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Prototyping Awards

INTRODUCTION:

New technologies are revolutionizing society, creating a 'techno-social collective' where humans and intelligent machines are deeply interconnected. While such advances present exciting opportunities, they also present significant risks, especially for vulnerable populations. The Connected Minds Program envisions a world where breakthroughs in technology promote social health and justice for all, with special focus on Indigenous Peoples of Canada. Our transdisciplinary research teams and partners will pursue research and co-create technologies that optimize the benefits and mitigate the risks of the new techno-social collective. Supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and 50+ industry, hospital, and community partners, Connected Minds will support programs, researchers, and trainees to create a global hub of critical transdisciplinary scholarship on the configuration of social power and systemic barriers that underpin advances in emerging technologies.

Connected Minds Expertise Pillars: 1) Society, 2) Neuroscience, 3) AI/Technology

BACKGROUND:

Connected Minds provides competitively adjudicated funds to support members in the development of a prototype (hardware or software) that will lead to the commercialization or knowledge sharing/open-source development of a product or concept that is aligned with the Connected Minds socially responsible technology development mandate. This award opportunity offers two application streams:

STREAM 1 Economic Benefit – Supports prototype development with the main focus of bringing economic benefit to Canada,

OR

STREAM 2 Social Impact – Supports prototype development with the main focus of making social impact for Canada.

While Connected Minds recognizes the importance of both application streams (and the potential for overlap in certain cases), applicants are asked to indicate their predominant application stream, and to direct their proposal in accordance with this selected focus.

Applicants are encouraged to seek guidance from Dr. Pui Sai Lau, Connected Minds Commercialization Manager.

AWARD INFORMATION:

Deadline: Application submission deadlines are set on a quarterly basis. The Innovation & Commercialization Committee (ICC) will meet to review and adjudicate applications following each quarter.


Research Themes: Connected Minds research aligns with three core themes: Theme I (Co- creating Research for Societal Needs and Predicted Impact) projects will mobilize transdisciplinary academics expertise and non-academic partnerships (including Indigenous Communities) to co- create research topics, priorities, and approaches. Theme II (Fundamentals of Social Interaction: Neural, Algorithmic, and Social Networks) projects will study different levels and scales, from the local (e.g., cortical microcircuits, network modules, system components) to global (e.g., whole- brain functional connectivity, control systems), to the social networks composed of both humans and machines. Theme III (Designing and Developing Socially Responsible Technologies) projects will engage current and new partners in industry, healthcare, government, and not-for-profit sectors to develop these intelligent technologies, and promulgate policies that promote a healthy, just society, and bench to world validation.


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Apply Here

Download Budget Template

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Quarterly Period

Application Submission Deadline

ICC Adjudication & Results Deadline

January 1 to March 31

March 31

April 30

April 1 to June 30

June 30

July 31

July 1 to September 30

September 30

October 31

October 1 to December 31

December 31

January 31 (following year)

Amount:
Phase 1: Up to $20,000
Phase 2: Up to $50,000

Matching Funds:
Minimum 50% of the Connected Minds award contribution. Applicants are required to provide a matching funds contribution. Please specify matching funds information in the budget template

Applicants:
Applicants must be Connected Minds members.

In recognition of the underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous Peoples within the disciplines Connected Minds touches upon, at least 10% of available prototyping awards will be designated for qualified applicants identifying as African, Caribbean, and Black, and at least 10% for Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit), totaling at least 20% of all prototyping awards. To qualify for these designated awards, applicants must complete the voluntary self-identification form and meet the minimum requirements set for the award. Any proposals addressing Indigeneity will be reviewed by the Indigenous Advisory Circle.

Project Duration:
Phase 1: 4-6 months
Phase 2: 6-12 months (extension to 18 months possible with justification)

USE OF FUNDS:

  • Phase 1 – Early-stage prototype development (hardware or software) where experimental or technical data are still required.
  • Phase 2 – Full prototype development (hardware or software) of a product.
  • The funds can be utilized as salary, material, or fee-for-service.
  • As per CFREF rules, these funds cannot be used to pay patent fees.
  • Proof of concept is complete (only for Phase 2 projects).
  • The technology must be disclosed to Innovation York/Queen’s Office of Partnerships & Innovation.
  • An initial IP assessment is conducted, and where applicable, a Connected Minds IP agreement with York/Queen’s University is signed.
  • The funds will be administered in accordance with the Connected Minds IP policy and aligned with the institutional policies of the respective universities with due consideration being given to projects which engage in issues of Indigenous IP and Knowledge.

Applications for Phase 1 and Phase 2 must include the following sections and be submitted via MachForm link above.

  1. Summary of Technological Innovation (Total 40 Points)
  1. Title of the proposal
  2. Description of the proposal. Background of the invention, the state-of-the-art, and value proposition of your technology, and proof-of-concept if applicable. (Maximum 300 words)
  • Scientific/engineering/creative/social merit of the project. (25 points)
  • Commercial/innovation potential of technology (STREAM 1), or Social impact / innovation potential of technology (STREAM 2). (15 points)
  • In the MachForm, add the following statement for applicants to select if appropriate: “This proposal is in collaboration with one or more members of the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, Queen’s University. Please consider this proposal for an additional $25,000 in funding under the Ingenuity Labs Research Opportunity Seed Fund.”
  1. Project Feasibility (Total 20 Points)
  1. Work plan, including technical objectives and technical risks. (Maximum 250 words)
  2. Milestones/timelines (1 page attachment in appendix)
  3. Budget and source of the matching funds (all expenditures must be CFREF-eligible) (MachForm template)
  1. Project Potential for Broad Outputs (Total 20 Points)

Quality of plan for technology transfer and commercialization (STREAM 1), or for knowledge sharing/open-source development (STREAM 2).

  1. Description of the market analysis assessment (Phase 1 only)
    • Provide a market overview. Identify what problem or opportunity you aim to address with your proposed technology. Clearly explain how your technological solution can meet this business need and / or societal need. Describe how your solution compares to competition in the market. (Maximum 300 words)
  2. Description of the technology transfer plan (Phase 2 only)
    • Outline the proposed technology transfer activities towards commercialization or knowledge mobilization. Please include a market analysis assessment, and identify potential partners to help bring your technology to market, or potential receptors / end users/ clients of your technology. If applicable, also describe the following: IP strategy, plan to license technology to an existing company or create a start-up company. (Maximum 400 words)
  1. Relevance to Connected Minds Mandate (Total 20 Points), and i) the potential for positive impact on Canadian economic development (STREAM 1), or ii) the potential for positive impact on equity-deserving groups (STREAM 2). (Maximum 300 words)
  2. