Canadian Blue Economy Mission to Germany

Request for expression of interest

Global Affairs Canada, through the Embassy of Canada in Berlin, in collaboration with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), is pleased to announce that they are now accepting applications to participate in the “Blue Economy Mission to Germany”, which will take place from February 14 to 18, 2022, in several locations in Northern Germany (Possibly Rostock, Kiel and Hamburg; exact locations TBD).

Interested companies must apply no later than December 7, 2021*extended*.

Note: This mission is being planned as an in-person event requiring travel to Germany.  However, travel must be consistent with Canada’s travel advice and advisories and those of Germany. If these advisories recommend against travel to Germany at the time the mission, the mission may have to take place virtually. This means that B2B meetings and speaking opportunities would be held virtually and some elements of the program may have to be cancelled. Additionally, any funding approved for participant travel to the mission would be rescinded.

Mission Objective

The R&D Partnering mission will focus on introducing Canadian Small-to Medium-Size Enterprises (SME) to potential German partners for industrial R&D collaborations specific to intelligent solutions with applications in the blue economy sector.

Examples of R&D collaboration being targeted:

• Validation of Canadian technology to the German or other markets
• Adaptation of Canadian technology to meet German or other market characteristics
• Joint development of new products or services by combining Canadian and German technologies.

Canadian Delegation Profile

Canadian delegates to the “Blue Economy Mission to Germany” should meet the requirements below in order to benefit from this initiative:

• Profit-oriented small or medium-size enterprise (500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees incorporated in Canada
• Previous experience in commercializing technology for domestic or international markets;
• Capacity and interest to co-develop technology with German partners
• Committed to expansion to the German market
• Sufficient working capital and human resources to undertake a multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results

Mission Description

The “Blue Economy Mission to Germany” will be taking place over a 5-day period in February 2022 and will consist of multiple B2B activities and visits to key blue economy sector-related organizations. The mission will focus on establishing industrial R&D collaborations opportunities (specifically technology validation, adaption and/or co-development) in the blue economy sector field. This mission has been specifically designed to promote discussions on commercialization-oriented R&D collaboration opportunities. Elements of the mission may include:

• Participation in on-line organized webinars prior to mission
• Tailored B2B meetings with German companies (MNEs and SMEs), and Research Centres to discuss R&D collaboration opportunities
• Small group discussions on specific topics of interest, to foster opportunities for R&D collaboration;
• Speaking opportunities for Canadian participants to present their company capabilities for industrial R&D collaboration to German companies, industry associations, researchers, and public agencies
• Site visits

Technology and products of particular interest for the “Blue Economy Mission to Germany” include applications for intelligent solutions in the areas of:

• Environmental monitoring (e.g. remote sensing, data interpretation and management systems);
• Subsea technologies (energy, manipulator and sensors)
• AUVs and ROVs (long range AUV, autonomous vehicles, remotely operated vehicles); and/or,
• Subsea communication/ positioning (underwater acoustic modems & transponders, positioning beacons)

Why Germany?

The German blue economy sector is a very dynamic sector with potential in many different areas for Canadian companies. Many different system integrators and small companies as well as research institutes such as Alfred Wegener Institute, Geomar and Fraunhofer IGD  develop solutions for different fields of application in the blue economy sector.

The ocean technologies market is currently facing challenges around adapting, adopting, and/developing environmentally friendly and safer technologies. Therefore, research has increasingly focused on intelligent systems for marine and offshore technology (oil & gas, gas hydrates, marine mineral resources) and their safety. Important future challenges are not only shifting to the oceans and greater water depths, but also to more remote, climatically demanding regions like the Arctic and Antarctic. These developments will require the development of innovative technologies that can withstand harsh conditions. There is also an increased need for research in the area of digitization and autonomy, AI, and big data management. Control, communication and surveillance techniques increasingly play an integral part in all areas of the maritime process chain, in particular, production and operation. Furthermore, the following areas of researching are only growing in their importance: the development of intelligent systems for marine technology, the offshore production of oil and gas, the offshore wind energy and the extraction of gas hydrates possibly in connection with carbon dioxide storage in the seabed as well as marine mineral raw materials.

German stakeholders in the blue economy sector are working on different solutions to respond to the changing market demands. In this context, there is a need and openness to meet with potential partners for R&D collaboration.

Financial Support for Travel to the Mission

The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) may provide financial support to eligible Canadian participants for 50% of all eligible expenses (see application process below) that include but are not limited to the following:

• Economy airfare;
• Local transportation; and
• Meals and Accommodation

See CIIP Applicant Guide for the complete list of eligible expenses. The CIIP Applicant Guide can be received by contacting either Enrico Nake (enrico.nake@international.gc.ca) and/or the CIIP (innovation@international.gc.ca).

How to Apply for Participation

1. Interested companies should request an application from Enrico Nake (enrico.nake@international.gc.ca), Trade Commissioner for ocean technologies at the Embassy of Canada in Berlin. Your expression of interest must include a brief summary of your company. A full application form requesting additional information on your company, your technology and your interest in discussing possible R&D opportunities will be sent to you
2. Completed application forms are due no later than December 7, 2021*extended* to Enrico Nake (enrico.nake@international.gc.ca); The Embassy of Canada in Berlin and NRC IRAP will select companies to participate in the mission. Selected applicants can expect to be notified no later than December 17, 2021
3. Companies formally selected to participate in the mission will be invited to apply for travel funding support. Interested participants should request a travel funding form from Enrico Nake (enrico.nake@international.gc.ca)
4. Companies who have applied for travel support will be notified of the funding decision no later than January 7, 2022

Please note: Participation is limited. Applications submitted will be assessed and vetted to determine the eligibility and the relevance of the Applicant to participate in the PDA based on the quality of the information provided regarding the technology and the appropriateness of the technology for the target CIIP PDA market.

If you have any questions concerning application process, please see the CIIP webpage and/or email CIIP at innovation@international.gc.ca. 

Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

Global Affairs Canada in collaboration with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) delivers the Canadian International Innovation program (CIIP) in Germany. CIIP supports industrial R&D partnership development activities between Canadian SMEs and companies in key markets, including Germany.