Lab2Market Validate – Fall 2024 Cohort
*Please contact Walter Chan if you are interested in applying
Description:
NSERC is partnering with the Lab2Market program to offer research teams the chance to learn how to assess their technology’s commercial potential. The Lab2Market Validate program consists of a 16-week full-time commitment taking participants through the process of unlocking the business potential of a research idea – meeting customers, building a network, and most importantly, developing entrepreneurial grit. Participants will conduct stakeholder interviews and produce a market assessment report to determine the appropriate path forward for their technology.
NSERC will provide support in the form of a non-renewable $20,000 I2I Market Assessment grant, of which $5,000 will be paid to Lab2Market consultants, $10,000 will be paid to the Entrepreneurial Lead (student/postdoc) as a stipend, and $5,000 will be paid to the principal investigator for program-related expenses (e.g., travel, mentoring, consultation, etc.).
*Special requirements for this program*
- The project must be eligible for NSERC funding
Intellectual Property (IP) must be assigned to the University
Eligibility - Subject Matter:
Applicants must apply in teams consisting of the following members:
- Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) - A full-time graduate (Masters or PhD) student, postdoctoral fellow within five years of having finished their graduate degree, or research assistant. The EL is expected to work on the project full-time (20-40 hours/week) over the duration of the program, representing the team in all training sessions and leading all activities and deliverables. Please note, undergraduate students are also eligible if they have been involved in the generation of the project's intellectual property.
- Technical Lead (TL) - The principal investigator of the research project. The TL is expected to participate in select training sessions and assist the EL throughout the program. The TL must be NSERC eligible.
Additional Information:
NSERC is pleased to announce the launch of several improvements to its Alliance grants program. This update is in response to feedback received and builds on NSERC’s experience with the program over the last four years. Alliance grants were launched in 2019 to encourage university researchers to collaborate with partner organizations from the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. By partnering with organizations that can use their work, researchers can turn their discoveries into impact.
In 2022–23, NSERC evaluated the program through surveys, consultations and interviews with stakeholders. The perspective of the community, along with NSERC’s experience to date, shaped the changes described below.
These changes aim to make the Alliance grants program even more simple, flexible, modernized and responsive. They will help to:
- remove barriers to collaboration
- champion more research partnerships
- provide efficient and responsive proposal assessment
- strengthen relationships with the research community
- ensure inclusive research support
Important Dates:
Mandatory internal deadline: May 7, 2024 – Complete L2M application with assistance from Walter Chan – it is mandatory to discuss your application with Walter Chan and receive a written letter of support from ORS in order to apply
Lab2Market application deadline: May 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
L2M team interviews (by invitation only): May 27 to 31, 2024
NSERC I2I Market Assessment application deadline (by invitation only): June 25, 2024 at 8 p.m. (upload to NSERC portal for mandatory administrative review by June 18, 2024)
Value:
$20,000 ($10K to the Entrepreneurial Lead as a stipend; $5K to the Technical Lead for program-related expenses; $5K to L2M consultants)
Duration:
September – December 2024
Internal requirements:
If your project is funded, the following requirements must be met before a research account is opened:
- Invention Disclosure form – Per the Ontario Tech Intellectual Property Policy, L2M applicants must disclose to the University the intellectual property they wish to commercialize. You can find a copy of the IP disclosure form at the bottom of the page here.
IP Assignment to University – To comply with the I2I program requirement for ORS to manage the IP, which includes IP protection, market promotion, etc., IP rights shall be assigned to the University.
How to Apply:
- Contact Walter Chan, walter.chan@ontariotechu.ca by May 7, 2024 to confirm eligibility and discuss internal requirements
- Student or Postdoc lead submits online application form to L2M by May 14, 2024. Do not submit until content has been approved by Walter Chan
- Selected applicants will be invited for interview; please contact Walter Chan once invitation is received
- Successful applicants will be invited to apply for the NSERC I2I Market Assessment grant
- Principal investigator will work with Walter Chan to complete a NSERC I2I Market Assessment proposal via the NSERC online system. Draft to be completed by June 18, 2024 for submission by June 25, 2024. The application includes:
- Form 101 – L2M will provide you with a PDF document to upload into the proposal section; do not complete the proposal according to the standard I2I instructions
- Form 100
Information Session:
Times: April 8, 5 p.m.; April 24, 5 p.m.; May 9, noon.
Please register in advance.
ILO representative:
Walter Chan, IP Officer, ORS, walter.chan@ontariotechu.ca
