Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP): Open Call for Proposals to Collaborate with Indian Companies    

The CIIP Canada India Collaborative Industrial Research and Development program offers funding of up to 50% to a maximum of $600,000 towards collaborative R&D projects undertaken by Canadian and Indian private sector companies. Eligible projects include the development, customization, adaptation, adoption or validation of new products, processes or technological services that are commercially viable in foreign or domestic markets. Products, processes or services with military/non-peaceful applications are ineligible for funding. Priority will go to projects/companies focused on:

• Advanced Materials/Manufacturing
• Affordable Healthcare
• Smart Cities
• Clean and Sustainable Technologies
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Technologies

Eligible expenditures include labour, overhead costs, consultant and subcontractor fees, travel, equipment leasing and depreciation, materials plus other costs directly attributable to the project. Canadian companies must have 500 or fewer employees and be ready to collaborate with an Indian partner company upon receiving approval. The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is April 15, 2018. Full proposals are due June 19, 2018.

Up to $500,000 for Retrofits that Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The GreenON Agriculture Retrofit program offers funding of 35% to a maximum of $500,000 for Ontario farm businesses to adopt cleaner technologies that lead to reduced GHG emissions or increased energy efficiency. Funding will be provided for the retrofitting of permanent, climate-controlled buildings used for the production of agricultural commodities (barns, greenhouses), or grain drying systems. Eligible costs include:

• Installation of or upgrades to boilers/heating systems
• Installation of or upgrades to ventilation heat exchangers
• Installation of or upgrades to facility insulation
• Installation of and upgrades made to energy curtains
• Installation of or upgrades made to greenhouse cover materials, including additional layers or other energy efficient options
• Engineering costs related to adopting the aforementioned retrofits
• Labour, consulting and salaries directly related to the project

Funding will be provided only for the production areas (i.e., not for storage, retail, or packaging areas) in facilities that have been used in production for at least one year. Applicants must attend an “Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)” workshop administered through the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (click here for upcoming workshops), and have a “Verified Action Plan” which will be created during EFP attendance. To determine GHG reductions, applicants are required to complete the online Greenhouse Gas Ontario Covered Agriculture Calculator (GO-CALC). Applications will be accepted from March 6-26, 2018. Up to 2 applications may be submitted per intake period. Please note that costs incurred before receiving written approval are ineligible to receive funding.

Canadian Agricultural Partnership: AgriMarketing Small and Medium Enterprises

The AgriMarketing Small and Medium Enterprises program offers funding of up to 50% to a maximum of $50,000/year for export promotion and market development activities undertaken by Canadian agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood businesses. Eligible expenditures include:

• Creation and implementation of export market development and branding strategies;
• Incoming and outgoing missions;
• Attendance in trade shows, multilateral meetings and conferences to showcase products to target audiences;
• Technical training for foreign buyers on the handling of Canadian products;
• Advertising, marketing, and product demonstrations for international buyers;
• Administrative costs, consultant fees, and project management;
• Travel and accommodation;

Applicants must have 250 or fewer employees, and no more than $50 million in annual revenues. Projects are to last no more than one fiscal year in duration. Companies are permitted to submit more than one application, however funding will not exceed a total of $250,000 over 5 years ($50,000/year).

Apply by February 9 for Funding to Hire Employees 

Canada Summer Jobs provides government funding for businesses with less than 50 employees, as well as not-for-profit and public sector organizations to hire new employees. For businesses, the subsidy is 50% of the adult minimum wage per student hired. For organizations, funding is up to 100% of the adult minimum wage per student hired. The length of employment must be for 30 to 40 hours/week for six to sixteen weeks. Businesses can receive incentives for more than one employee so long as they do not exceed the maximum funding amount of $300,000. Eligible summer workers are Canadian citizens or protected refugees (as defined under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act), between the ages of 15 and 30, and are currently full time-students planning to return to their studies the next academic year. Government funding preference will be for jobs that:

• Support local priorities and community services
• Provide meaningful work experience and financial contribution
• Employ a visible minority, Indigenous person, new immigrant/refugee or a person with a disability
• Offer sound supervision and mentoring
• Offer services/support for the LGBTQ2 community
• Are directed toward members of, and support the vitality of, an official-language minority community

Supported work terms may begin April 23, 2018 and must end no later than September 1, 2018. Additionally, $3000 in government funding for businesses looking to offset “accommodation” costs of hiring a student with a disability may be available. All work placements are to be in Canada. Deadline to apply is 11:59 PST February 9, 2018.  

Get Ready to Apply for Funding!

Canada Summer Jobs provides government funding for businesses with less than 50 employees, as well as not-for-profit and public sector organizations to hire new employees. For businesses, the subsidy is 50% of the adult minimum wage per student hired. For organizations, funding is up to 100% of the adult minimum wage per student hired. The length of employment must be for 30 to 40 hours/week for six to sixteen weeks. Businesses can receive incentives for more than one employee so long as they do not exceed the maximum funding amount of $300,000. Eligible summer workers are Canadian citizens or protected refugees (as defined under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act), between the ages of 15 and 30, and are currently full time-students planning to return to their studies the next academic year. Government funding preference will be for jobs that:

• Support local priorities and community services
• Provide meaningful work experience and financial contribution
• Employ a visible minority, Indigenous person, new immigrant/refugee or a person with a disability
• Offer sound supervision and mentoring
• Offer services/support for the LGBTQ2 community
• Are directed toward members of, and support the vitality of, an official-language minority community

Supported work terms may begin April 23, 2018 and must end no later than September 1, 2018. Additionally, $3000 in government funding for businesses looking to offset “accommodation” costs of hiring a student with a disability may be available. All work placements are to be in Canada. Deadline to apply is 11:59 PST February 2, 2018.  

Government Grant Supports Employees in Agricultural Sectors

The Green Internships Stream provides 50% up to $16,000 in government funding for businesses to hire post-secondary graduates to undertake work in the agricultural sector that will benefit the natural environment.  Eligible employers include private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, provincial and municipal governments, associations, boards, councils, and universities. Subsidized employees must be 30 years of age or younger, have graduated from a college, university or CEGEP, have not previously received funding from Youth Employment Strategy programs, and be a Canadian citizen/permanent resident.  Internships are to be 4-12 months long, ending no later than March 31st, 2019. Not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for government funding of up to 80% on a case-by-case basis. Contact INAC to apply!