NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Funds university and college researchers to advance promising technologies from proof-of-concept toward commercial use, with Phase IIb engaging a Canadian company partner to co-fund development. The program covers up to 100% of Phase I costs and 50% of Phase IIb costs, giving SMEs a direct pathway to license emerging academic IP.
Eligibility Requirements
- College or university researcher/faculty with promising technology at TRL 4 or higher
- Institution must be declared eligible by NSERC to administer grants
- Phase IIb requires a Canadian company partner with at least 50% matching (minimum 40% in cash); foreign companies considered if clear Canadian economic benefit
- IP must be managed by the institution's ILO with a commercialization strategy
- Phases I + II combined limited to 3 years per technology
- Companies cannot apply directly — must partner with an eligible researcher/institution
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Phase I up to $125,000 (100%); Phase IIa up to $125,000/yr (67%); Phase IIb up to $350,000 over 2 years (50%)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 100% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Quarterly intakes: Jun 22, 2026; Sep 21, 2026
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win I2I — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 9-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipCompanies cannot apply directly — engage a university or college researcher first. The ILO at the institution is your key contact; they co-develop the application with the researcher. For Phase IIb, negotiate the IP licensing/option agreement before the intake deadline — NSERC requires it at submission. Target technologies at TRL 4–6 (basic parameters validated, moving to prototype). Phase Ia is a stepping stone — budget for the 2-year Phase IIb journey from the start.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Technology not at minimum TRL 4 — insufficient experimental validation
- No credible commercialization plan or market pathway identified
- IP not managed by the institution's ILO — alternative IP arrangements not acceptable
Success Profile
A university or college researcher who has developed novel technology at TRL 4–5 and has identified a Canadian SME willing to co-invest in the commercialization phase. The ideal company partner has 10–200 employees, existing manufacturing or distribution capability, and a clear market pathway for the licensed technology.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are reviewed by the I2I committee (business and investment expertise) and external technical reviewers. Key criteria: (1) scientific and technical merit and feasibility of achieving TRL advancement, (2) team expertise including industry liaison experience, (3) technology transfer potential and commercial benefit to Canada, (4) quality of market analysis and partner commitment. Phase IIb additionally assessed on strength of the partnership, business plan, and company's capacity to manufacture and distribute the resulting product.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 9
Eligible Expenses 6
- Salaries and benefits for research staff conducting technology refinement and prototype work
- Materials, supplies, and small equipment required for the project
- Subcontractor fees for specialized technical work
- Technology transfer activities up to 10% of total award (market research, patent preparation, business planning, mentoring fees)
- Travel directly related to project objectives (partner visits, field studies)
- Project management costs up to 10% of direct costs (Phase IIb only)
Ineligible Expenses 7
- Applicant's own salary or consulting fees
- Overhead and indirect costs (covered by institution)
- Conference attendance and academic publications (unless directly serving commercialization objectives)
- Capital equipment unrelated to the technology being transferred
- General operating expenses of the institution or company
- Marketing and sales activities
- Release from teaching (replacement faculty salaries) for the grantee
Intake Periods
Quarterly: January, March, June, September. Market Assessment and Phase Ib supplement intakes paused since February 14, 2025. Phase Ia, IIa, and IIb remain open. Next 2026 intakes: June 22 and September 21.
Deadline Notes
Four annual intakes: January, March, June, September. Market Assessment and Phase Ib supplement intakes paused since February 14, 2025. Phase Ia, IIa, and IIb remain active. Apply through your institution's Industry Liaison Office (ILO) — companies cannot apply directly. Allow 4–8 weeks for ILO preparation before the intake deadline.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Companies applying directly without an academic researcher/institution partner
- Researchers at institutions not declared eligible by NSERC
- Non-Canadian entities (unless clear Canadian economic benefit demonstrated for Phase IIb)
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskLow risk. Phase IIb milestone failures may result in discontinued future tranches; completed-phase disbursements are not typically recovered.
How I2I Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants | up to $125,000 | Hard | Reimbursement | Quarterly intakes: Jun... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Mitacs Accelerate | $15,000 per internship unit | Easy | Advance Payment | Ongoing |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Up to $50 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about I2I