Program Guide: Strategic Innovation Fund

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A) What is the Strategic Innovation Fund?

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) provides major investments in innovative projects that will help grow Canada's economy for the well-being of all Canadians.

About the Strategic Innovation Fund

Managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) plays a key role in providing support for innovative projects in Canada through:

  • simplified application processes
  • responsive, results-oriented assistance

The minimum SIF contribution amount is $10 million for projects with total costs of at least $20 million. The amount you request from SIF should be based on your project needs.

Objectives

SIF provides transformative investments in all sectors of the economy to help Canada prosper in a global, knowledge-based economy.

The program helps Canadian businesses and organizations succeed and help Canada grow good jobs for a strong economy.

Key program objectives include:

  • encouraging businesses to invest in research & development (R&D) activities that lead to technology transfer and commercialization of new products, processes and services
  • accelerating the growth and expansion of innovative businesses in Canada
  • attracting and retaining large-scale investments to Canada
  • advancing networks of collaboration between the private sector, research institutions and non-profit organizations in key emerging technology sectors and in industrial R&D and commercialization

Background

SIF was created in 2017. It incorporates several legacy programs already administered by ISED. The various programs administered by ISED are subject to specific terms and conditions. SIF continues to administer the legacy programs according to the terms agreed on with each recipient.

Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF)

With new funding agreements being signed between 2008 and 2021, the Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF) supported strategic, large-scale research and development (R&D) projects in the automotive sector. AIF encouraged innovation in the development of greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles, and helped companies maintain a strong, competitive position in the Canadian automotive industry.

Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP)

With new funding agreements having been signed between 2016 and 2021, the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) complemented the AIF in helping Canadian automotive suppliers gain a competitive edge through the development of new innovative products and processes.

Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI)

With new funding agreements having been signed between 2007 and 2017, the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI) provided repayable contributions to support R&D projects in the aerospace, space, defence and security sectors.

Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)

With new funding agreements having been signed between 2013 and 2017, the Technology Demonstration Program (TDP) provided non-repayable contributions to support one or more large-scale R&D projects per year.

Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)

With new funding agreements having been signed between 1998 and 2006, Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) was a special operating agency of Industry Canada with a mandate to provide funding support for strategic R&D, and demonstration projects that produced economic, social and environmental benefits to Canadians.

B) Who is eligible to apply?

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) covers all sectors of the economy and is available to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations that aim to support Canadian innovation.

SIF provides funding for 2 categories of projects, each with their own set of requirements:

Who can apply for Business Innovation and Growth projects?

To apply under SIF's Business Innovation and Growth category, your company must be one of the following:

  • a for-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada
  • a partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada

If you succeed in receiving SIF funding, you will be responsible for:

  • managing the project
  • carrying out agreed-on terms and benefits of the Contribution Agreement
  • submitting project claims for reimbursement
  • receiving and repaying the government contribution and reporting on results
  • owning or holding sufficient background intellectual property (IP) rights to allow your project's activities to be carried out
    • This includes holding enough rights to allow you to make full use of the benefits from any IP resulting from your project's activities

Who can apply for Collaborations and Networks projects?

To apply to SIF as a lead applicant in the Collaborations and Networks category, your organization must be one of the following:

  • a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada
  • a for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada

As the lead applicant, if you are successful in receiving SIF funding, you will be responsible for managing the project for the network according to the terms of the Contribution Agreement. This includes:

  • submitting an application to SIF on behalf of the network
  • receiving and managing the government contribution
  • managing the network's projects
  • submitting claims
  • reporting on results
  • furthering the sustainability of the network

Lead applicants will work in collaboration with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations (including SMEs and large corporations) and/or not-for-profit entities.

C) What is an eligible project?

SIF focuses on funding innovative projects that comply with the following requirements.

Requirements for Business Innovation and Growth projects

R&D and commercialization

These projects must involve activities related to the research and development (R&D) and commercialization of innovative products, processes or services.

These activities support products, processes or services that:

Examples of projects of this type include:

  • R&D to test the commercial potential of early TRL concepts or findings
  • adaptation of research findings for commercial applications that have the potential to disrupt the market
  • development and improvement of current products by implementing new technology that will enhance the company's competitive capability
  • process improvements reducing the environmental footprint of current production by using new technologies

Firm expansion and growth

These projects must support the expansion or material improvement of existing industrial or technological facilities.

Activities for these projects should fall under Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 8 to 9, where the new product or technology has either:

  • qualified through tests and demonstrations
  • been proven successful

These projects should result in the company's improved viability through company growth or increased efficiency or output capacity.

Examples of projects of this type include:

  • increasing manufacturing capacity to meet demonstrated market demand
  • improving production efficiency through plant and equipment improvements

Investment attraction and reinvestment

These projects must support new investments in R&D mandates including the hiring of full-time-equivalent employees in Canada.

Activities for these projects should be a minimum of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2, where the technology concept or application has been formulated. These projects should support the establishment of new facilities or bring new ventures to Canada.

Examples of projects of this type include:

  • a Canadian company establishing a new production facility that did not previously exist in Canada
  • getting a production mandate for a product previously produced outside Canada or being produced for the first time
  • getting a research and development mandate previously held outside Canada or being established for the first time

Requirements for Collaborations and Networks projects

National innovation networks

Projects related to the development of national networks can support multiple projects.

Resulting network-supported projects may include:

  • Industrial research: This includes activities related to the discovery of new knowledge that aim to support the development of new technology-driven products.
  • Processes or services at early-stage technology readiness levels: This includes fundamental research activities and the research and development (R&D) phases.
  • Technology demonstration: This includes advancing and developing new technologies into product-specific applications at mid- and late-stage technology readiness levels. Projects should have the goal of commercialization in areas where Canada has a proven advantage.

Activities for these projects fall mainly under Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 3 to 7 but could cover the whole range of TRLs 1 to 9.

Project activities should:

  • develop technologies with clear paths to commercialization in funding priority areas
  • involve a high degree of collaboration to enhance:
    • supply chains
    • ties between businesses and academia and/or research bodies

Some examples of eligible network project activities include:

  • creating collaboration among key members in the Canadian R&D community. These key members include:
    • industry researchers
    • national and regional research institutes
    • academic institutions
    • Canadian businesses (such as small-and-medium-sized enterprises and large corporations)
  • providing financial support for collaborative projects

Networks are responsible for assessing, approving and managing the project activities they will support.

Collaborative technology development and demonstration

These types of projects are chosen through a competitive intake process only.

Chosen projects must support industrial research, including:

  • activities related to the discovery of new knowledge (that support the development of new technology-driven products, processes or services at early-stage technology readiness levels)
  • large-scale technology demonstration (such as advancing and developing new technologies into product-specific applications at mid- to-late-stage technology readiness levels)

Activities for these projects should fall under Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1 to 7.

These projects should:

  • support the development and demonstration of pre-commercial technologies
  • involve a high degree of collaboration enhancing the supply chain and ties between academia and/or research bodies

A project of this type could, for example:

  • in conjunction with small-and-medium-sized enterprise (SME) suppliers and research councils, develop a leading tier-1 original equipment manufacturing company of a potential new product using academic research findings.

Eligible activities for this type of network project are those that provide financial support for collaborative projects and allow for collaboration among key players in the Canadian R&D community, including:

  • industry researchers
  • national and regional research institutes
  • academic institutions

For network projects, networks are solely responsible for assessing, approving and managing the projects they will support.

D) What are eligible supported costs?

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) funding is project-based, with a portion of eligible supported project costs (expenditures) being reimbursed.

Project costs that are supported by SIF include:

  • direct labour costs
  • direct materials and equipment costs
  • other direct costs
  • overhead costs (program limits apply)
  • subcontracts and consultants costs
  • land and building costs, which must:
    • be necessary and reasonable in order to be able to carry out project activities and
    • benefit all network members (for Collaborations and Networks projects)

Additional conditions may apply to applications that include land-related costs.

Other eligible costs for Collaborations and Networks projects

In addition to the above, the following costs are eligible for SIF support in the Collaborations and Networks category:

  • expenditures related to network operations and activities, including:
    • the organization of networking events
    • the operation of regional offices across Canada
    • participation in collaborative research and technology
    • conferences and workshops in support of collaborative research and development (R&D) activities
  • costs related to network operations, including:
    • travel
    • salaries
    • overhead
    • office equipment
    • professional services
    • other operational costs, as appropriate

E) What are examples of ineligible costs?

SIF will not support certain costs, even if they are reasonably and properly incurred in the context of an approved project.

