Per our recent newsletter, we are pleased to announce OCTIA’s Fostering Circularity funding program supported by NRC-IRAP!

The objective of this initiative, Fostering Circularity and Net-Zero in the Plastics, Construction Materials and Innovative Battery Sectors, is to assist Ontario based cleantech small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) by improving their competitiveness through the creation/improvement/verification of products, processes or market intelligence. This will be achieved by helping them gain access to Canadian service providers with the appropriate business or technology expertise. Examples of potentially eligible projects include:
– Product proof of concept, testing or validation
– Process development or improvement
– Market studies, focus groups, IP landscape review
This wide range of commercial and technical assistance will accelerate the SME’s growth and increase their odds of commercial success.

The goal is to complete as many projects with the budget by March 15, 2026. Each project can have a maximum total cost of up to $25,000 of labour, not including taxes.

The applicant firm, however, must however meet IRAP eligibility criteria and be an existing IRAP client or can become a new client. If already an IRAP client, the SME’s IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) determines firm eligibility and helps determine project suitability. SMEs may already have a service provider or can work with their ITA or OCTIA to identify a suitable one. Click here to complete the form.