CFPs: Collaborative Projects focused on Developing Innovative Products, Processes, or Technology-Based Services in Sectors of Focus (Canada and Brazil)

The call for proposals is open to organizations from Canada and Brazil’s State of São Paulo that wish to form consortia to perform collaborative projects focused on developing innovative products, processes, or technology-based services in the sectors of focus.

Sectors of Focus

• This call for proposals is open to projects in all sectors that are civilian in nature and have emphasis on the following themes:
  • Artificial intelligence and manufacturing
  • Clean technology, green energy, and sustainable environments
  • Health and life sciences
  • Internet of things and digital transformation
  • Nanotechnology
  • Ocean science and technology

Funding Information

• Canadian funding:
  • In Canada, this call for proposals is offered through the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) – an international innovation R&D funding program offered by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP is responsible for delivering this call for proposals and for managing any resulting funding agreements.
  • Eligible Canadian SMEs may receive up to 50% reimbursement of eligible project costs up to a maximum total funding amount of $600,000 CAD over 12 to 36 months.
• Brazilian funding:
  • The FAPESP will fund projects under the terms, conditions and funding limits of the FAPESP’s Innovative Research in Small Business Program (PIPE) – Phase 2 (available in Portuguese only) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Under this call, the FAPESP will not fund fellowships for the principal investigator and co-principal investigators.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be considered for funding, applicants must form a project consortium and develop a collaborative R&D project that meets the following criteria:
  • Canadian SME applicant:
    • The Canadian applicant must meet all the following criteria:
      • be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Canada (defined as having 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees)
      • have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months prior to the project proposal deadline specified above
      • have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding any founders and contract employees
      • pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
      • have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets
      • have the financial capacity (working capital, sales revenue, investment, etc.) and the operational capacity (personnel, expertise, resources, etc.) to undertake an international multi-year R&D collaboration while maintaining regular operations, and to subsequently commercialize the results
      • be committed to significant growth through international market expansion
    • Preference may be given to SME applicants that meet the criteria below. If one or more criteria are unmet, a strong rationale must be provided in the expression of interest form for possible consideration:
      • have a minimum of 15 full‑time equivalent employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
      • have commercialized one or more products internationally
      • have more than $500,000 CAD in annual sales revenue.
  • Brazil eligibility requirements:
    • The State of São Paulo company must follow the requirements of the FAPESP PIPE – Phase 2.
  • Consortium:
    • The project consortium must include at least:
      • 1 incorporated Canadian SME
      • 1 eligible Brazilian partner from the State of São Paulo
      • The parties listed above must be unrelated parties (i.e., no direct, indirect, beneficial or constructive ownership interest between these parties)
    • The project partners that form the consortium must agree on a plan addressing intellectual property rights and intent to commercialize.
  • Project:
    • The project must focus on co-development, adaptation, and validation of an innovative product, process, or technology-based service that has:
      • commercial potential and outcomes that can be realized within 2 to 3 years of completion of the project
      • a civilian (non-military) purpose
    • The project must demonstrate:
      • a complementary technological contribution from each partner
      • an obvious advantage and added value resulting from the cooperation between the participants
      • a balanced contribution between project partners and countries (i.e., no more than 70% of the effort contributed by any one partner or country).
      • benefits to Canada commensurate with the funding requested

For more information, visit Government of Canada.