Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF)
The Industrial Research and Innovation Fund (IRIF) focuses on building research and development (R&D) capacity in Newfoundland and Labrador’s post-secondary institutions and other not-for-profit research facilities. IRIF is designed to improve the province's ability to develop, attract and retain highly qualified researchers and to serve as a catalyst in promoting collaborativeR&D among academia and all industry stakeholders. Priority areas for funding include: energy, ocean technology, health and life sciences, marine science, advanced manufacturing, ICT, aerospace and defense, and value-added natural resource industries (aquaculture, mineral processing and others).
There are three programme elements: LeverageR&D, IgniteR&D, and CollaborativeR&D.
The LeverageR&D program element will leverage incremental R&D investments from regional, national, and international sources by matching financial contributions from all public or private sources. Incremental operating and infrastructure costs are eligible for up to $500,000 where there is no private sector partner and up to $800,000 where there is a private sector partner that contributes at least 25 percent of total eligible costs.
The IgniteR&D program element supports new capacity in R&D, innovation, and commercialization in areas relevant to both industry and the provincial economy by funding new researchers. IgniteR&D provides up to 100 percent of total eligible costs, up to $100,000, including financial support for developing research talent, initial operating funds, equipment, or laboratory renovations required to establish a research lab for a new researcher.
The CollaborativeR&D program element will help build R&D capacity in priority areas, as well as foster local, national, and international R&D collaboration among academic researchers and industry. CollaborativeR&D will be delivered through targeted initiatives in areas of priority, or through strategic initiatives with other R&D funding organizations. Priority areas include dedicated researchers and resources to manage client relationships in relevant R&D focus areas; researcher-led proof of concept; international researcher exchanges; industry-embedded researchers; joint calls or proposals for collaborativeR&D; seed funding for new industry-academic collaborative projects; co-funded Industrial Research Chairs; and targeted research awards. Specific criteria will be outlined as calls for proposals are planned.