Examples of unsupported costs include:

  • advertising
    • except reasonable advertising of an industrial or institutional character placed in trade, technical or professional journals for the dissemination of information for the industry or institution
  • allowance for interest on invested capital, bonds, debentures, bank or other loans together with related bond discounts and finance charges
  • amortization of unrealized appreciation of assets
  • compensation for officers and employees that is unreasonable
  • depreciation of assets
  • donations
  • dues and other memberships other than regular trade and professional associations
  • entertainment expenses
  • fines and penalties
  • losses on investments, bad debts and expenses for collection charges
  • losses on other projects or contracts
  • premiums for life insurance on the lives of officers and/or directors
  • product development or improvement expenses not associated with the project
  • provisions for contingencies
  • selling and marketing expenses associated with the products or services or both being developed as a part of this project
  • taxes, including:
    • excess profit taxes or surtaxes
    • federal or provincial income taxes
    • goods and services taxes
    • special expenses in connection with those taxes

F) How do organizations apply for SIF?

The application process of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) focuses on project outcomes and benefits for Canadians.

To apply to SIF you must:

G) What is the SIF funding process?

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) funding process is divided into 3 main stages.

  1. Before you apply
  2. Apply
  3. After your project is approved and Contribution Agreement signed
Text version

Before you apply

  • Step 1: Consultations

Apply

  • Step 2: Statement of Interest
  • Step 3: Full application

After signing of the contribution agreement

  • Step 4: Implementation and monitoring

Before you apply

1) Consultations

Before applying, a consultation with SIF officials helps to ensure:

  • your project aligns with SIF's priorities
  • your project meets the eligibility requirements
  • your organization is better prepared to complete the steps in the application stage of the process

At this stage you are required to:

Apply

2) Statement of Interest (SOI) application

Following the consultation, SIF officials may recommend that you submit the SOI to start the application stage of the SIF funding process. SIF officers will email you the application form.

In the SOI, you will describe:

  • what your project is and who you main partners are
  • how it benefits Canada
  • how it meets the objectives and priorities of SIF
  • your organization's financial and management capacity to complete the project, including a demonstrated track record in successfully delivering similar projects in the past and your past experience with other government investments

Once you submit the SOI, SIF will:

  1. acknowledge receipt of your SOI and provide you with contact information of the SIF officer leading your project
  2. assess the information
  3. notify you of the results, which may include one of the following:
    1. a request for additional information to be further assessed
    2. and invitation to the next phase of the process (full application) through a Letter of Intent (LOI)
    3. a notice that your project will not be further considered for support with potentially a referral to another program

3) Full application

If you receive an invitation to submit a full application, you will be invited to submit more information about your project for SIF to complete a due diligence and benefits assessment. The full application process may take several months.

Once your application is complete, SIF will:

  1. Do a due diligence assessment: An in-depth evaluation of your organization's capacity and experience to:
    • implement the proposed project
    • achieve the stated project objective
    • fulfill any repayment obligations

    Additionally, for Collaborations and Networks projects, to ensure that the proposed projects achieve stated objectives, SIF will also assess the capacity and experience of:

    • the lead applicant
    • other members in the network

    Due diligence assessments are full evaluations performed by experts assigned to the project. Experts consider the following factors when conducting the due diligence process:

    • technical feasibility
    • additional benefits to Canada
    • greenhouse gas impact (if applicable)
    • managerial, technical and workforce capability
    • equity, diversity and inclusion practices of your company
    • financial and market risk, including a close analysis of your eligible project costs

    Organizations leading Collaborations and Networks projects will need to consider similar assessment criteria in assessing individual projects requesting support from the network.

  2. Recommend the project for approval: If the project passes due diligence, SIF will enter into negotiations with the applicant for the development of a Term Sheet and a recommendation may be made to the Minister for approval.
  3. Develop a Contribution Agreement: Once the project has received all necessary approvals, SIF will work with you to develop a Contribution Agreement based on the approved Term Sheet.

After your project is approved and Contribution Agreement signed

4) Implementation and monitoring

SIF is a claim based program. Once the Contribution Agreement is signed by both parties, you will start claiming your costs, typically, on a quarterly basis and report on the status of the project. SIF will require regular reporting throughout the life of your project.

The reports will help to track the progress of the project as defined in the Statement of Work and its risks. SIF monitors all projects regularly, including work performance and compliance with the benefits listed in the Contribution Agreement.

SIF may also audit projects to verify:

  • costs claimed during the work phase of the project
  • royalties reported during the benefits phase of the project
  • compliance with the Lobbying Act and the Impact Assessment Act during negotiations of the Contribution Agreement

Learn more: Reporting requirements: Strategic Innovation Fund

H) How do the consultations work?

Pitch your project to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) in a meeting with SIF officials.

What to expect during a consultation

Consultations help you save time once you are invited to fill out the Statement of Interest (SOI) application form.

