NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants - September 2025 Intake

Eligibility

NSERC's eligibility requirements for applicants and co-applicants: 

Appointment at an eligible Canadian institution

You must hold or have a firm offer of an appointment at an eligible Canadian institution to hold grant funds. If the offer of a position is still pending approval at the time of application, it must be confirmed in writing to NSERC within six weeks following the application deadline. Your appointment must be ratified by the person(s) or body responsible for approving appointments or their authorized delegate(s).

The appointment can be:

1. Permanent (no fixed end date)
2. A term or contract that can be renewed during the grant term if the eligible appointment is not established for the full grant term.

When your primary affiliation is outside of Canada, you are only eligible if you are affiliated full-time with an eligible Canadian institution for the duration of the grant.

Research and student supervision

Your responsibilities at the eligible Canadian institution must include engagement in research that is not under the direction of another individual, and

Sources of salary/support

1. Your appointment at an eligible Canadian institution must not be conditional on obtaining NSERC grants or other non-NSERC sources of support, including salary support.
2. Your salary must not be paid by NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR grant funds. Exceptions include: institutional grants, and those under the agencies’ salary support programs.

Additional Requirements

• If you are enrolled in a graduate program, you must complete all degree requirements and take up your research appointment at an eligible Canadian institution before any funds can be released for an NSERC grant.
• You must not simultaneously hold a grant and, hold a postdoctoral fellow position or any similar research position under the direction of another individual in any discipline.

For more information, see here. 

Partner eligibility (if applicable)
NSERC will evaluate the eligibility of sponsors before accepting proposals for review. The following organizations may be considered as eligible partners:

Early-stage investment group: This term refers to either venture capital, a seed capital funding entity, angel investors, university technology transfer corporations, incubators, or other similar funding or technology transfer organizations. Organizations that have received public funds as seed funding, but are functioning in a competitive environment and are required to achieve self-sufficiency within a pre-determined time period, may be considered as equivalent to industry.

Companies: Normally, participating companies must be Canadian. Companies outside Canada may also be considered as partners, provided they can demonstrate that there will be clear and direct benefits to the Canadian economy as a result of their participation. As partners, companies must demonstrate that they have, or have the potential to acquire, the capability to commercialize the technology under development.

Researcher-owned companies: Situations in which the researcher is a part owner are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and the company’s stage of development will be taken into consideration in determining eligibility. The commercial activity must conform to the institution’s established policies relating to the disclosure of commercial interest and conflict of interest.

Summary

Note: NSERC is pausing the intake of applications for Market Assessment projects and phase Ib supplements as of February 14, 2025, and until further notice, to review and refine the objectives of these funding opportunities and optimize processes. NSERC will communicate when these funding opportunities re-open.

There are four distinct funding options, characterized by the maturity of the technology or the involvement of an early-stage investment entity or industrial partner (see Partner eligibility for definitions). In the market assessment, NSERC will share costs of an independent and professional market study with the institutions (including the industry liaison office [ILO] or its equivalent). In phase I, the direct costs of research will be entirely supported by NSERC; in phase II, they will be shared with a private-sector partner (company). The technology development may begin with a phase I project (reduction-to-practice stage), followed by a phase II project (technology enhancement); or, if the development is at a later stage, it can start directly with a phase II project. In any case, the combination of phase I and phase II will be limited to a maximum of three years of funding for any given project, and to one grant per phase for the same technology or intellectual property (IP).

Eligible research and development activities

• refining and implementing designs
• verifying application
• conducting field studies
• preparing demonstrations
• building prototypes
• performing beta trials

Discoveries must be disclosed by the investigators according to institution policy, and the IP must be managed by the ILO or its equivalent. The ILO must work on each new proposal (see below). To comply with I2I program requirements, which include matching cash contributions, IP protection, market promotion, etc., IP rights should be assigned to the institution/ILO. The ILO will be in a position to fulfill its commercialization mandate. If you have difficulties finding the ILO at your institution, please contact the I2I staff. The ILO for the University of Calgary is https://innovatecalgary.com/ 

Phase I: reduction-to-practice stage

Phase I reduction-to-practice projects are designed to advance promising technologies in order to attract early-stage investment and/or to build valuable intellectual property (e.g., strengthening the commercial value of the technology, broadening patent claims or strengthening licensing opportunities) in anticipation of transferring the technology to a new or established company.

One of the main reasons why phase I proposals are rejected is that the technology is at too early a stage to be eligible for the I2I grants. Phase I proposals must be based on strong scientific evidence and present the following elements:

• The technology must be sufficiently mature. The basic parameters of the concept must have already been explored, and sufficient testing should have been done to assess the potential of the innovation to work in a “product” environment or for its intended purpose. This represents at least technology readiness level (TRL) 4.
• There must be a clearly identified and well-described potential market. Meaningful letters of support from potential receptors, end users/clients and industrial value-chain players may be very useful.
• The content of the technology transfer section should address the essential questions asked through the market assessment portion.
• Involvement of experienced business mentors is recommended when the team is planning to spin off a new company.

A company may be involved as a testbed for the technology (i.e., potential client). However, when a collaborating company is the intended receptor for the technology (i.e., the company that will market the end product), the cost of the project should be shared with this partner and the application submitted as a phase IIb proposal.

Funding is available for up to 12 months, to a maximum of $125,000, and is non-renewable. NSERC will assume 100% of the direct costs of research for phase I projects.

Each project is expected to have “go/no-go” decision points, representing the achievement of predefined scientific or engineering milestones throughout the project and at the end of phase I, when either seed funding will be provided by an early-stage investment entity or the technology will be further developed with an established or start-up company.

All phase I proposals require a plan describing how a partnership will be established with a Canadian company that has the capacity to commercialize the research results. Although a business partner is not required for phase I applications, a demonstration of interest may strengthen the proposal. Technologies implicitly or explicitly committed to a specific receptor organization or industrial partner have to be submitted as phase II applications. This may not apply if the intention is to create a spin-off company.

NSERC offers an I2I phase Ib supplement. This funding of up to $60,000 for six months can be made available for successfully completed phase I projects with high promise to secure an investor or a licensing company. ILOs or their equivalent should contact NSERC staff for more information.

Phase II: technology enhancement

Phase II projects are designed to provide scientific or engineering evidence that establishes the technical feasibility and market definition of the technology, process or product. Phase II projects require an early-stage investment entity (phase IIa) or a company (phase IIb) to share the costs of the project. The supporting organization is expected to participate actively in planning the project. The proposals fall into two categories according to the partner involved, as described below.

Phase IIa: early-stage investment partner

Proposals with an early-stage investment entity must be designed with a “go/no-go” decision point after 6 to 18 months, which represents the achievement of a predefined scientific or engineering milestone that justifies moving forward by further developing the technology either through a new (i.e., start-up) or established company. NSERC can support up to two-thirds of the costs of the project, with the early-stage investment entity providing the balance in cash. Funding requested from NSERC should not exceed an average of $125,000 per year.

• The partnering firm must lead the preparation of the technology transfer plan and contribute at least a third of the funds required for the project.
• The collaborator should have the financial strength to carry the project into phase IIb or directly to market. If this seed funding will support a spin-off or entrepreneurial
• The technology transfer terms must be disclosed.
• The science must be substantiated to the point that its end product is easily identifiable.
• Thorough market research is required, and potential buyers/markets must be specified. Meaningful letters of support from potential receptors, end users/clients and industrial value-chain players are very useful.
• Well-justified budgets are required, and indications of future financial requirements, as well as the plan to secure these funds, should be provided.
• Involvement of experienced business mentors is required when the team is planning to spin off a new company.

Projects that achieve critical milestones may be pursued for another 6- to 24-month period with either the newly created company or an established Canadian company, provided the cost-sharing arrangements for phase IIb projects are met.

Phase IIb: partnership with a Canadian company

Most of the requirements for phase IIa listed above also apply to phase IIb applications. As well, if the development of the technology was supported by a previous I2I phase, proof that the objectives of the earlier project were achieved must be provided, specifically

• the “prototype” must already be in existence
• a strong business plan is required
• involvement of experienced business mentors is required when the team is planning to spin off a new company
• the receptor capacity to manufacture, distribute, license, etc. must be substantiated
• adequate budgets are required to show that the product will be at the marketing/manufacturing stage at the end of the phase IIb grant
• the “in-kind” contributions should be fully justified, as they will be carefully scrutinized

Phase IIb proposals with a Canadian company are expected to be completed within two years, and funding requested should not exceed $350,000 for the duration of the project. NSERC may fund up to half the cost of the project, with the company providing the other half through a combination of cash and in-kind contributions. Each case will be evaluated on its merits; however, the cash component should equal at least 40% of the amount requested from NSERC.

The industrial partner must have, or be able to acquire by the end of the project, the technical capability to undertake any further development necessary to take the product or process to market. The company receiving the technology should be prepared to carry out a market study, product/process development, engineering, and sales and marketing planning required to establish that a technology is viable, and to enter the market successfully.

The ILO or its equivalent is expected to work with the applicant(s) and the partner in developing proposals and negotiating licensing or other such arrangements.

See summary table of application requirements by phase here. 

Overhead

Not applicable.

How to Apply

Both a submission on the NSERC Online System and an RMS are required for the RSO review. 

1. See NSERC's application instructions for I2I grants for more information about application forms and guidelines.

   Applications are submitted by a college or university researcher (or research group) and, for phase II projects, in association with an eligible partner. In the latter case, the institution and early stage investment partner or company should have in place, before applying, a licensing (or similar) agreement on the right to exploit the invention or discovery. All new proposals are expected to be developed in close collaboration with the institution's ILO or its equivalent. The ILO or its equivalent involved in the application must be identified at the beginning of the technology transfer section of the proposal.

    

2. Complete the Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record in RMS and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the Research Services deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

NSERC staff is willing to review draft proposals submitted sufficiently in advance of the application deadline. Contact them at i2i@nserc-crsng.gc.ca. 

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application