Guidelines for CME’s Technology Investment Program
ENGLISH / FRANÇAIS
APPLYING FOR FUNDING
Due to overwhelming demand, we are not accepting applications at this time. Please complete this form and we will contact you if funding becomes available.
All reports and expense claims for approved investments must be submitted no later than January 15, 2024. No extensions will be granted.
CME’s mission is to help manufacturers grow their businesses. The Technology Investment Program provides direct financial assistance to SME manufacturers in southern Ontario in the form of a matching contribution of up to $50,000 (a maximum of 50% of eligible costs, which can include capital equipment, materials, training on new equipment, installation of new equipment, professional service fees, as well as a company’s direct labour devoted to the completion and management of the project up to $50,000) to support their investment in long-term production assets and technology that increase capacity and reduce emissions on production. Technologies may include: robotics; artificial intelligence and other machine learning applications; and advanced networks and the Internet of Things. Please note: investments in ERP systems and general training are not covered under this program.
Retroactive projects (investments beginning April 1, 2022 , in long-term production assets and technology) may be eligible for funding. Implementation of the long-term production assets and technology must be completed by December 31, 2023.
Companies must first complete a Technology Investment Program application form. Investments by the applicant beginning April 1, 2022 (retroactive projects in long-term production assets and technology) may be eligible for funding. The application must outline your business activities and objectives, and your project details, budget and benefits. Investment projects are expected to enable manufacturers to adopt critical technologies, allowing them to increase productivity, reduce their environmental footprint, expand into new markets and bring higher-paying jobs and skills to Ontario.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Only one project will be funded per company
- Investment projects beginning April 1, 2022 (retroactive projects) may be eligible for funding
- A final report and expense claim must be submitted to CME for approval prior to receiving the final payment
- Applications are only being accepted for manufacturers in Southern Ontario. Refer to the Southern Ontario Service Area for coverage
- Funding applications are being treated on a first come, first serve basis and when the remaining funds available are exhausted, no further consideration will be given to any applications
ELIGIBILITY
ELIGIBLE COMPANIES
In order to be considered for FedDev Technology Investment Program funding, your company must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a manufacturer* based in Southern Ontario per the census map (Refer to Southern Ontario Service Area)
- Must be an incorporated business (federally or provincially) for 2 years or more continuously
- Must demonstrate financial stability
- Must have a minimum of 15 employees and a maximum of 500 full-time employees (FTE) in Southern Ontario
- The number of employees refers to the facility where the project is taking place
- Companies are not required to be a member of CME to be eligible
- Not receiving other contributions toward the activities contained in the funding application from other government funded programs, including but not limited to:
- University or College Funding programs
- Export Funding programs
- Other related government funding programs
(*)Manufacturer is described as involved in operations to produce or support products/services related to manufacturing, processing, fabricating or refining
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
The program provides funding for investments and implementation of long-term production assets and technology that increase capacity and reduce emissions on production. Technologies may include: robotics; artificial intelligence and other machine learning applications; and advanced networks and the Internet of Things.
Please note: investments in ERP systems and general training are not covered under this program. Investments beginning April 1, 2022 (retroactive projects in long-term production assets and technology) may be eligible for funding. Implementation of the long-term production assets and technology must be completed by December 31, 2023.
ELIGIBLE COSTS
A proposed budget must be submitted with each application. The budget should provide a detailed breakdown of costs. All service provider invoices must clearly outline the services provided. Line item descriptions such as “services rendered” will not be accepted.
- Project Management/Consulting fees (excluding travel) are eligible
- Direct labour devoted to the completion and management of the project are eligible
- Direct materials related to the project are eligible
- Training on new equipment related to the project is eligible
- Capital Equipment is eligible
- Installation of capital equipment related to the project is eligible
- Entertainment and meals are not eligible costs
- Any receipts that are not included will be removed from eligible costs
- CME reserves the right to remove any unreasonable costs
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SELECTION CRITERIA AND REVIEW PROCESS
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated based on their ability to meet the following criteria:
- Technology investments that aim to improve and modernize the manufacturing process, leading to increased productivity and competitiveness
- New additions that reduce environmental footprint
- Commitment to develop export markets, or be part of the value supply chain, or potential to become a strong global player on a regional or global basis
- Creation of long-term employment and high-value jobs
A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL PROCESS USING INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Each application will be given a fair evaluation based upon the information and supporting documentation provided in the application by the applicant. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all relevant information is provided at the time of the application. CME will review the application and provide feedback on any missing documentation or where clarification is required. Missing information will delay the response time. As a general guideline, applications will be reviewed within a 45-business day timeframe.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST
All CME staff and contractors involved in the application review and selection process are covered by a strict confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement. FedDev will have access to all information upon request of the documents.
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APPROVALS AND REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS
APPROVAL
The submitted application will be reviewed by CME and our Industry Experts, after which the applicant will be notified if their proposed project is approved or not. A CME representative will contact approved applicants and provide a copy of the Contribution Agreement (contract). CME will release 20% of the approved funding to the applicant within 30 business days of the date of the signed contract.
EXPENSES
Once the approved technology project is complete, and all expenses have been paid in full, you are ready to complete your final report to CME. Templates of reports and forms will be provided by CME.
You will be required to complete an Expense Claim Form which will identify the budgeted expenses you submitted as part of your original application, and you will need to explain any significant variations (up or down) in actual expenses.
FINAL PAYMENT
The Technology Investment Program provides funding in the form of a matching contribution of up to $50,000 (a maximum of 50% of eligible costs, which can include capital equipment, materials, training on new equipment, installation of new equipment, professional service fees as well as a company’s direct labour devoted to the completion and management of the project up to $50,000). Non-eligible costs will be denied and will delay your final payment. If your approved expenses end up being less than originally proposed, the award amount will be adjusted accordingly.
Copies of all invoices, supporting documents, final report outlining the implementation of your approved technologies must be provided to an assigned CME representative.
Once the final report and expense claim have been received, they will be reviewed for final eligibility. Final payments on approved projects will be processed within 30-60 business days of the approval date.
DEFINITIONS
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE (FTE)
A full-time employee is a person who works directly for the applicant company, works a minimum of 35 hours per standard week, is paid through company payroll, and is issued a T4 slip for income tax purposes. Part-time employees can have combined hours to create a FTE employee. For example, 2 part-time employees who work a total of 17.5 hours each per week can be combined to equal 1 FTE employee. The number of FTE employees must be sustained throughout the lifecycle of the project. A company must have a minimum of 15 FTE employees and maximum of 500 employees located in Southern Ontario.
INCURRED EXPENSE
An expense is considered to have been incurred if the relevant services or products have been provided or delivered, and the payment has been made.
MANUFACTURING
Any natural or legal person who makes a physical good with tools and/or machines by effecting chemical, mechanical, or physical transformation of materials, substances, or components, or by simulating natural processes, usually repeatedly and on a large scale with a division of labour. Manufactured items often are, or are made out to be, different from other similar goods in one or more aspects, and are sold commonly under a particular brand name.
SMALL – MEDIUM SIZE ENTERPRISE (SME)
For the purpose of the Technology Investment Program, a SME is a manufacturing company with 15 to 500 full-time employees (FTE) located in southern Ontario.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions relating to the application process, please contact:
on.technologyinvestments@cme-mec.ca