OCIP: The Northern, Rural, Women-led and Indigenous Innovation Voucher Program

Fostering innovation and collaboration between SMEs and academic institutions.

The Ontario Collaborative Innovation Platform (OCIP) simplifies access for small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario into the research and innovation ecosystem. OCIP connects businesses with academic researchers with expertise in their industries, making it easier for entrepreneurs to turn ideas into prototypes and solutions that can take their businesses to the next stage of growth.

The Innovation Voucher Program provides funding for entrepreneurs seeking research and collaboration with academic experts across Ontario. Eligible businesses will receive a $5000 in-kind voucher to supplement the cost of an academic consultation on their proposed research project. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet 1-1 with the academic matched to their proposal and receive key insight into the feasibility of their work.

Indigenous business owners using a computer to apply for the OCIP Innovation Voucher Program, supporting research and development partnerships in Ontario.

Indigenous business owners discussing innovation research collaboration opportunities through OCIP to drive business growth and community impact.

Bring value to your business through an OCIP Innovation Voucher

Innovation Translation: OCIP helps transform business innovation needs into practical, actionable solutions using insights from academic experts.
Reduced Research & Development (R&D) costs: OCIP provides businesses and organizations with a low-cost feasibility and scope assessment of their proposed development.
New Industry Partnerships: OCIP connects businesses with the right academic expert for their project at one of 53 Ontario Higher Education Institutes.
Funding Alignment: OCIP matches project objectives with suitable funding opportunities from a selection of over 400+ funding programs.

Eligibility

To participate in the Innovation Voucher Program, businesses must:

Have a valid Canada Revenue Agency business number*

Be from Northern, Rural, or Indigenous communities, or identify as a women-led business.

Submit an Innovation Challenge by January 31st, 2025

*Some Indigenous businesses may be eligible for exemption from this requirement

Portrait of an Indigenous business owner standing in front of a vibrant mural, representing community pride and participation in OCIP’s innovation programs.

Stages of the Program:

1. Application and Selection Process

Businesses create an OCIP account and confirm eligibility for the program.

Approved businesses get matched with an academic expert based on project requirements.

Businesses submit an Innovation Challenge (IC), which is a detailed project proposal issued by a business or organization, outlining the nature of the challenge they are currently facing. We use this information to connect the business with an academic expert who will develop a Scope of Work (SoW).

2. Collaboration

Once a business is matched with an academic expert, they work together to initiate the collaboration. This begins with an introductory meeting where both parties discuss the Innovation Challenge and explore how academic expertise can help solve the problem.

The academic expert develops a Scope of Work (SoW) based on the business’s needs and the challenge at hand. The SoW offers valuable insights from an academic expert on the resources needed to execute the entire project. Following the SoW’s completion, there is an opportunity for businesses to explore a detailed project partnership with an academic expert. This includes leveraging recommended facilities and funding programs to move the project forward. Learn more about the OCIP process on our ‘How it works’ page.

After the SoW is finalized, the business and academic expert can opt to continue the partnership by formalizing a detailed project plan. This may involve applying for additional funding, signing a collaboration agreement with the academic institution, using specialized research facilities, or continuing long-term collaboration to bring the project to completion.

How to Apply

Register your Business

Apply to the Innovation Voucher Program and take your business to the next stage of growth.

For questions, contact us at ocip@ecampusontario.ca.

Two People working on a collaborative research project

OCIP and eCampusOntario

OCIP is a product of eCampusOntario, a provincially-funded non-profit organization that supports Ontario’s higher education institutions. We support digital transformation and encourage innovation, collaboration and education partnerships to connect Ontario’s campuses to the future of learning and innovation. 

eCampusOntario is a not-for-profit centre of excellence and global leader in the evolution of teaching and learning through technology.

OCIP is made possible with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.