INAC recommends that companies apply as soon as possible, as the additional funds will quickly be allocated.

By doubling the IRAP program and reducing R&D tax incentives i.e. SR&ED, the budget reflects the government’s plan to overhaul Canada’s R&D funding model.

Adoption and Adaptation

• Small R&D projects that are limited in scope and nature
• Needs assessment for innovation/technology  (e.g. ERP, accounting systems, IT systems and security audits)
• Technical/technology diagnostics and feasibility studies

Implementation

• Productivity enhancement (e.g. Kaizen) and lean manufacturing/productivity studies
• Analysis of engineering processes
• Product and engineering designs and prototypes as well as design for manufacture

Commercialization

• Intellectual Property (IP) assessment, planning and strategies
• Business diagnostics, restructuring for improved growth potential (e.g. investor readiness), licensing, commercialization and supply chain strategies
• Sales and marketing plans, market research, competitive intelligence gathering, website development and upgrading for e-commerce, image creation (i.e. branding)

The program may cover 100% of internal labour costs, 75% of sub-contractor fees plus a percentage of research or technology evaluation-related travel and living expenses. To be eligible businesses must be incorporated and have 500 or fewer full-time employees.

• Building costs
• Equipment, materials, and supplies
• Consultant fees
• Training, wages, and employee benefits
• Communications, publicity, and promotion
• Transportation and administration

Funding may be combined with other funding sources. Projects must be completed by February 22, 2013. The deadline for application is April 30, 2012.

• Turning off lights or motors
• Shifting production to off-peak periods
• Drawing electricity from an on-site generator

No contract is required to participate in demand-reduction requests; however, contractual participation offers higher incentive rates. Companies are asked to curtail power usage no more than 25 times per year. The program’s rate of compensation varies by site location. INAC has been successful in implementing this program in food-processing facilities, industries that can stagger energy-consuming operations, and in plants that have a secondary power source.

• Improving process control with the installation of advanced sensors and control systems
• Retrofitting or upgrading pumps, fans, blowers, and compressors
• Reducing water use to achieve decreased electricity use
• Using membrane cells, micro-channel separators, or reactors to reduce the use of process electricity
• Upgrading motors or replacing conveyor systems
• Cogenerating power up to 20MW

Projects must be completed by December 31, 2014. Application deadlines vary by local electric utility.

• Materials and supplies, including shipping
• Consultant fees, including travel/accommodation
• Communications costs, including meetings and advertising
• Equipment rental
• In-kind contribution of staff time
• Renovation costs (for field tests only)
• Capital costs (for field tests and projects)

Planning, feasibility study, and field test projects are eligible for grants of up to 50% to a maximum of $175,000.

Although the lead applicant is typically the municipality benefiting from the project, the private sector partner is also eligible for support. Funding has been awarded for brownfield remediation, electric vehicle charge stations, the integration of innovative wind turbine technologies as well as photovoltaic and tidal power generation.

• Set up on-line promotions
• Develop or install e-business/ICT marketing and market research
• Improve client/customer through e-business/ICT
• Enhance productivity through e-business/ICT
• Enhance visibility of the firm using e-business/ICT

Applying Canadian businesses must have less than 500 full-time employees. Interns are to be given full-time employment for twelve weeks. Internship projects that are purely technical in nature (website development, data entry, database maintenance, web coding, etc.) and those aimed at supporting educational activities, conferences, workshops, training programs, etc. are not eligible for support. Program funding is very limited so it is advised to apply before May 1, 2012.

• Lighting and lighting control retrofits
• Motor upgrades
• Air conditioner replacement
• Insulation
• Windows, window frames, and window glazing
• Roof barriers
• Heating/ventilation re-design
• Agricultural fans, creep heat, controls
• Disposal of old equipment

Projects must result in a minimum peak electricity demand reduction of 1 kW, or savings total electricity consumption savings of at least 2,000 kWh in the first year. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2014. Application deadlines vary by local electric utility. Although not necessary, an energy audit is recommended to maximize funding.

INAC offers energy audit services for companies wanting to reduce energy costs.  Up to 50% to a maximum of $35,000of INAC’s fees for agriculture and industrial audits are eligible for Ontario’s Audit Funding program. The remaining 50% of INAC fees are then subtracted from future monies owing to INAC in securing other energy saving related funding. Additionally, for companies spending a minimum of $120,000 per year on energy, INAC’s energy auditors will identify cost saving independent of any capital investment of no less than 10%.

The Audit Funding program will contribute up to 50% to a maximum of $25,000 for energy audits that survey power use and operational efficiency in Ontario manufacturing, food processing, agricultural, industrial, commercial, institutional, apartment or condo operations. Eligible expenses include audit costs and 50% of the auditor’s travel expenses. Lessees can receive up to $7,500 through the program. For owners, the incentive is based on building size:

• Up to $3,000 for buildings up to 30,000 sq. ft.
• Up to $25,000 for buildings over 30,000 sq. ft.
• Additional $10,000 for buildings over 50,000 sq. ft. toward energy-saving retrofits analysis

Energy audits assess the potential for energy savings achieved through equipment replacement, operational practices, or participation in Demand Response initiatives and other building systems and envelopes projects.