Consultations last from 30 minutes to an hour. SIF officers will provide you with information about the program and its requirements, and will answer your questions. This meeting may also include other Government of Canada employees from within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada or other departments, depending on the scope and sector of your proposed project.

As you will pitch your project to SIF's officials and in some instances to Industry Sector specialists, be prepared to speak about your project. You will have 10 to 15 minutes to present the details of your project.

How to request a consultation

To request consultations, you must first use the SIF check your eligibility questionnaire. At the end of the questionnaire, you can select the option to request a consultation.

To help us better prepare for your consultation, please provide a summary of your project.

Important

If your project is not ready for SIF funding, you may wish to consult the Business Benefits Finder to explore potential funding options from the Government of Canada.

How to prepare for a consultation

Be sure that your project meets all of SIF's requirements, including:

Your 10- to 15-minute project pitch may include the following information:

  • what your project is and where it will be located
  • how your project will benefit Canada in the following areas:
    • economic benefits
    • public benefits
    • innovation benefits
  • a brief technical explanation of your innovation provided in clear, plain language
  • additional project information, including:
  • your organization's financial success to date in order to prove your organization's capability to complete the project as intended
  • additional information about your organization, including:
    • environmental practices
    • equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices

Network proposals should also include:

  • a brief explanation of the network model, including plans to redistribute funding
  • your organizational capacity to lead a network
  • a list of key partners
  • the level of sector or industry support
  • the geographic scope of the network

What to expect after a consultation

Some outcomes of the consultations may include:

Your project is a good fit

If SIF considers your project to be a good fit for the program, you will receive an email invitation to apply including the SOI application.

Your project is not yet ready

If your project could be a good fit for SIF in the future, you will receive information on which elements of the project could be enhanced or improved for future consideration.

At any time during the consultation process, you may still decide to request and submit the SOI application. The results of the consultations are meant to provide the best advice and to support efficiencies in the application process.

Your project may benefit from another funding program

If your project does not meet the requirements for SIF, you may receive a referral to an alternative funding program within the Government of Canada. If SIF cannot find an alternative program, you may be directed to speak with an Innovation Advisor for additional guidance.

At any time during the consultation process, you may still decide to request and submit the SOI application. The results of the consultations are meant to provide the best advice and to support efficiencies in the application process.

I) How are Terms Sheets and Contribution Agreements developed?

If your project passes the due diligence assessment, we will work with you to determine terms and conditions for the funding you may receive and create the Term Sheet and the Contribution Agreement.

Term Sheet

As the foundation for the Contribution Agreement, the Term Sheet outlines the terms and conditions of Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) funding.

The terms and conditions include the benefits the project will generate for Canadians, such as:

  • job creation in Canada
  • research and development (R&D)
  • capital investments
  • reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • gender, diversity and equity targets
  • preservation of intellectual property (IP) ownership in Canada

The Term Sheet is submitted to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for approval.

Contribution Agreement

Once the project is approved by the Minister, SIF will prepare a Contribution Agreement to formalize the contribution.

At this stage, you would no longer be referred to as a SIF "applicant" but as a "recipient."

This document outlines both the department's and your legally binding responsibilities and obligations.

For a company incorporated in Canada or a partnership carrying on business in Canada, a Contribution Agreement can span 20 years or more. This includes monitoring the project benefits.

The Contribution Agreement outlines the:

  • reporting requirements
  • schedule of repayments
  • proposed benefits to Canadians
  • funding terms and conditions
  • consequences of the agreement terms not being met
  • obligations of both the recipient and the Government of Canada

J) How does SIF benefit Canadians?

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) benefits Canada by:

  • developing enterprises through research and development, accelerating technology transfer and attracting investments in Canada
  • improving the lives of Canadians through more jobs, diverse workforces, improved health outcomes, enhanced safety and strong security
  • transforming our economic and environmental landscape by reducing greenhouse gases and growing the use of clean, sustainable technologies

SIF reviews the potential for each project to benefit the Canadian economy and Canadians at large when assessing the Statement of Interest.

