Technology Access Centre grants

Technology Access Centres (TACs) are specialized centres of expertise intended to provide timely innovation support to a college's community organizations from the private, public, health care or not-for-profit sectors. TACs provide capabilities that serve their community organizations' applied research and innovation needs. These capabilities may include advice on specific organizational challenges, applied research and/or development projects, or specialized services and training. These centres address innovation challenges by enabling the community organizations to take advantage of the college's expertise, technology and equipment, leading to beneficial business, social and/or health outcomes for Canada. TAC grants provide funding for the core operations of TACs. TACs can also apply for other sources of funding to address more long-term and risky applied research projects. All TACs must have non-grant sources of revenue, typically client fees for innovation support and research services offered on a fee-for-service or cost-recovery basis. For colleges and CEGEPs in Quebec, given the substantial network of centres that support local/regional innovation, proposals are limited to a maximum of $100,000 per year. Colleges that have fewer than three technology access centres and wish to launch a new TAC in a different applied research area may apply for an additional TAC grant. Colleges must clearly demonstrate that the targeted applied research area is distinct from previously awarded TAC grants and that the new TAC will add significant value to the region's innovation capacity. The application must show that the new TAC will draw on different applied research disciplines, require different expertise and facilities, and support a different and significant client sector from existing TACs.