Canadian Photonics Integrated Circuits Partnering Mission to Eindhoven, Netherlands – November 6-10, 2023

The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is pleased to invite Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to submit an Expression of Interest to join the PIC Summit Europe partnering mission to Eindhoven, the Netherlands, which will take place from November 6 to 10, 2023.

1. Mission objective

This mission is focused on establishing industrial co-innovation opportunities between Canadian and foreign organizations with the aim of participants partnering in collaborative R&D projects under EUREKA's Xecs Cluster.

2. Sectors of focus

Electronics and photonics

3. Key dates

Deadline to register: September 26, 2023

Expression of Interest form submission deadline: October 3, 2023

Notification of results: October 10, 2023

4. Canadian delegation profile

Canadian SME participants should meet the requirements below in order to be part of this initiative:

• be an incorporated, profit-oriented SME 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
• have sufficient working capital and human resources to undertake a multi-year research and development collaboration and commercialize the results
• be committed to significant growth through international market expansion.

Preference may be given to SMEs who:

• have a minimum of 15 full-time equivalent employees
• have at least $500,000 in annual revenue
• have commercialized 1 or more products domestically or internationally

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

5. Mission description

The PIC Summit Europe is the largest event in Europe's photonic chip industry. Over 300 participants from over 20 countries are expected to attend this event.

In addition to participating in the PIC Summit event from November 7 and 8, the Canadian mission program will include an orientation day on November 6. An outreach program to visit innovative companies and research organizations in and around Eindhoven, may be organized by NRC IRAP in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada's Trade Commissioner Service for November 9 and 10.

This partnering mission provides organizations the opportunity to:

• present and learn about project ideas during project idea pitch sessions
• discuss and work on project ideas that could be submitted to the upcoming Xecs call for projects
• meet companies and potential partners from all over Europe and beyond

6. Background information

Xecs is a cluster under the Eureka Clusters Programme. This cluster is managed by the AENEAS Industry Association, with strategic focus provided by AENEAS and its partners Inside and EPoSS. For more information, see the ECS Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. AENEAS is supported by key industry players including:

Xecs is a transnational and industry‑driven research, development and innovation program that enables a global and knowledgeable community of large industries, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start‑ups, academia and customer organizations to collaborate on funded projects that turn innovative ideas into new business, jobs, economic growth and benefits for society.

Xecs provides networking tools and organises ECS community events where participants can generate and present project ideas, build consortia, and find projects.

7. Financial support

Project funding through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) will only be available to eligible Canadian SMEs. Other organizations will need to secure funding from other sources or self-fund.

Canadian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) selected by NRC IRAP for participation in this mission will be invited to apply for up to $3,000 for reimbursement of 75% of travel and accommodations costs associated with the mission. Selected participants will be sent instructions and information about this support.

8. Contact information

For more information, contact the NRC IRAP International Office at IRAP.International.PARI@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or Kasturi Narayanan, National Program Lead for NRC IRAP at Kasturi.Narayanan@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

9. How to apply

Step 1. Interested candidates for this partnering mission must first register with NRC IRAP by clicking the register button below.

Step 2. An Expression of Interest form will be provided to potentially eligible applicants. The Expression of Interest application form will request additional information about the applicant, organization, technology and co-innovation opportunities of interest.

Step 3. All participants will also need to purchase their ticket for the PIC Summit Europe event directly. The participation fee will vary depending when the ticket is purchased. This fee is not included in the NRC IRAP financial support.

10. Registration

If there is no Register button visible below this line, it means that registration for this partnering mission has closed.