Alberta-Germany Collaboration Fund for Product Development and Commercialization

 

The Alberta-Germany Collaboration Fund for Product Development and Commercialization is a joint program established by Alberta Government`s Ministry of Innovation and Advanced Education and delivered by the German-Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research. In early 2015, the GCCIR recently closed its fourth official call for proposals for the Collaboration Fund on June 30th, 2015.

 

Goal

The overarching goal of this program is to help participants become more globally competitive by developing innovative technologies and research based alliances with the potential to foster international trade and economic growth. Further goals include:

  • Connecting industry players and researchers across multiple jurisdictions;
     
  • Development of new models of collaboration between Alberta and Germany that leverage key research & technology capabilities, address common priorities, and accelerate the commercialization of technology; and
     
  • Launching revolutionary product development and commercialization projects that aim to bring new products and services to market, and deliver economic benefits to citizens in both jurisdictions 
 

Who can apply? 

Albertan small and medium-sized enterprises (1 to 499 employees and less than $50 million in gross revenues, Source: Industry Canada, Statistics Canada) are welcome to apply to the Alberta-Germany Collaboration Fund for Product Development and Commercialization. German partners can be small or medium-sized enterprises, as well as larger companies or independent research institutions. However, please note that only a German SME is eligible to apply to our German funding partner ZIM ("Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand"). All proposals to the program must involve an industry partner from each jurisdiction with an interest in commercialization.


Project Selection Criteria

Previous calls have required projects to focus on one of the following areas of technology: Clean Energy and Environmental Technology; Advanced Materials (including Micro/Nanotechnology); Industrial Bio-Technology; Health; Information and Communication Technology. Future calls will be open to initiatives or projects focusing on developing innovative products, technology-based services, or methods in all technological and application areas, which have strong market potential. Eligible projects can be in any of the following stages: 

  • Applied research and development
     
  • Product development
     
  • Proof of concept 
     
  • Prototype development
     
  • Technology demonstration
     
 

Product Requirements and Scoring Considerations

  • Indicate clearly identified commercialization goals consistent with project objectives (how does the project address and provide economic benefits - qualitative and quantitative - for both Alberta and Germany)
     
  • Demonstrate expertise (management, technical, and operational) in the field of the project and purpose a strong joint team
     
  • Indicate the respective human expertise contribution(s) to the project
     
  • Leverage proven methodologies
     
  • Include a risk assessment complete with mitigation strategies
     
  • Provide realistic economic indicators (NPV, IRR suggested)
     
  • Demonstrate financial capacity and commitment to contributing the company's portion of the project funding
     
  • Clearly demonstrate development of long-term innovation capacity
     
  • Delineate the potential return on investment for all participants in the proposal
     
  • Identify how intellectual property will be managed
     
 

Project Evaluation

All applications to the Alberta-Germany Collaboration Fund for Product Development and Commercialization will be peer-reviewed by industry experts from different sectors. This leads to a ranking of the applications. The final decision making authority is a Steering Committee consisting of one industry member, one member of the Alberta Government, and one GCCIR Board Member.


Funding

At present the maximum project contribution by GCCIR is 250,000 CAD, which would be granted to the Albertan applicant. The funding can be split between different projects, if approved. The Alberta company is expected to match GCCIR funding through cash and in-kind contributions to the project. Funding for the German partner will come from ZIM, following their parallel application process. Should the German company be too large to apply to ZIM, then the requirement for their participation in the project will be to match the funding contributed by GCCIR. All funding sources must be disclosed.


Looking for German partners?

We organize a matchmaking trip to Germany for Albertan companies every year (usually in late fall). Please contact us for more information on the 2015 Matchmaking Trip.


Information Material

Press Release by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy with Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education

Frequently Asked Questions


Application Material

Before the call deadline all participants file one short common proposal in English language, legally signed by all partners participating in the project and a draft Cooperation Agreement (not yet signed) that regulates the terms of cooperation between all partners in English language. These two documents have to be submitted before the deadline electronically to g.nagel@aif-projekt-gmbh.de and info@gccir.ca.

GCCIR Application Form for Albertan SMEs

Albertan companies can send their GCCIR application in English electronically to info@gccir.ca. 

German partner companies can send their ZIM application in the project form “KF“ (with research organisation as partner) or “KU” (only companies as partners) in paper form to AiF Projekt GmbH. More detailed criteria can be found on the ZIM website.