Industrial Research Assistance Program

Industrial Research Assistance Program
Peregrine981 (talk) 13:16, 6 May 2014 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program
Native name	NRC IRAP
Formation	1947
Type	Federal research assistance program
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Parent organization	National Research Council (Canada)
Region served	Canada

Contents

Industrial Research Assistance Program

The Industrial Research Assistance Program is a Canadian innovation assistance initiative administered by the National Research Council (Canada), providing advisory services, funding, and technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises. Established in the mid-20th century, the program connects firms with research institutions, accelerators, and investors across provinces like Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. IRAP engages with stakeholders including Mitacs, Communitech, MaRS Discovery District, Invest Ottawa, and Business Development Bank of Canada to support commercialization and scale-up.

Overview

IRAP delivers targeted contributions, advisory services, and programs aimed at fostering industrial research and development within Canadian SMEs. Its operations intersect with institutions such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, and research organizations like Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Collaborations extend to agencies and initiatives including Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Genome Canada, Mitacs, Export Development Canada, and regional innovation hubs like Northwest Territories Innovation Centre and Québec Innove.

IRAP traces lineage to post-World War II industrial science efforts coordinated by the National Research Council (Canada) and predecessors associated with figures linked to institutions such as Alexander Graham Bell Laboratory and wartime research units. Over decades IRAP adapted to shifts caused by policy instruments like the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program and events such as the establishment of the Canada Research Chairs Program. The program's evolution involved partnerships with provincial agencies including Ontario Centres of Excellence, Innovate BC, and federal initiatives like Strategic Innovation Fund. Milestones correspond with national reports such as those produced by the Council of Canadian Academies and reviews linked to ministers from cabinets led by Prime Ministers including Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Jean Chrétien, and Justin Trudeau.

IRAP administers financial support mechanisms similar to those offered by organizations such as Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Canada Foundation for Innovation. Services include advisory matchmaking akin to MaRS Discovery District programming, technology scouting parallel to Mitacs internships, and commercialization coaching reminiscent of Rise of Startup accelerators associated with Techstars and Y Combinator alumni networks in Canada. It manages sectoral initiatives touching on cleantech linked to Pembina Institute stakeholders, life sciences related to Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and digital technologies associated with AI4Good collaborations with researchers from Vector Institute and Mila (research institute).

Eligible recipients are primarily small and medium-sized enterprises incorporated in provinces and territories such as Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. The application process involves proposals evaluated by IRAP Industrial Technology Advisors working with partners like local innovation centres and accelerators including Futurpreneur Canada and Launch Lab. Assessment criteria reference standards and frameworks similar to those used by Standards Council of Canada and compliance expectations informed by legislation including the Financial Administration Act. Applicants often engage with procurement or export supports from Export Development Canada and investment readiness programs linked to Business Development Bank of Canada.

IRAP funding takes the form of contributions, non-repayable assistance, and advisory in-kind support that complement tax incentives such as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program. The economic impact is documented in studies by agencies like the Conference Board of Canada, analyses by Statistics Canada, and reports from regional development agencies such as Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Prairie Research Institutes. Beneficiary firms span sectors represented by trade associations including Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canadian Renewable Energy Association, Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance, and health-sector networks like Canadian Medical Association.

IRAP has faced scrutiny concerning allocation transparency, regional equity, and comparisons with funding models from entities such as Natural Resources Canada and private venture capital firms including OMERS Ventures and Real Ventures. Debates have referenced audits and reports by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and commentary from think tanks like the Fraser Institute and Institute for Research on Public Policy. Critiques involve perceived bias toward certain sectors represented by organizations such as NRC's institutes, the balance between grant and equity-like support versus tax incentives, and challenges highlighted in parliamentary reviews involving ministers and committees such as the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology.

Category:Canadian federal programs