ENCQOR 5G Technology Development (SME) Program
The Technology Development (SME) Program partners Ontario-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms on 5G technology development projects.
Offered by Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Amount
100% of total eligible project costs, maximum to be defined in the posted Challenge Statement
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Applicant
- An Innovation-Driven Enterprise (IDE), using or developing technology innovation or innovative
processes for competitive advantage in provincial, national and/or global markets
- For-profit, incorporated in Ontario or Canada, and has a valid CRA business number
- A small-to-medium size enterprise (SME - less than 500 employees in Ontario)
- Has operations with R&D and/or manufacturing in Ontario related to the project
- Has 50 per cent or more of its full-time employees located as their ordinary place of work in
Ontario
- The applicant must have a validated, innovative product/service or technology that can be a
solution to the Technology Development Challenge for which they are applying
- The applicant must have an arms-length relationship with the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner
defined in the Technology Development Challenge Statement for which they are applying
- Applicants must be in good financial and reporting standing with OCI
- Companies with over $500,000 of OCI funding in their lifetime (inclusive of current application),
will be required to obtain OCI approval before a new application for funding is initiated.
- Applicants must be willing to co-operate in providing project and outcomes metrics
- Applicants must be willing to execute a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the ENCQOR 5G
Anchor Firm Partner defined in the Technology Development Challenge Statement for which they are applying
- Applicants must be willing to undergo the procurement process of the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm
Partner defined in the ENCQOR 5G Technology Development Challenge Statement for which they are applying
- Applicants must be willing to enter into a funding agreement with OCI and Innovation ENCQOR
- Applicants must be willing to enter into a separate professional services agreement with the
ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner defined in the Technology Development Challenge Statement for which they are applying
- Additional Applicant eligibility requirements may vary by Challenge Statement.
ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner
- Project Partners must be one of the Ontario ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firms (Ciena, Ericsson, Thales)
- Partners are defined in the Technology Development Challenge Statement
Project
- Projects must be developed in response to an active Technology Development Challenge
Statement
- At the full application stage the application must be developed in partnership with the ENCQOR
5G Anchor Firm
- Areas of technology interest and expected project outcomes will be defined in the Technology
Development Challenge Statement
- Projects must be between 12-24 months in duration. Expected project timeline will be defined
in the Technology Development Challenge Statement.
- All Technology Development Challenge Statements and projects developed in response to these
Challenge Statements must drive the development, integration, testing or validation of pre- commercial technologies with a link to the Innovation Platform as Service (iPaaS) testbed.
- Project activities may vary from R&D to later stage validation- expected technology readiness
level of the solution technology may vary by Technology Development Challenge Statement but must be within TRL levels 1-7.
- Projects should show a clear fit with the industry priorities outlined in the Technology
Development Challenge Statement and show strong potential for commercial impact for the applicant and the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner.
- The applicant and/or ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm Partner must be able to utilize the results of the
project for the economic, environmental or social benefit of Ontario. This includes direct economic benefit (e.g., new jobs, increased revenue, increased productivity, cost savings), and/or indirect economic benefit to other members of the value chain, partners, or industry in Ontario (e.g. job creation, capacity building, strategic benefit). Contribution to the training and industry exposure of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) at the company is also a desired element.
- Intellectual Property (IP) arising from the project will be managed by the project participants as
OCI does not claim or manage IP rights. Successful applicants and the ENCQOR 5G Anchor Firm(s) must execute OCI’s funding agreement, including an executed Schedule D, Intellectual Property Term Sheet (for example, in the form of a Collaborative Research Agreement), within 30 days of notification of approval.
Intern (Optional):
- Applicants may select to apply for funding to support an intern as part of the project.
- Full detail about OCI’s TalentEdge Program and Intern Eligibility can be found in the program
guidelines
About the funding
entrepreneurial networks How Funding Works Program Contribution 100% of total eligible project costs, maximum to be defined in the posted Challenge Statement
Industry Partner Contribution NA
Example -- Funding Recipient Ontario-based SME Institutional Overhead NA ENCQOR 5G TalentEdge Applicants may select to apply for additional funding to support an intern Internships as part of the project. Full detail about OCI’s TalentEdge Program and Intern Eligibility can be found in the program guidelines.
