Western Innovation Fund

The Western Innovation Fund awards are supported by the the Vice-President (Research) and are intended to fund  projects that will advance innovative research results towards application and commercialization. This competition is for one-time projects based on existing research initiatives. Applicants can only receive one grant per type of project or technology. WORLDiscoveries personnel are available for consultation on issues related to intellectual property and commercialization.

Projects are expected to be of short duration (6-12 months). Up to $100,000 in funding is available and is repayable only if there is a positive commercial outcome. The submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) is required before a full application can be submitted to Western Research. A new LOI is not required if WORLDiscoveries has requested a resubmission to a new competition; however, a new ROLA Proposal must accompany the resubmitted application.

Guidelines

Deadline

  • Open competition; researchers may apply at any time.

Application

Indirect costs are not supported by this program.

Process

  • Reports of Innovation are to be submitted to WORLDiscoveries and copied to Research Western.
  • Letters of Intent are to be submitted to Western Research.
  • Internal program applications are processed through Western Research and must be accompanied by a completed ROLA proposal.

Reports

  • Interim: due within nine months of grant startup
  • Final: due within three months of grant termination

Contact

For more information, or questions relating to the WIF program, please contact Internal Grants at intgrant@uwo.ca.