Exploratory Visits - NSERC covers the cost of the academic partners and IRAP supports the SME participant. In this case, the Technology Partnership Inflow Program (TIP) project is administered under the Technology Enhancement (TE) project.
International Projects - For international projects involving Canadian university researchers/SMEs , IRAP will fund the Canadian industrial portion while NSERC supports the academic partner.

A successful application to a TIP project may also lead to on-going Technology Enhancement (TE) or R&D Adaptation (RDA) projects.

Eligibility

Proposal Assessment Criteria:

A firm must demonstrate to the Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) that it has a need for the technology being sought, that this technology is not locally available (domestic TIP) or not available in Canada (international TIP). The firm must also demonstrate that it has the technical, financial, and managerial capability to assimilate the technology should acquisition or partnering be successfully arranged. TIP projects are assessed on their potential to acquire new or unique technology and skills, which will benefit the Canadian economy by increasing competitiveness, reducing costs and creating jobs. The seriousness of a company's commitment is determined, in part, by its willingness to carry a share of the financial burden. The degree of commitment to the project is itself a key factor in evaluating a proposal and determines the amount of funding an organization or company might receive under TIP.

Terms and Conditions:

TIP funding is based on cost-sharing principles and covers costs associated with domestic/international travel. Support for specific TIP projects will not normally exceed $10,000.

Eligibility:

Incorporated Canadian companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Contact:

Applications can be made through your IRAP regional office

TIP Advisory Services

These services are provided domestically by NRC-IRAP's Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) and abroad by Technology Development Officers (TDOs), Science and Technology Counselors (STCs) and Trade and Commercial Officers (TOs/COs). tip links the expertise of ITAs with the international expertise of TDOs/STCs and TOs/COs at Canadian diplomatic missions abroad to identify potential sources of R&D capabilities,best practices and technologies.
NRC-IRAP is a national network of more than 260 ITAs located across Canada. Your local ITA will strive to identify and locate the most appropriate solution to your technology problem wherever in the world it may exist. The ITAs' primary tip contact point for information on foreign technologies is the TDO/STC/TO/CO network in posts abroad. The role of the TDO/STC/TO/CO is to:

Identify and locate sources of technology and expertise in response to specific requests for information from Canadian companies and ITAs
Provide advice on cooperative agreements, technology licensing, and strategic partnerships, including referals to legal advisors, financial experts, foreign government regulations, and research establishments
Supply certain logistical support for visits.

For more information about TIP contact: