R & D Fund

The YCCIC Cold Climate Research and Development Fund is a grant available to organizations to pursue cold climate research and development in the Yukon with the ultimate goal of developing these projects into commercially viable projects. The fund exists to help finance the research and development of new and enhanced solutions to cold climate problems.

The R&D Fund can help firms offset some costs and risks related to applied research and commercialization. YCCIC is interested in working with firms that have R&D programs, or firms that face challenges presented by cold climates in the course of their work and need to develop new methods.

Fund objectives

• Help organizations pursue cutting-edge cold climate R&D projects with commercial potential;
• Encourage the development of new technologies that benefit the Yukon;
• Increase YCCIC’s visibility in cold climate applied research to attract the world’s
  top talent;and
• Build local capacity around cold climate applied research.

Examples of projects:

• Modify remote power systems to deal with low sun intensity, high cost of fuel, extreme cold;
• Manage tailings, effluent or other environmental concerns associated with unpredictable permafrost;
• Modify existing machinery to operate in the extreme cold.

Funding Limits

Currently YCCIC does not have a limit on how much an organization can apply for. During the 2008/2009 fiscal year, the YCCIC R&D Fund will grant a maximum of $319,000. The largest single grant awarded to an applicant to date was $150,000.

Application Process

1. Contact the YCCIC Early-Start Project Officer with the intention to apply.
2. Submit a basic project outline. This general project overview (maximum three pages) should include timing and costs.  The Early-Start Project Officer will evaluate the basic outline for eligibility and provide feedback to the applicant.
3. Submit a detailed project outline. This expanded outline contains more information about the applicant, project and budget, as well as how the project meets fund objectives. The YCCIC Early-Start Project Officer provides guidance through the creation of the detailed project outline. The completed outline is presented to the YCCIC Board.
4. YCCIC Board reviews the project outline and approves/rejects the request.

Eligibility

Project eligibility is similar to firms eligible for the Canada Revenue Agency’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentive, with a notable exception: Basic research is not eligible for the YCCIC R&D fund. Work that qualifies for the fund includes:

• experimental development to achieve technological advancement to create new materials, devices, products, or processes, or improve existing ones for cold climate applications;
• applied research to advance scientific knowledge with a specific practical application in view;
• early commercialization costs related to securing intellectual property rights; and
• support work in engineering, design, operations research, mathematical analysis, computer programming, data collection, testing, or psychological research, but only if the work is commensurate with, and directly supports, the eligible experimental development, or applied research.

Activities not eligible for YCCIC R&D funding:

• social science and humanities research;
• commercial production of a new or improved material, device, or product, or the commercial
• use of a new or improved process;
• style changes;
• market research or sales promotion;
• quality control or routine testing of materials, devices, products, or processes;
• basic research to advance scientific knowledge without a specific practical application in view;
• routine data collection;
• prospecting, exploring or drilling for or producing minerals, petroleum or natural gas; and
• development based solely on design or routine engineering practice. 

Some restrictions apply regarding compensation for direct and indirect costs, such as:

• opportunity costs;
• income taxes, fines, or costs related to the prosecution of claims against the government;
• land, buildings and facilities; and
• certain administration costs.

Reporting requirements will depend on the individual project and will include financial reports, communications reports and a final report.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects are evaluated on the following elements:

• Commercialization potential
• Science and innovation
• Benefit to the Yukon
• Partner contributions
• Project’s ability to increase YCCIC visibility in the field of cold climate applied research

Timing

YCCIC welcomes applications to the R&D fund at any time—there are no application deadlines. Where a project bridges the government fiscal year (April 1 to March 31), funding for project activities for the next fiscal year will be subject to the availability of funds. Please also note that funding availability is likely to be greater earlier in the fiscal year.

The YCCIC Early-Start Project Officer reviews the basic project outline and provides feedback to the applicant within five business days. The project officer works closely with the applicant to complete the detailed project outline, which is submitted to the YCCIC Board for review. Once your final detailed project outline has been submitted, please allow up to eight weeks for its evaluation. Applicants may be asked to revise or expand their proposal and resubmit it for review.

Confidentiality

YCCIC works with proponents to identify which aspects of projects can be communicated to the public, and all other information is considered confidential. Confidential information that is required to evaluate the project proposal and monitor progress is made available only to the YCCIC board and project officer.

R&D Fund Guidelines

Contact

For questions about the fund, please contact the YCCIC Director:

Chad P. Gubala Ph.D.
YCCIC Director
Yukon Cold Climate Innovation Centre

867.456.8670

 cgubala@yccic.ca