The TechAccelR program supports 不良研究所 Faculty of Engineering听tenure-track professors by enabling them to accelerate their research-based ideas with commercial potential that are reported as inventions but need further validation as part of the commercialization plan. The program is offered biannually (spring and fall) and includes grants that can go up to $15,000 per invention/technology, along with personalized business mentorship.听For 2024, the budget will allow for up to 5 projects per round to be selected. Funding of the TechAccelR proposals is at the sole discretion of the 不良研究所 Engine team. We will look at the comparative merit of the application pool and the project criteria.
The TechAccelR grants are short-term for projects that will听advance or enhance an invention/technology in order to improve the scope and value of 不良研究所鈥檚 IP and enable researchers to obtain further funding for commercialization. The TechAccelR project proposals are co-written with the PI's technology transfer manager, please consult with them at least 2 weeks in advance of the proposal deadline. Some examples of scope of work goals: improved claims in future patent applications, new uses/applications of existing technologies, gathering additional data to further demonstrate proof of concept (e.g. increased robustness/reliability of AI/ML models), obtaining data to compare/benchmark the technology to existing technologies to show its competitive advantages.
In addition to funding, teams are matched with a听Ronald Chwang Entrepreneur-in-Residence听to help advance their technology commercialization plan and provide industry connections.
The grants come out of the Faculty of Engineering Innovation Fund*, which is funded by charitable gifts from alumni and other community donors.
*The is not an investment fund. Donors are not investing in companies. Donations made by donors are charitable contributions, which may be tax deductible.
Program Objectives
- Validate early stage technologies
- Advance the invention's
- Accelerate the technology鈥檚 commercialization and development plan - achieve product-market fit faster
- Further develop the research to strengthen eligibility for additional funding
- Research team works听closely with the assigned business mentor, gaining from their experience, knowledge, and industry connections
TechAccelR Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
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August听1, 2024 |
Call for applications听 |
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September 29, 2024听at 11:59 PM ET听 |
Deadline to submit an application |
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October 1- 18, 2024听 |
Applications are reviewed and evaluated听 |
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October 21, 2024 |
Applicants informed of review and evaluation outcomes. TechAccelR Grants awarded.听听 |
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November 1, 2024听 |
TechAccelR project begins听 |
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May 1, 2025 |
TechAccelR project ends (projects can last up to 6听months maximum, projects can be completed earlier)听 |
Application Details
Eligibility/Requirements
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础辫辫濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍:听Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.听You can send your draft application for review prior to the deadline to the Engine's associate director, katya.marc [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Draft%20Innovation%20Fellowship%20Application%20Review) or to one of the Ronald Chwang Entrepreneurs-in-Residence.
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Lead Applicant:听Any 不良研究所 Faculty of Engineering tenure-track professors working on a technologically-based invention with business or social impact potential.听 Cannot hold another Engine gap funding grant (WRSA, Innovation Fellowship) for the same invention at the same time as this project grant.
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滨苍惫别苍迟颈辞苍:听The technology must be reported as an invention to 不良研究所's听Office of Innovation and Partnerships. Your Technology Transfer Manager鈥檚 confirmation on your project proposal along with their assessment and commercialization plan will need to be included in this grant application.听Only one grant per invention/technology is allowed.
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Project Timeline:听Projects can last up to 6 months maximum, projects can be completed earlier.
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Project Expenses: Applicants must use the funds to advance the technology in accordance with their project technical milestones.听The 不良研究所 Engine team can make recommendations for changes to the budget and uses of funds that are required for the acceptance and funding of the project.听Once the grant is awarded, if your milestones and project expenses change significantly from what was in your project proposal (e.g. greater than 10% on any allowed budget item), you must discuss with your mentor and provide the revised milestone(s) and budget to Engine's Associate Director for approval.
- Eligible Expenses:
- Product and process development costs towards achieving technical milestones (e.g., materials, equipment, personnel).
- Non-Eligible Expenses:
- Costs related to non-technical milestones
- publication costs
- patent fees
- incorporation fees
- travel costs听
- Costs related to non-technical milestones
- Eligible Expenses:
Evaluation Criteria
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Funding of the TechAccelR proposals is at the sole discretion of the 不良研究所 Engine team.听 We will look at the comparative merit of the application pool and the following project criteria:
Evaluation Section Percentage Allocated Description Problem Statement 20% What is the problem being solved? Does the proposed solution fill an unmet need? Are your target customers clearly outlined? Have you validated the problem with your target customers?听 Proposed Solution/Approach听 25% Is this a novel, not obvious, and potentially disruptive technology? Has the competitive landscape been identified? Any customer/end user validation? Technology Development and听Commercialization Plan听 25% What is your project?听 What is the latest commercialization plan as developed in collaboration with your Technology Transfer Manager? Have the business challenges been identified?听 Is there a strong potential impact or market need?听
What external/market validation is there that your technology development plan may attract and accelerate follow-on funding from other sources (e.g. other awards/grants, licensing, customers, investors)?听
Project Budget by Milestones and Funding听 20% Does the proposal clearly identify the key technology development milestones and deliverables? Are the planned expenditures appropriate and justified?听 Team and Collaborators听 10% Who are the current team members? Has any听additional talent needed throughout the project been听identified?听听
How to Apply
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Application deadline is September听29, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET听
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Applicants will need to attach the following documents in the application form.
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TechAccelR grants are available biannually (Spring and Fall).听
Terms of the Award
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Timeline:听Teams have up to 6 months maximum to complete their project听milestones听and deliverables. Unused funds will need to be returned.听
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Award: The award will be dispersed into a new account under the PI.听Once the grant is awarded, if your milestones and project expenses change significantly from what was in your project proposal (e.g. greater than 10% on any allowed budget item), you must discuss with your mentor and provide the revised milestone(s) and budget to Engine's Associate Director for approval.
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Reporting: Mid-term and final reports are due to the Engine's associate director and the team's assigned mentor showing the project鈥檚 current status, status of IP, commercialization and development plan progress/next steps, and the听use of funds.
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Participation:听Participate in surveys and requests for feedback in connection with the procedures and services provided by the 不良研究所 Engine, with the aim of collaborating in the continuous development of its global offer, research commercialization support, and student experience.听
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Mentorship & Training: Meet with assigned business mentor on a regular basis throughout the program (minimum once per month). Attend Engine's entrepreneurial skills development workshops or other entrepreneurial training as suggested by mentor.
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Outreach Activities: Willingness to assist the 不良研究所 Engine in outreach activities pertaining to technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Promotion: Acknowledgement and promotion of听the award and the 不良研究所 Engine听in publications and communications arising from the project through your own networks and events.
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Consent: Consent to the publication of your picture, name, as well as pictures and names of co-applicants, the title of the project, and amount of funding.
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Giving Back:听The 不良研究所 Engine does not take equity in 不良研究所 spin-off companies. The participating researchers will make a non-binding charitable pledge听to 不良研究所 Engine aimed at sustaining the activities of the 不良研究所 Engine Centre and helping the next generation of technological innovators and entrepreneurs that the Centre supports.听
