Research Manitoba has launched a new Innovation Proof-of-Concept Grant that aims to strengthen Manitoba-based research innovation and development projects by filling a funding gap in the Manitoba innovation ecosystem. Through two independent streams, this program provides support for innovation and commercialization research that is not otherwise accessible. This program helps fund activities directly related to process validation and proof-of-concept research. The program is targeted towards research in: Bioscience, ICT, Advanced Manufacturing, and Infrastructure and Transportation Industries and Technologies.

The two funding streams are:

Stream 1: Manitoba-Based Consortium supports local collaboration that is addressing a company specific discovery or innovation towards market usability. This stream allows academics to use their world-class knowledge, facilities, and highly qualified personnel (HQP) to close the knowledge gaps identified during the industry partner’s innovation development.

Stream 2: Manitoba Post-Secondary Researchers supports the advancement of discoveries or innovations within an academic setting, which may result in products or technologies, towards market usability.

More information on the grant can be found in the Program Guide or on the Research Manitoba Innovation and Strategic Partnerships website. The application form is also now available on Research Manitoba’s Grants Management System (GMS). The 2020 competition will be open until March 31, 2021.

This morning, the Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Diversification Canada, announced new funding to support Manitoba’s growth and global competitiveness.

Among the projects announced was up to $3 million in funding to Red River College to increase technology adoption and testing capabilities for heavy vehicle manufacturers in collaboration with industry partners and the Vehicle Technology Centre.

The College is currently preparing for the opening of the new extreme climate test facility MotiveLab™, which will be used to carry on-and-off-highway vehicle performance testing, and will be the first of its kind in Western Canada. The funding project will support industry-driven collaborations to advance technology and knowledge development in the area of zero emission vehicles and their production using advanced manufacturing processes. Activities include testing the performance of new technologies and products in a simulated laboratory or field-based setting, and promoting the adoption of these new technologies at domestic and international events and missions. By increasing awareness within the heavy vehicle manufacturing sector, industry will attract new customers, investment and talent to Manitoba.

Minister Carr announced a total of over $12 million in funding for four projects to support Manitoba’s economic growth and global competitiveness. Learn more about the projects and investments here.

CANARIE, a vital component of Canada’s digital research infrastructure (DRI) ecosystem that supports research, education, and innovation, has announced a Call for Participation that will invest in Canadian universities, colleges, and research institutions that participate in the Joint Security Project (JSP).

This call is open to universities, colleges, and research institutions connected to the twelve provincial and territorial network partners that, along with CANARIE, form Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN).

For more information on this call for participation, including timelines and eligibility criteria, please visit the CANARIE website: canarie.ca/JSP-Call2

NSERC‘s College and Community Innovation program will be launching a new competition for the College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF). The competition will be launched this summer with an application deadline in fall 2019. Applicants will be invited to apply for up to $120,000 per year for a duration of one to two years.

CCSIF grants are intended to support college social innovation research projects in areas such as education, integration of vulnerable populations and community development, in partnership with local community organizations. For your reference, you may also wish to review the program details from the 2017 CCSIF competition, however, please note that the program details may be revised for the 2019 competition.

More program details will be available in the coming weeks. Please contact colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca with any questions.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is seeking applications to its PromoScience Grant. PromoScience supports activities and content designed for youth in elementary school and high school, their teachers, and activities that will encourage Indigenous undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies in natural sciences and engineering.

NSERC invites applications that promote the natural sciences and engineering to Canada’s young people, particularly to groups such as girls and Indigenous peoples that are under-represented in scientific and engineering careers.

The application deadline is September 15, 2019. For more information and to apply, please visit their website.

A new funding opportunity from Natural Resources Canada is now available for Canadian entrepreneurs and private companies working in the fields of manufacturing, electricity, transportation, and buildings. An investment of up to $30 million through a new initiative called Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada (BESC) will foster cutting-edge companies to deliver clean energy innovations to the market.

Launched under a new stream of NRCan’s Energy Innovation Program, in partnership with Breakthrough Energy, BESC is a first-of-its-kind public–private initiative aimed at accelerating the development of clean energy technologies with the potential for substantial pollution reductions globally.

To find out if you could be eligible and to learn more about BESC, please visit their website.

Please note this opportunity from the Workers Compensation Board (WCB):

“Working with its partners, the WCB promotes safe and healthy workplaces, facilitates recovery and return to work, provides compassionate and supportive compensation services for workers and employers, and ensures responsible financial stewardship.  As part of this commitment, the WCB has created the Research and Workplace Innovation Program (RWIP) to promote and fund scientific research, workplace innovation, training and education projects and knowledge transfer related to prevention of occupational injuries, diseases and return to work of injured or ill workers.

RWIP Projects are funded under three streams:

• Scientific Research
• Training and Education
• Workplace Innovation

Generally, each project would be up to two years in duration and funded up to a maximum of $100,000 each year. A total of $1 million is available to fund qualified projects.”

For more information and to apply, please visit wcb.mb.ca.

The Strategic Transformation & Applied Research (STAR) fund is a new internal funding program at Red River College. An evolution from previous internal funding (PIF and CARD), the new fund aims to support a broad range of activities at the College with emphasis on interdisciplinary and multi-department projects.

Proposals must clearly demonstrate innovation, must be unique and/or have elements of strategic transformation.

There are three main categories for applications:

1. Academic Innovation
2. Applied Research
3. College-wide Improvements

To learn more about the categories, as well as the application process and timeline, please visit the website or contact Jojo Delos Reyes at jdelosreyes@RRC.CA.

Please note: deadline has been extended to April 5, 2019.

The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has opened up applications for the next round of the Community Investment Program.

The application period is open until 2:00 p.m. on February 28, 2019. Grants are open to researchers at universities and colleges working on projects that contribute to building a better online Canada, as well as to non-profits and registered charities. Grants are available up to $100,000, with one grant available up to $250,000.

This year, CIRA is focused on the following key funding areas:

• Infrastructure: Developing connectivity services for regional, rural, remote and/or underserved communities
• Access: Providing individuals and communities with the ability to connect to the internet
• Digital Literacy: Enhancing Canadians’ knowledge and skills to use the internet effectively and safely
• Engagement: Research and knowledge-sharing activities that broaden public understanding and participation in Internet policy development and governance and cybersecurity
• Services: Building online apps and platforms that address social, economic and/or environmental needs

Visit the CIRA website for more information!

Application for the Faculty Mobility Program is now open for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Available through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP), the Faculty Mobility Program provides Canadian faculty from post-secondary institutions with short-term opportunities to teach or conduct research in eligible countries (CARICOM countries, Central America, Latin America, Mexico). It is available through the Government of Canada International Scholarships program.

The program aims to increase the number of institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between Canadian and foreign institutions eligible under ELAP. These agreements are created between colleges, technical or vocational institutions and universities in Canada, Latin Americas and the Caribbean.

The deadline to apply is February 19, 2019. Please visit the Faculty Mobility Program website for more information.