Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

What is it?

Financial support and "consulting" services to Canadian companies in all industry sectors to encourage innovative products, processes and technology.

This broad and widely-used program has 240 technology advisors -- mostly engineers and scientists with at least 10 years' industry experience. They provide advice and may provide eligible companies with funding to help you: strengthen your technological abilities; improve production and processes; conduct market research; gather competitive intelligence; and access or adapt new technology

What is the benefit to your company?

There are quite a few interesting and useful programs available to food companies and others, through IRAP. Some are cost-shared grant programs that will match your project contribution; others are service-oriented. The IRAP Program only supports eligible in-house technical labour costs as well as approved subcontracted costs. There are four key funding activities:

• Small Projects under $50,000 can receive up to 50% of the project's cost. This funding will support feasibility studies, technical analyses and problem-solving, short and long-term research and development, and international travel to assess and acquire foreign technology. For Example - Develop hand held microwaveable breakfast products.
• Medium projects between $50,000 and $150,000 can receive up to 50% funding. This funding will support the same types of activities as the 'small' projects initiative but entail more technically challenging research and development
• Large projects between $150,000 and $650,000 can receive up to 50% funding. This funding will support projects designed to adapt existing technologies, advance unproven technologies, and large research and development projects to the proof of concept stage. For Example - Develop a natural flavour through use of bacteria/enzymatic processes.

In general, your project must be novel, innovative, realistic technically and financially feasible for your company, and advance your company's technical capabilities. The project must involve technical risk and challenges, and the project's resulting product, process, or service must have an economic benefit to your company.

Who Qualifies?

"For profit" companies that are incorporated, legal Canadian entities with fewer than 500 employees. Subdivisions that operate as autonomous, stand-alone profit/loss centres that have fewer than 500 employees may still apply even if their parent company employs more than 500 people in Canada.

You must have at least one technical employee drawing a salary and generating a T-4 slip.

How do I apply?

Talk about your project or idea with your local Industrial Technology Advisor. They will walk you through the steps and provide guidance. You can find out who your local advisor is by contacting IRAP's Ontario regional office at:

National Research Council
Industrial Research Assistance Program
25-55 St. Clair Ave E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON, M4T 1M2
Toll-free telephone: 1-877-994-4727
Telephone: (416) 973-4484
Fax: (416) 973-4303

Where can I find more information?

For more detailed information on these and all of IRAP's valuable services, please check out IRAP's website at: http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or speak with your local Industrial Technology Advisor.

We're here to help!

To find out how the Business Development Branch at OMAFRA can provide you with knowledge, connections, and resources to help you grow your business, call toll-free at 1-888-466-2372 extension 64474 or e-mail at foodinvest@ontario.ca. For information about this program and others, as well as our branch, visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food