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 (R & D), 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.

• 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 – Advisory Technical and Business 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.
• Industry Partnership Programs
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2683/
  Applies to: All of Canada
  Get assistance to do research and development from Canadian universities.
• Precarn
  
  http://www.precarn.ca/home/index.html
  Find technologies and research partners, as well as help with developing research proposals and managing research projects.
• Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) - 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 research and development in Canada.
• CRC’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.
• Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2875/
  Applies to: Ontario
  Your corporation could be eligible for a 20% tax credit for scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED) performed through an eligible research institute (ERI).
• New Environmental Technologies Evaluation Program (Ontario)
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2368/
  Applies to: Ontario
  Have your new Ontario environmental technology assessed by the Ministry of the Environment.
• Tax Holiday for Foreign Experts
  
  http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/summary/2290/
  Applies to: Quebec
  This tax measure facilitates the recruitment of recognized foreign experts to work on your innovation project.
• 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
• Conducting market research
  Learn more about market research, how it can improve your business decisions, and how to conduct a market research campaign.