Frequently Asked Questions – Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

CIIP defines a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) as an incorporated, for-profit company with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistant Program (NRC IRAP) work together in the delivery of the program. GAC is responsible for the delivery of the Partnership Development Activities (PDAs) while NRC IRAP manages all the Call for Proposals and funding collaborative research and development (R&D) projects.

No, it is not necessary to have a relationship with or be a client of either the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) or NRC IRAP. However, companies applying for R&D project funding will eventually have to register with NRC IRAP, which is an additional process, therefore it is recommended that the applicants contact NRC IRAP prior to applying. For more information on CIIP eligibility and becoming an NRC IRAP client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727

A contribution is a form of funding offered by the program for specific activities and expenditures related to an approved project. Contributions are subject to performance conditions that are specified in a Contribution Agreement (CA). The recipient must show that their project continues to meet the performance conditions over the life of the agreement in order to be reimbursed for specific costs.

No. However, companies that receive funding must be able to finance their share of the R&D project, either with direct revenue and/or capital.

Yes, however we recommend contacting your program officer to discuss the logistics of your needs.

You can apply to a  Partnership Development Activity (PDA) when there are PDAs listed under Open Activities. Choose an open PDA to be directed to the PDA Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) page, for a more detailed breakdown of the activity, including the application process for Canadian SMEs. In order to apply for a PDA, companies must contact the trade commissioner responsible for administering the mission. This information is provided at the bottom of each country specific Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) page.

It is recommended that potential applicants register for automatic updates on the CIIP website under the Subscribe to Updates portal to be automatically notified when there is a new PDA open.

Yes, you can still apply as it is not necessary to have any previous connections to a specified PDA market.

No. It is not necessary for an applicant to identify a foreign partner before applying to a PDA. The goal of PDAs is to introduce Canadian SMEs to new international markets and potential partners.

There are 5 markets eligible under CIIP:

1. Brazil
2. China
3. India
4. Israel
5. South Korea

If there is a market you would like to apply to that is noteligible under CIIP, we recommend checking out EUREKA as a possible alternative.

CIIP helps fund collaborative R&D Projects between a Canadian SME and their foreign partner, with the aim to co-develop, adapt, and/or validate a technology that is close to commercialization (3 -5 years after project completion). The time frame for commercialisation will vary depending on the country and sector. In order to be eligible for funding, the project needs to fall between 6 and 9 on the Technology Readiness Level.

Project partners must have a signed Partnership Agreement prior to applying. Within this partnership agreement, the roles and responsibilities of each partner, a solidified IP framework and a budget breakdown must be clearly stated.

There are 5 markets eligible under CIIP’s R&D projects:

1. Brazil
2. China
3. India
4. Israel
5. South Korea

Yes. If your technology has been commercialized in one market, then you are still eligible to apply for funding to commercialize your technology in another CIIP market or co-develop a new technology from an existing commercialized technology.

Calls for Proposals (CFPs) for each country are launched once a year and are posted to the CIIP website. It is recommended that interested companies Subscribe to Updates to be automatically notified when a CFP is launched.

Funding for each CFP is done on a competitive basis, meaning that although a project may be eligible, the program can only fund a certain number of projects per CFP.

There are four phases to the application process:

• Phase 1: Register with NRC IRAP, which will prompt applicants to provide basic information on their organization. An NRC IRAP representative known as an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) will be assigned to the applicant.
• Phase 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). During this phase, each Canadian applicant must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form outlining basic information on the applicant and the collaborative R&D project. EOIs will be evaluated by the applicant's NRC IRAP representative and the NRC IRAP International Office. Qualifying applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP).
• Phase 3: Submit an International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP). The applicant and their foreign partner must complete and submit an ICPP package to their national funding body. ICPPs are evaluated by both NRC IRAP and the partner country`s national funding body to select approved projects for funding.
• Phase 4: The National Funding Body Proposal and Funding Agreement. During this phase, all selected project partners will work independently with their national funding body to complete funding proposals and sign legally binding agreements. Selected Canadian applicants will work with their NRC IRAP representative to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal and Contribution Agreement (CA).

Not necessarily. This is based on the national funding body’s criteria. Some countries only fund SMEs while others do not. Check the eligibility requirements on the national funding body`s website.

Your foreign partner can find their respective funding through NRC IRAP, who will provide the link for your foreign partner’s funding opportunity on their Call for Proposal (CFP) webpage.