1. NRC-IRAP
Industrial Research Assistance Program
Presented by Craig Wardlaw, P.Eng.
Turning Brown into Green
Mar 3 2011

2. IRAP Quick Facts
• Program of the National Research Council, reporting to
Industry Canada
• >60 years in business, oldest funding program in the G8
• Approximately 250 Industrial Technology Advisors serving
more than 10,000 companies
• Normal annual funding budget of ~$85M nationally; ~$27M
for Ontario
• For 2009 and 2010 IRAP budget doubled as part of the
federal stimulus package
• For 2009 and 2010 IRAP received approx. $25M of
provincial stimulus funds
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3. What does IRAP do?
Supporting innovative Canadian SMEs grow
stronger, grow faster, grow bigger, through
technology
 Customized technical and business advisory
services to firms to support and enhance their
innovative R&D projects in S&T.
 Networking opportunities and linkages to many
other organizations to meet firms developmental
needs.
 Competitive Technical Intelligence (CTI).
 Financial assistance specifically towards
specialized labour costs and clients typically co-
invest at least 25% of the total project costs.
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4. What sort of financial support
do we give?
 Contributions to firms for R&D
projects
 Small projects for business
improvement or R&D (up to $50k
contribution)
 Contributions to organizations
(innovation collaborators)
 Youth Employment Program (YEP)
 Support labour costs only
 All funding is non-repayable
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5. IRAP supports all sectors of the
economy
Total Expenditures by Industry Sector in 2007-2008 ($ in Ms)
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6. Outlook for 2011/12
Fiscal Year
• Federal government has stated that stimulus funding is over
and no new spending will be approved
• IRAP has requested an increase in budget for projects but
given the above it seems unlikely that this will be approved
• Expect IRAP to have limited funds for 2011/12:
– smaller project amounts
– fewer project approvals
– funding likely to be allocated quickly once the fiscal year
begins
• Advisors will work harder on the “value-added” activities for
firms

7. Contact us
Craig Wardlaw (Oakville) 905-849-3796
Toll-free number: 1-877-994-4727
Web http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca