Funding Programs
Selected Funding Programs
View a list of Applied Research Funding Opportunities
Invest Nova Scotia Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program
Anticipated launch in May!
The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program gives Nova Scotia companies the opportunity work with universities and access expertise they do not have in-house. Projects must demonstrate how they improve productivity, develop a new product, service or process and create growth. This is a two-tier program: a Tier 1 application are for up to $15,000, Tier 2 applications are up to $25,000. First time applicants must submit a Tier 1 request. No cash contribution is required from the company.
Companies must be registered in NS with the majority of their workforce in the province. If you have a company that you are interested in working with and feel the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program could be a good fit, please contact Danielle Goodfellow, Industry Liaison Officer, at danielle.goodfellow@smu.ca to discuss the proposed project.
To increase research and development in Atlantic Canada research facilities and strengthen innovation systems by building private and public sector alliances. The program support can be from $500,000 to $3 million dollars for up to 5 years. Applications can be submitted anytime.
Springboard Atlantic – Innovation Mobilization Program
Industry Engagement
Promotes partnership development of effective regional partnerships with industry. The maximum program support is $15,000 for up to one year.
Market Support
To build and develop a prototype of technology for marketing purposes. The maximum program support is $5,000 for up to one year.
Proof of Concept
To support early-stage technology validation and market connections in Atlantic Canada assigned to an institution. The program can provide up to $20,000 support over one year.
Patent and Legal Fund
To protect IP to attract early-stage investment technology transfer in Atlantic Canada. Up to $15,000 support can be provided over two years.
Note: Only research institutions that are members of Springboard Atlantic are eligible to apply to Springboard funding programs. A total of 65.38% of the costs are covered by Springboard, the other 34.62% cash must come from matching sources.
Deadline: anytime
NRC-IRAP Science and Technology Assistance Program Form
To support SME driven requests for direct research and development support, faculty maybe approached by the Office of Innovation and Community Engagement (OICE) to work on a project. The maximum contribution is $5,000 over 3 to 5 days, with no cash contribution required by the company.
Deadline: anytime
NSERC Alliance Grant
To expand research and development capacity by generating new knowledge or apply existing knowledge in an innovative way through collaboration between a researcher or team of researchers and partners (e.g. private companies, Government and not-for-profits). Funding contributions can range from $20,000 to $1,000,000 over 1 to 5 years. NSERCs contributions will vary depending on the size of the company.
Deadline: anytime
Please note: The NSERC Alliance Grant has replaced the Engage Grant, Collaborative Research Development Grant and Industry Chair Position.
SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant
The purpose of this program is to support new partnerships between a single or team of researcher(s) with one or more industry collaborators (including Government, not-for-profits and private companies). Funding contributions vary between $7,000 to $25,000 over 1 year.
Deadline: September 15, December 15, March 15 and June 15.
Mitacs Accelerate Internship
To support a research internship that addresses a single research plan. Funding starts at $15,000 with a minimum of a 50% contribution coming from the host company. Applications can be submitted anytime.
Deadline: anytime
Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur
Accelerate entrepreneurship helps student entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their business. Mitacs provides a minimum contribution of $10,000 over 4 months. The student company contributes 50% of the costs.
Deadline: anytime
Innovacorp Early-Stage Commercialization Fund
To support novel early stage/proof of concept research that demonstrates commercial potential for NS based institutions. The program support is a maximum of $50,000.
Deadline: September, February (if funds are available)