The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) abruptly halted accepting request for support within days of its new fiscal year beginning April 1, 2010. This program offered funding of up to 75% to a maximum of $500,000 over three years towards internal and external business R&D project costs. Eligible costs included project employee salaries, materials, laboratory and consulting expenses. However, IRAP did not pay for travelling or capital expenses.

To be considered for funding, businesses in southern or urban Canada could not have over 500 employees whereas no workforce size restrictions applied to companies in remote communities. Although approximately 80% of Canadian business owners do not have English or French as their first language, IRAP discouraged businesses from using consultants to prepare an application.

Based on our knowledge of IRAP’s history, it is anticipated that the program’s 250 employees will begin working on receiving new proposals in approximately seven months.