Flow of Funds The Technology Development (SME) Program is funded by both the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and the Federal Government through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Projects funded through the ENCQOR 5G Technology Development Program will receive funding from both levels of government through the claims and reimbursement process administered by OCI.
Show all funding details
The ENCQOR 5G Technology Development Program does not advance project funds to companies upon activation.
Project funds will be disbursed based on Interim Progress and Claims Report(s)submitted to OCI at the following intervals:
Interim Progress and Claims Report 1 3 months after project activation date Interim Progress and Claims Report 2 6 months after project activation date Interim Progress and Claims Report 3 12 months after activation date Interim Progress and Claims Report 4 18 months after activation date Final report Project end date If a project timeline is shorter than two years the number of biannual interim progress and claims reports after Interim Progress and Claims Report 2 will be reduced to reflect the duration of the project timeline.
Reimbursement claims will include a report on project related expenses and supporting documentation.
Generally, OCI funds will support salaries and benefits of staff and contractors. Operating costs to achieve milestones are also allowed. Capital costs are not eligible expenses.
For a full list of eligible expenses please refer to the eligible project expenditures document.
Eligible Use of Funds:
Eligible expenses include costs and activities directly related to achieving the objectives for which the OCI funding was granted. All procurement activities must conform to Broader Public Sector Accountability Act (BPSAA).
Eligible Expenses:
Actual costs directly attributable to and necessary for the completion of the project and are not wholly or partially for another purpose. One-time costs, directly attributable to implementation of the project; actual cash outlays that must be documented through invoices, receipts, or records - and are subject to verification by an independent auditor. Evidence of payment must be maintained for audit purposes.
Retroactive Expenses:
OCI will acknowledge expenses after the approval date. In cases where an application is not approved and activated, expenses are incurred at the risk of the applicant.
Institutional Overhead:
SME Stream, overhead is an eligible expense on Federal Funding salary costs only and capped at a maximum of 55% of the salary cost. The Ontario Funding does not
support overhead.
Founder’s Salary:
For a Start-up company, the maximum allowable compensation for a founder is $5,000 per month (terms and conditions apply), please consult with your OCI Business Development Manager for details.
Capital Costs:
Capital items (fixed assets) include equipment, testing tools, and instruments that have residual values as determined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) at the end of the funding period. The eligible expense items allowed by OCI are the cost of utilization/depreciation of capital item (fixed assets) specifically required for the delivery of the eligible project. The prorated cost should be entered under “Regular Equipment” along with the justification.
Travel outside of the province of Ontario requires a request for pre-approval from OCI which will include justification.
Sub-contractor and consultant fees must approved by OCI management prior
to the start of the project and if procured in accordance with the BPSAA Procurement Directive
- Materials purchased solely for the performance of the Project must be charged
to the Project at the net laid down cost to the Applicant; and
- Materials issued from the general stocks of the Applicant must be charged to
the Project in accordance with the method as used consistently by the Recipient in pricing its material inventories.
Regular Equipment includes:
- Cost of usage of equipment (up to maximum 20% of the project cost);
- Project related computer hardware and software, including specialized
hardware and software.
INDIRECT COSTS (OVERHEAD) APPLICABLE TO FEDERAL FUNDING ONLY:
Eligible Expenses
- Indirect Costs, also called “Overhead”, are those costs which, though necessarily having been incurred during the Work Phase for the conduct of the business in
general of the Recipient, cannot be identified and measured as directly applicable to the carrying out of the Project.
Indirect Costs include:
- indirect materials and supplies (including but not limited to, supplies of low-value, high-usage items which meet the definition of Direct Material Costs but for which
it is commercially unreasonable, in the context of the Project, to account for their costs in the manner prescribed for Direct Costs);
- indirect labour;
- fringe benefits;
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