Canada-Japan partnership development program with Japanese multinational enterprises – Fall 2022

1. Introduction

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) in partnership with Japan's Keihanna Science City are pleased to invite Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in a collaborative proof of concept (PoC) implementation plan with Japanese corporations such as Shimadzu Corporation, Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd., TOYO Corporation, among others.

Successful applicants that can develop an innovative solution to the challenges below with Japanese partners may be eligible to receive NRC IRAP funding support to execute the project.

2. Application deadlines

• Canadian registration deadline: December 5, 2022
• Canadian expression of interest deadline: December 9, 2022
• Start collaborative proof of concept (PoC) implementation plan: January 2023

3. Sectors of focus

Agriculture

• Frost mitigation: Systems to predict frost occurrence, including use of biostimulants/nutrients
• Alternatives to chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Solutions to declining farm labor population, i.e. systems to increase yield and reduce labor needs
• AR/VR systems for agricultural training for harvesting and other farm hand activity
• Crop loss mitigation innovations, including food waste re-use through biotechnology strategies

Automation

• Software in smart warehouse operation and robotics in warehouse operations (warehouse executing system)
• Robotics simulation software
• Filter technology that can be used at high temperatures to separate foreign substances from CO2

Healthcare

• Applying sound technology to healthcare and well-being
• Analytical techniques and instruments in the biotechnology field, specifically in single-cell genomics
• Microfluidic chip manufacturing technology
• Mental health analysis based on biometric data, facial expressions, brain waves, etc. to identify effects of relaxation or stress

Drones

• Measurement techniques and test simulation software in the development of drones

Please consult the KOSAINN+ Challenges Japanese Companies 2022 for more information on the challenges and innovation requested.

4. Canadian eligibility requirements

In order to participate in this initiative, Canadian participants must meet the following requirements:

• be an incorporated, profit‑oriented small or medium‑sized business in Canada;
• have 500 or fewer full‑time equivalent employees;
• pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology‑driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada;
• have a differentiated and protectable technology that could become competitive in global markets; and
• be committed to significant growth through Japanese market expansion.

Preference may be given to SME applicants who:

• have a minimum of 10 full‑time equivalent employees;
• have commercialized 1 or more products domestically or internationally;
• have greater than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue; and
• have experience in the Japanese market.

Note: Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through this call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming a client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727.

5. Funding

Firms with successful partnership development may receive up to 50% reimbursement of eligible activity costs up to a maximum total NRC IRAP funding amount of $75,000. All selected projects must start in January 2023.

6. Application process

The application process has 4 phases:

1. Registration
2. Expression of interest (EOI)
3. Collaborative proof of concept (PoC) implementation plan development
4. NRC IRAP proposal and funding agreement

Step 1: Registration

Each Canadian applicant must register using the Register button at the end of this page. Basic information about the applicant and the organization will be required upon registration.

NRC IRAP will review registrations for this call for proposals and contact applicants if more information is required. Qualifying applicants will proceed to the next phase and be invited to submit an expression of interest form.

Step 2: Expression of interest phase

During this phase, each Canadian applicant seeking funding must submit an expression of interest (EOI) form outlining basic information on the applicant, the proposed solution, and how the solution addresses one of the areas of interest/challenges.

While completing the EOI form, each Canadian applicant is encouraged to contact their NRC IRAP representative to discuss their project idea and receive guidance on preparing their submission.

It is recommended that applicants submit the EOI as early as possible. EOIs will be evaluated by the applicant's NRC IRAP representative, the NRC IRAP International Office and Japan's Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR).

Only qualifying applicants will be introduced to Japanese MNEs and invited to submit a collaborative proof of concept implementation plan.

Step 3: Collaborative proof of concept (PoC) implementation plan phase

During this phase, the Canadian applicants and Japanese MNEs will work together to complete and submit the PoC implementation plan.

The Canadian project implementation plan package consists of a joint application form outlining the:

• collaborative project;
• expected outcomes;
• funding request;
• roles and responsibilities of each consortium member;
• project management framework; and
• acknowledgment of partner alignment on IP management.

PoC implementation plans will be shared between NRC IRAP and ATR to jointly select the collaborative projects that will be invited to proceed to the funding agreement phase.

Step 4: Funding agreement phase

During this phase, Canadian applicants will work with their NRC IRAP representative to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal and contribution agreement.

In addition, the Japanese MNE will provide in-kind resources to the Canadian applicants, such as:

• access to unique facilities in real-field-conditions for innovation testing;
• use of internal services, expertise, knowledge, data-sets or equipment;
• expertise and consulting to co-develop the innovation;
• regulatory and legal guidance to ensure compliance in Japan and Internationally; and
• assistance in co-commercialization of product with relevant local business partners.

7. Contacts

For more information, contact the NRC IRAP International Office at IRAP.International.PARI@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or Harvey Lam, NRC IRAP Japan National Program Coordinator at Harvey.Lam@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

8. Registration

Canadian SME participants must be registered NRC IRAP clients. If not already an NRC IRAP client, Canadian SMEs must contact 1-877-994-4727 to determine if they might be eligible for support through NRC IRAP.

To begin the application process, interested Canadian participants must first register online to receive an Expression of Interest form by clicking the register button.

If there is no register button visible below this line, it means the call for proposals has closed.