Economic benefits

SIF assesses projects based on economic benefits, including:

  • growth of Canadian firms, clusters and supply chains
  • expected benefits for Canada's workforce, including:
    • maintaining Canadian jobs
    • creating Canadian jobs
  • ability to commit to further developing technologies for potential commercialization or research purposes (Collaborations and Networks projects only)

We will consider the following factors in assessing the economic benefits of a project:

  • number of jobs the project will create
  • number of high-paying jobs the project will create
  • project-related revenue growth

Public benefits

SIF assesses projects based on their contribution to the public good, including:

  • environmental best practices
  • investment in skills and training
  • inclusive business and hiring practices, such as gender balance

In assessing the public benefits of a project, we will consider how many benefits the project may generate in the following areas:

  • health
  • society
  • security
  • environment
  • other areas that affect the Canadian public including:
    • investment in local communities
    • project-related impact on Indigenous communities

Innovation benefits

SIF assesses projects based on how innovative they are, including how much projects enhance or develop:

  • new industrial processes
  • new technology

We will consider the following factors in assessing innovation benefits:

  • potential spillover benefits
  • creation of intellectual property
  • impact on productivity of the new technology

K) What are the SIF contribution amounts?

If your application is successful, the amount of funding you receive ("contribution amount" Footnote 1 ) from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) will depend on a number of factors, including the:

  • overall cost of your project
  • total level of government assistance you get for your project

The minimum SIF contribution amount is $10 million for a project with at least $20 million in total eligible supported costs. The amount you request from SIF should be based on your project needs.

L) Assistance from other governments

SIF often collaborates with other levels of government (for example, provincial governments) to refer projects or to seek co-funding opportunities. The amount of co-funding for Business Innovation and Growth projects is different from the amount of co-funding for Collaborations and Networks projects.

Business Innovation and Growth projects

Contribution amounts are based on the minimum amount required for the eligible project activities to proceed. Contribution funding is structured to ensure fairness amongst recipients and it is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Contribution funding is typically expressed as a percentage and may be referred to as the sharing ratio. It is equal to the total SIF contribution amount divided by the total eligible supported costs.

If your project is approved for funding, your sharing ratio will be based on the type of activities proposed for your project, with a focus on the eligible activities.

Government assistance co-funding amount

This total amount includes the combined level of assistance from all levels of Canadian government:

  • federal
  • provincial
  • territorial
  • municipal

The combined level of assistance from all levels of Canadian government is taken into consideration when determining contribution funding amounts. However, industry participation is expected.

Collaborations and Networks projects

Contributions are generally non-repayable with certain conditions.

Contribution funding is typically expressed as a percentage and may be referred to as the sharing ratio. It is equal to the total SIF contribution amount divided by the total eligible supported costs.

Activities are grouped into two categories, each with its own sharing ratios:

  • Operational activities such as salaries, office equipment, professional services, overhead, travel, cost related to the further distribution of funds and other operational costs as appropriate. For operational activities, lead recipients may receive contribution funding to cover their eligible supported costs.
  • Project activities such as research and development, platforms, and services. For project activities, recipients may receive contribution funding to cover a portion of their eligible supported costs if they are for-profit, or potentially most or all of their eligible supported costs if they are a not-for-profit organization or academic institution.

Government assistance co-funding amount

This total amount includes the combined level of assistance from all levels of Canadian government:

  • federal
  • provincial
  • territorial
  • municipal

The combined level of assistance from all levels of Canadian government is taken into consideration when determining contribution funding amounts. However, industry participation is anticipated.

M) What are the repayment conditions?

Your Contribution Agreement will specify the type of contribution you will receive.

Repayable contributions

SIF contribution amounts are repayable by default. They are structured to ensure fairness between recipients and are determined individually on a case-by-case basis.

The contribution amount and the terms of repayment will be determined after a due diligence assessment of the full application. They are based on the overall project benefits and risks.

Repayable contributions may take one of the following forms:

  • Unconditional: Recipients will repay no more than the nominal value of the amount paid to them by SIF (i.e., interest-free). The amount will be repaid on a fixed repayment schedule over a predetermined period of time, after an initial grace period. Amounts are therefore typically known or predictable upfront. Repayments are typically made on an annual basis.
  • Conditional: Recipients will make repayments that may or may not exceed the nominal value of the contribution paid to them by SIF. Total repayments will depend on certain verifiable conditions, and they will be made over a predetermined period of time. Although conditional repayments can be estimated, the final amounts are typically unknown until a condition occurs. Repayments are typically made on an annual basis, once the repayment amount is able to be determined.
    • Example: Annual audited gross business revenues are a verifiable figure that may be used as an underlying basis for calculating conditional repayments. If a recipient's business grows in the future, and so do their revenues, repayments would align with the growth.
  • A combination of unconditional and conditional: Recipients will make repayments that may or may not exceed the nominal value of the contribution paid to them by SIF. Repayments will be made over a fixed, predetermined period of time and will be based on the terms and conditions of both unconditional and conditional repayable contributions.
    • Example: A statement of work may contain several project activities. One portion of the contribution might be deemed unconditionally repayable, based on a predetermined repayment schedule with fixed repayments. The other portion of the contribution may be conditionally repayable, based on a verifiable metrics, such as audited gross business revenues.

Non-repayable contributions

Non-repayable contributions will only be considered for eligible costs of activities that will both:

This may include activities that result in:

  • strong environmental benefits related to Canada's climate change goals
  • constructing anchor facilities
  • deepening Canadian supply chains
  • generating significant technology spillover benefits

Each project activity's benefits will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine if the criteria has been met.

N) What are the reporting requirements during and after the project?

If your project is selected for funding, you will be required to submit several documents both during and after the project life cycle.

During the project

You will be required to submit:

  • regular claims based on incurred and paid costs
  • regular project status reports
  • regular benefit and risk updates
  • annual cashflow forecasts and project financing updates

Throughout the project life cycle

You will be required to submit:

  • annual consolidated financial statements
  • an Annual Performance Benefits Report (APBR)
  • other plans and reports as required to fulfill specific commitments, including plans for:
    • intellectual property
    • supply chain continuity
    • sustainability
    • equity, diversity and inclusion
  • corporate plan (for Collaborations and Networks projects only)
  • annual report (for Collaborations and Networks projects only)
  • reports of any changes that would affect your:
    • corporate structure
    • any obligation under the Contribution Agreement

After completion of the project

You will be required to submit:

  • annual reports on project benefits including fulfillment of specific commitments
  • repayment forecasts if the contribution is repayable
  • regular royalty statements with every payment

As outlined in the Contribution Agreement, recipients of Strategic Innovation Fund agree to participate in audits of project costs and revenues as necessary.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada may also ask you to provide reports as necessary to contribute to the assessment of the Strategic Innovation Fund, including its success stories.

O) Legal considerations

As part of the application process, you are required to provide the following representations:

  • that any person, including any consultant or in-house lobbyist, who lobbies on its behalf to obtain funding under the Strategic Innovation Fund, and who is required to be registered pursuant to the Lobbying Act, is registered pursuant to the Lobbying Act. For more information on lobbying and the Lobbying Act, consult the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada
  • that the Applicant has not, and neither has any person on its behalf, engaged or employed any person (other than an employee) for the purposes of obtaining funding from the Strategic Innovation Fund; and paid, or agreed to pay that person, a commission, contingency or success fee or any other consideration (whether monetary or otherwise) that is dependent upon the Applicant receiving program funding
  • that any former public servant, who derives benefit from the Contribution Agreement, will be in compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the public service, the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and the Policy on Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment
  • that any former public officer holder, who derives benefit from the Contribution Agreement, will be in compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act
  • that no member of the House of Commons or Senate will benefit from the Contribution Agreement
  • that any contributions from the program is not included in the evaluation of, nor be used for, executive performance pay

P) Intellectual Property

If you apply to SIF, you must ensure that for any intellectual property (IP) your company must either:

  • own the background IP
  • hold sufficient background IP rights to allow your project's activities to be carried out

Your company must also hold enough rights to allow you to make full use of the benefits from any IP resulting from your project's activities.

It is your company's responsibility to protect any IP resulting from SIF-supported activities.

In your application to SIF, you will be required to provide information about your IP strategy as it relates to your project.

Q) Security of company information

SIF will handle your information in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act, the Access to Information Act and other related legislation.

Unless authorized, SIF will not disclose your project information to any party outside of the federal government, other than external partners retained to review technical aspects of your application.

SIF will not disclose your commercially confidential information, except in the following circumstances:

  • the company authorizes the release
  • the information ceases to be confidential
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is required to release the information by law
  • the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada is required to release the information to an international or internal trade panel because of a dispute in which Canada is a party or a third-party intervener

You must mark any information that is commercially confidential as such in your application.

R) International agreements

SIF is administered according to Canada's international agreements. Contributions are not dependent on, in law or in fact, actual or estimated export performance.

S) Contact us

Telephone (toll-free in Canada): 1-800-328-6189
Telephone (Ottawa): 613-954-5031
Fax: 343-291-1913
TTY (for hearing-impaired): 1-866-694-8389

More contact options

Business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
By mail: Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)
C.D. Howe Building
235 Queen Street, 1st floor, West Tower
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5
Canada