Funding Opportunities

Applied Research and Development grants support research and development projects led by Seneca Polytechnic researchers in partnership with private, public or non-profit organizations, while encouraging collaboration with universities and/or other colleges.

Up to $150,000 per year is available, for up to three years. Smaller grants of up to $40,000 are also available and have shorter applications and require less review time.

Partner organizations must contribute 25 per cent of the total grant amount awarded in cash.

Learn more about Applied Research and Development grants 

Develop opportunities for social innovation by connecting Seneca Polytechnic expertise with local community organizations and businesses. Education, integration of vulnerable populations and community development are fundable social innovation topics.

Up to $120,000 per year is available, for up to three years.

In-kind contribution required. Non-profit partners can request a salary research allowance from the grant.

Learn more about the College and Community Social Innovation Fund

*CCSIF applications are due in March each year.

Idea to Innovation (I2I) grants are intended to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the college and/or university sector and to promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company.

These are best suited for projects partnered with university faculty who are developing a novel technology.

Up to $125,000 of funding is available in phase one (1 year); the reduction-to-practice phase is designed to advance promising technologies in order to attract early stage investment and/or to build valuable intellectual property. Up to $350,000 is available in phase two (up to two years) for technology enhancement.

Up to $125,000 of funding is available in phase one (1 year); the reduction-to-practice phase is designed to advance promising technologies in order to attract early stage investment and/or to build valuable intellectual property. Up to $350,000 is available in phase two (up to two years) for technology enhancement.

Learn more about the I2I grant program

This program supports collaboration between academia and industry to solve an industry-based problem and drive the commercialization of intellectual property. The institution will streamline internal innovations and commercialization needs. This will result in targeted training of individuals and direct engagement with industry.

Up to 50% of eligible project costs ($150,000 of funding maximum, up to two years) will be matched by OCI.

The research partner will be at a publicly funded university or college or research hospital and will provide skills and infrastructure.

The industry partner will be a for profit company, incorporated in Ontario for a minimum of two years with at least five full-time equivalent employees, operations and/or R&D in the province with the capacity to commercialize results of the project. The industry partner will provide/match 1:1 of funds contributed by OCI  in cash (e.g., $200,000 project cost – OCI contributes $100,000, partner organization matches with a contribution of $100,000).

Learn more about the C2C Program

Paid student internship program providing opportunities for students to apply their skills to develop strategic analyses that help business restore business operations.

A $5,000 grant per four-month internship is available.

$5,000 cash per four-month internship

Learn more about Business Strategy Internships

Paid student internship organized by Seneca Polytechnic and an industry partner. Funds collaborative projects with faculty and students for the benefit of industry partners. Interns are expected to spend a portion of their time at the company site.

A $7,500 grant per four-month internship is available and scalable to multiple internships.

A $7,500 cash contribution per four-month internship.

Learn more about Accelerate

Supports emerging social innovation applied research activities at Seneca Polytechnic. It’s designed to strengthen networks among students, faculty, staff and external partners.

A $15,000 grant for up to one year is available.

In-kind contributions for all cases; for-profit businesses must also make a $1,500 cash contribution.

SIRF is an institution-wide, internally funded and administered initiative that supports emerging social innovation applied research activities at Seneca Polytechnic. It aligns with Seneca Polytechnic's strategic priorities and academic plan.

Through SIRF, a modest amount of funding is available to pursue applied research initiatives in partnership with an external partner, which address social innovation challenges and provides experiential learning opportunities for student researchers. All projects must clearly demonstrate the importance of the research to the external partner, the value to student researchers and the ability to create positive social and/or health outcomes for society.

For additional information on the Seneca SIRF, please contact any member of the Seneca Applied Research team or email research@senecapolytechnic.ca.

*Applications for SIRF are currently closed