• Français
• Home
• Contact Us
• Help
• Search
• canada.gc.ca

• My Region
• My Industry

Research and Development

The consumer's appetite for new and improved offerings is constant. Innovating can help you meet those needs and gain an edge over your competitor's products or services. By investing in research and development, your business could achieve greater profits down the road.

R&D involves finding out what the market wants, then designing, prototyping, testing, and producing the final product or service.

Whether you are on your own or have a dedicated R&D team, there are a number of activities you may need to do if you undertake this kind of project. You may need to:

• Do your own research or get outside assistance
• Meet performance or safety standards and regulations for controlled or restricted products
• Implement new technologies to produce your products or deliver services
• Protect your ideas

Take advantage of resources that may help you.

• Conducting market research
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/88/1194/
  Learn more about market research, how it can improve your business decisions, and how to conduct a market research campaign.
• Federal Research Laboratories
  
  http://data.fptt-pftt.gc.ca/fedlabs/fedlablist_e.cfm
  Find out about government research facilities and laboratories, and if they offer services to help your business carry out scientific or engineering research.
• Business Opportunities – Partnering Mechanisms
  
  http://www.fptt-pftt.gc.ca/eng/business/index.html
  Benefit from the expertise and services offered at government research facilities, including opportunities to license intellectual property, collaborate on research, or contract for research.
• Industrial Research Assistance Program – Technical and Business Advisory Services
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/3189/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Get technical advice and assistance to help you through all stages of the innovation process.
• Industrial R&D Fellowships Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/6751/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  You could get help to hire a PhD graduate to work on a research project in natural sciences or engineering for your business for 2 years.
• Industry Partnership Programs
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2683/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  You could get help with your Canadian research and development projects in natural sciences or engineering from colleges and universities in Canada.
• Scientific Research and Experimental Development — Tax Incentive Program
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1226/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  You can get a tax credit, if you spend money on industrial R&D in Canada.
• Communications Research Centre's Innovation Centre
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/1511/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Get help developing advanced communications technologies by having access to world-class researchers and affordable laboratory space in Ottawa.
• Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence
  
  http://www.nce-rce.gc.ca/NCESecretariatPrograms-ProgrammesSecretariatRCE/Index_eng.asp
  If you have a research project, you can partner with this network to help you expand your research facilities or commercialize a new product.
• Ontario Centres of Excellence: Research Programs
  
  http://www.oce-ontario.org/Pages/Research.aspx
  Tap into the research expertise of Ontario's universities, colleges and hospitals to help you innovate and stay competitive.
• Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2875/
  Applies to: Ontario
  You could be eligible for a refundable tax credit for scientific research and experimental development in Ontario.
• New Environmental Technology Evaluation Program: A guide for applicants
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2368/
  Applies to: Ontario
  You could get help developing and marketing your environmental technology with results from this assessment program.
• Tax holiday for foreign experts
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2290/
  Applies to: Quebec
  If you recruit foreign experts for your Quebec innovation project, you could obtain a tax holiday.
• Tax Credit for Technological Adaptation Services
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2245/
  Applies to: Quebec
  This credit helps you gain access to strategic information about existing technologies, and invest in research and innovation networks.
• Tax holiday for foreign researchers
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2561/
  Applies to: Quebec
  If your business does scientific research and experimental development, you could obtain financial assistance to recruit foreign researchers.
• Alberta Innovates
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/4767/
  Applies to: Alberta
  You can get support for the research and innovation-based activities of your business from the Alberta Government.
• Alberta Product Commercialization Centres
  
  http://www.advancededandtech.alberta.ca/technology/support/centres.aspx
  If you are developing a new product, turn to a product commercialization centre to receive the technical equipment, lab, test facilities and services you need to bring your idea to market faster.
• The Research Park
  
  http://www.researchpark.ca
  Get help developing and commercializing your innovative product or service through partnerships with the University of Western Ontario's Research Park.
• Collaborative Research and Development Grants
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/6801/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  You can get a university to help you with your research project in natural sciences or engineering if you contribute half the costs of the project.
• Atlantic Innovation Fund
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/6124/
  Applies to: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
  If your business is in the Atlantic provinces, you could get money to develop new technology.