New program will strengthen economy by bringing promising technology to market
For immediate release
September 14, 2010
London, Ontario — Businesses, post-secondary institutions and industry in southern Ontario will benefit from a new program to accelerate the development of large-scale, advanced technology projects with commercial potential. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), joined by Ed Holder, Member of Parliament for London West, launched the new Technology Development Program today at an event at the Robarts Research Institute at The University of Western Ontario.
"Our government's new Technology Development Program will create jobs and promote economic growth in southern Ontario," said Minister Goodyear. "This program will create partnerships between businesses, colleges, universities and community organizations to bring promising new technologies to market more quickly."
The Technology Development Program will provide up to $75 million over four years to encourage research and private sector organizations, post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations to work together to advance new and emerging technologies that have the potential to significantly expand the economy of southern Ontario.
"Canadian universities are doing research that is changing our world," said Ted Hewitt, Vice-President, Research & International Relations at Western. "By working in partnership with industry and other organizations, we can sharpen competitiveness and develop solutions more effectively and faster."
The program is a direct result of feedback from business leaders, academics and community leaders from across southern Ontario, who suggested FedDev Ontario take a leadership role in helping to bridge the gap between research and development and commercialization.
"This new program will offer great opportunities for businesses here in London and across southern Ontario," said MP Holder. "It builds on investments our government has made through the Economic Action Plan, such as the new cargo terminal at the London Airport. Our government again is investing in jobs and growth for families and businesses in London and throughout the region."
FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its second year of operation, the Agency is launching a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to support businesses and other organizations through partnerships and investments in skills and training; innovation; research and development; and increased productivity. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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For media enquiries:
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-943-7599
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
519-571-6879
Backgrounder
Technology Development Program
The Technology Development Program will strengthen and diversify southern Ontario's economy by providing financial support to bring game-changing technology to market faster.
FedDev Ontario is seeking projects that will significantly contribute to the development of globally-competitive, market-ready technologies with the potential to develop new business opportunities or benefits for an industry, sector or region.
The program addresses the gap between business-driven research and development and commercialization by encouraging the private and public sectors to collaborate on innovative, breakthrough technologies that are one to seven years from market.
Not-for-profit organizations (such as innovation and commercialization organizations) and post-secondary institutions will be eligible to receive funding. Eligible applicants must have matching private sector or other non-government financial support and may apply for contributions of up to $20 million over a four- year period.
Eligible project activities include:
- Product and process applied research;
- Engineering design;
- Technology acceleration;
- Product testing;
- Certification;
- Marketing studies;
- Proof of concept;
- Piloting and demonstration;
- Problem solving;
- Clinical trials;
- Pre-commercialization activities; and
- Commercialization of intellectual property.
Applications will be accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis and applicants will be notified as their projects are approved. All project activities must be completed prior to March 31, 2014.
For more information, please refer to the Program Guidelines available on the web site at www.feddevontario.gc.ca. | 
