New deadline - 2012-2013 OCE Connections Program

The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) recently announced the launch of its 2012-2013 OCE Connections Program.  This program partners students in science, engineering, and other technical programs with technology-based companies to solve a problem in industry.  A summary is provided below.
 
Objectives
This is a collaborative talent program that brings together final-year college and university students and innovative Ontario companies.  The Connections Program offers students the opportunity to apply technical and professional skills to real-world problems, helping them grow as innovators and leaders in business.
 
Benefits
Students:

• Gain hands-on industrial relevance to their final-year project courses
• Solve real-world problems
• Get experience developing a project plan and solution
• Receive input and guidance from academic and industry experts

• Fresh perspective, new skills and new ideas
• Access to motivated and skilled young talent
• Affordable short-term skilled labour
• Company and brand exposure

 
Value
OCE will match the contribution (1:1, cash + in-kind up to up to a maximum of $2,000 per project (minimum of 3 students per project and 1 industry partner).  The cash matching contribution must be 50% of budget requested of OCE from all sources.   There must be at least 30% cash matching from industry sources.
 
Duration
The 2012-13 funding term for Connections has been extended to June 30, 2013 to allow for spending from April thru June. However, any funding spent beyond March 31, 2013 must not exceed 25% of the total project.
 
Deadlines
Submission of Expression of Interest to agency (for those who have not applied to the Connections Program prior to this year) – September 10, 2012 (revised date)
Submission of Expression of Interest (previous applicants) – August 1, 2012
Submission of full application to ORS – September 17, 2012
Submission of full application to agency – September 30, 2012
 
The guidelines and application form are attached for your perusal.  For further details on this program, please consult the following link:
http://www.oce-ontario.org/programs/talent-programs/connections
 
For those of you, who have participated in the program in previous years, please note that there are some changes to the application and application process which is outlined in the attached document “Highlights of Changes for 2012-13.”  You are also invited to participate in a teleconference to be held on Thursday, June 14^th, 2012 from 3:00 – 4:00.  Dial - Tel. 1-877-314-1234; Passcode: 8906685/Please RSVP by sending an email to Roxy Hamilton at Roxy.Hamilton@oce-ontario.org if you plan to participate.

• HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES FOR 2012
• OCE CONNECTIONS APPLICATION_May31_2012_final with watermark
• OCE CONNECTIONS GUIDELINES_May31_2012_final
  

ORS Submission Policy
York University researchers are reminded that all applications for external research funding, including Letters of Intent, must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Research Services before they are submitted to the granting agency. For internal approval, the application must be accompanied by a completed ORS Checklist, which requires the Chair’s and Dean’s signatures.

To ensure that the approved application is ready by the agency deadline, a complete application folder must be submitted to the ORS ten (10) working days prior to final submission date.