Industrial Research Assistance Program

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Industrial Research Assistance Program
IRAP - creating wealth for Canadians through
technological innovation 2004 Oct
P. Meloche
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IRAPs Mission and strategic objective

• Stimulating innovation of Canadian small and
  medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

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What is IRAP?

• An innovation assistance service of the National
  Research Council

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What is IRAP?
A national network of experienced advisors
Nfld. Labrador
Yukon
N.-W.T.
10
Que.
55
Alta.
B.C.
Ont.
Sask. Man.
21
36
23
25
69
Maritimes
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IRAPs Network

• includes over 100 technical organizations
• is present in major and rural communities across
  Canada
• is linked electronically
• Canadian Technology Network (CTN)

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IRAPs Reach (across Canada)

• 12,000 companies per year
• 2,900 funded projects
• all industry sectors
• range of capability levels

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IRAPs Advisors

• experienced engineers and scientists who
  understand technology and business realities
• provide technical and innovation-related advice
  and information
• link clients with expertise, facilities and
  resources
• provide funding to stimulate innovation in
  Canadian SMEs

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Eligible Clients

• Incorporated, for profit (with at least 1
  employee)
• Manufacturing and service sector with or without
  RD in Canada
• Under 500 employees
• Innovative

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Eligible Projects

• Strategically important to the company
• Technical challenge
• Defined / structured
• Measurable objectives
• Business opportunity

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IRAP supports

• a) Innovative projects
• b) Research Development and Adaptation
• c) IRAP-TPC (precommercialization)
• d) Youth Employment Strategy (YES)
• e) International projects
• f) Other IRAP support

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a) Small-scale Projects

• Problem solving
• Feasibility studies
• Short-term RD

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b) Research Development and Adaptation (RDA)

• Advancing unproven technologies
• Adapting existing technologies
• Element of risk and technical uncertainty
• From idea to proof of concept

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RDA Support Level

• Up to 50 of the approved project costs
  applicable to
• In-house technical salaries
• Contract / consultant costs
• IRAP contribution may range from 5,000 up to
  500,000

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c) IRAP TPC (Precommercialization) Context

• Proof of concept established
• Development work required to bring proof of
  concept to beta product stage (min. tech. risk)
• IP rights or access to, protection measures
• Business opportunity
• Capacity to complete project and exploit results

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IRAP TPC (Precommercialization) Support

• Repayable contribution for work pre-competitive
  development
• Up to 1/3 of eligible project costs
• To a maximum of 1,500,000
• Eligible technologies manufacturing, materials,
  information, biotechnology, aerospace, defence,
  environment

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Eligible Activities under IRAP-TPC
(Precommercialization)

• Scale-up
• Development work
• Advanced manufacturing
• Pilot plant
• Performance trials for process product

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d) Youth Employment Strategy (YES) Program

• Provide work experience for young college /
  university graduates (all disciplines)
• Unemployed or underemployed
• Max. contribution of 12K over 6-12 months
• Opportunity to hire new employee

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e) Other IRAP support available within NCR

• Market studies (CIC)
• Techno-stratégie (BDC)
• Competitive intelligence (VISTA)
• In-plant diagnostic studies
• Management consultant (CMAC)

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IRAP can help via
Pre commercialization (IRAP-TPC)
Client
RD Support (RDA)
New Employee (YES)
Level B
Technical Info Search
Innovation Strategy
Canadian Technology Network (CTN)
Diagnostic Studies
Client
Networking
Advice
Level A
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IRAP Works!

• IRAP clients credit IRAP for
• improved technical capabilities
• new products
• enhanced sales
• improved overall performance

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To reach IRAP

• Ontario
• Tel [phone]
• Toll free 1-877-994-4727
• Quebec
• Tel [phone]
• Internet
• www.irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca