NSERC Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grant

Program Description

The objective of the Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company. The I2I Grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. This is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

Duration:

• Market assessment: up to one year
• Phase I: up to one year
• Phase IIa: from 6 to 18 months
• Phase IIb: up to two years

NSERC application deadlines:

• January 8, 2025
• March 31, 2025
• June 20, 2025
• September 22, 2025

*Please note that as of February 14, 2025 NSERC has paused the intake of applications for Market Assessment projects and phase Ib supplements until further notice.

Full Program Terms

Proposal Development Support

For support in preparing a UBCO-led application, please get in touch with the contact below:

How to Apply

This competition is jointly supported by Innovation UBC and the Office of Research Services.

• Applicants work with Innovation UBC on the proposal and required letter of support.
• Applicants must submit an RPIF and draft application to the Office of Research Services, five business days before the submission deadline (ResearchOffice.UBCO@ubc.ca).
• Applicants must submit final applications in NSERC’s online portal at least two days prior to the deadline and send a final copy to Innovation UBC so they can review the application prior to submission.
• Innovation UBC will communicate directly with the NSE Research Development Officer to confirm the application is ready for submission by noon the day prior to the deadline.
• The Office of Research Services will submit approved applications.

The National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships apply to Phase II applications involving one or more partner organizations from the private sector. These applications will require a validated risk assessment form (RAF), which should be submitted to the Research Security team at least 5 days before the deadline. More information Research Security processes can be found here.

For more information on ORS submission procedures, see:

UBC Okanagan Submission Guidelines