Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) The National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) is designed to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) meet the technological challenges they face in delivering new products, processes or services. The Program is delivered by a nation-wide network of more than 260 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs).

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council NSERC is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through discovery grants, and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people. NSERC supports partnerships between post-secondary institutions and small and medium-sized Canadian companies in order to develop new and improved products, processes and services and, ultimately, to create or preserve jobs for Canadians. (http://www.nserc.ca/indus_e.htm)

Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) The CIHR Industry-partnered Program is designed to help the academic community interact with Canadian companies with an interest in health research and development. The program promotes a wide variety of peer-reviewed research and training projects jointly funded by Canadian companies and CIHR. The research planned should be beneficial to both parties, while improving the quality of health of Canadians. There are two main arms to the CIHR Industry-partnered Program: the CIHR/Rx&D; Research Program, restricted to members of the Canada Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D;); and the CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program, open to non-members of Rx&D.;

Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) The Foundation’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development. By investing in research infrastructure projects, the CFI supports research excellence, and helps strengthen research training at institutions across Canada. The CFI will provide funding for up to 40% of the eligible costs of the infrastructure projects it supports. The balance of the project’s costs must come from the institutions and their funding partners, which may include firms and corporations.

Defence R&D; Canada DRDC advances leading edge S&T; expertise in three key sectors - sensors and information technology, combat systems and human systems, in particular biochemical defence, human systems integration and human systems performance and protection. Through its R&D; programs, DRDC continues to forge strong partnerships and collaborations with industry, government, and university partners and clients in Canada and abroad. Formal programs exist involving partnering arrangements with industry (Defence Industrial Research Program - DIRP), universities and industry, (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - NSERC), and with defence science, technology, and research organizations of allied nations. Defence Industrial Research Program DND/NSERC Research Partnership Program CBRN Research and Technology Initiative (CRTI)

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) The Business Development Bank of Canada is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC plays a leadership role in delivering financial and consulting services to Canadian small business, with a particular focus on technology and exporting. BDC's debt obligations, secured by the Government of Canada, are issued to the public and private sector institutions.

Canada Small Business Financing Program The program seeks to increase the availability of loans and capital leases for establishing, expanding, modernizing and improving small businesses by encouraging financial institutions and leasing companies to make their services available to small businesses. If a loan or lease application by a small business to a participating financial institution or leasing company is approved, the federal government will guarantee 85 percent of the lender’s losses in the event of default.

Export Development Canada (EDC) Export Development Canada (EDC) provides Canadian exporters with financing, insurance and bonding services as well as foreign market expertise. As a recognized leader in providing groundbreaking commercial financial solutions, EDC is constantly looking for new, innovative ways to serve its customers. At EDC, the door to exporting options is always open. There are always new markets to explore and new opportunities to seize. EDC’s goal is to help Canadian companies, no matter how big or small, capitalize on all the exciting opportunities that exporting offers. For more information visit www.edc.ca or call us at 1-888-332-4593.

Regional Economic Development Agencies/Initiatives: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)