Critical Technology Initiatives

Overview

Through the Critical Technology Initiatives (CTI), Ontario is working with not-for-profit organizations to further the development, commercialization and adoption of technology by Ontario companies in key sectors. This technology will increase productivity and encourage further innovation in Ontario. The program is focused around four pillars:

• infrastructure
• commercialization
• technology adoption
• talent

CTI funding provides support for programs led by not-for-profit organizations that will:

• accelerate the use of critical technology by Ontario companies in key sectors to improve productivity and support innovation
• enable the development, commercialization and demonstration of innovative made-in-Ontario critical technology solutions that address business needs and future market opportunities

CTI will support proposals that:

• Invest in the following technology domains:
  • 5G (including advanced networks)
  • artificial Intelligence
  • blockchain
  • cybersecurity
  • quantum
  • robotics
• Strengthen priority sectors including, but not limited to:
  • advanced manufacturing
  • automotive
  • life sciences
  • mining
  • agriculture
  • smart infrastructure

Who is eligible

Proposals are being sought through two funding streams described in detail below. Submissions through Stream 1 and Stream 2 must be from either:

• an Ontario or Canadian incorporated Not for Profit (NFP) organization
• a consortium of companies and NFPs participating as delivery partners under a lead Ontario or Canadian incorporated NFP organization (all consortium partners must have a presence in Ontario, with at least one of the partners being an Ontario headquartered company)

To be eligible, proposals submitted from Stream 1 and Stream 2 must propose initiatives that address three (3) or more of the following program pillars:

• infrastructure
• commercialization
• technology adoption
• talent

Who is not eligible

The following organizations are ineligible to act as lead organizations. However, they are eligible to be members of a consortium of delivery partners:

• post-secondary institutions (colleges, universities, hospitals)
• municipal or regional economic development agencies and/or corporations
• small business enterprise centres
• angel investor organizations
• start-up companies (less than three years of substantive operations)
• government enterprises
• retail services
• professional services
• personal services

Funding support

Funding amount

Up to 50% of eligible project costs. Matching funding must clearly detail non-provincial funding as either cash contributions, in-kind contributions or other government funding. Funding will be for a single recipient but may include multiple delivery partners.

Two streams of funding are available, depending on the lead organization’s capabilities and the amount requested.

Stream 1

The lead organization must demonstrate “technology expertise and leadership” in the related technology domain and proposals must be seeking provincial funding between $5M to $30M.

Stream 2

Lead organizations must demonstrate the ability to act as “central coordinating leadership and facilitation role” and proposals must be seeking provincial funding between $5M and $60M.

Restrictions

Applicants are not allowed to combine (or “stack”) CTI funding with other provincial government programs.

Application period

The application period closed on April 24, 2023.

Who to contact

Submit your questions to criticaltechinitiatives@ontario.ca.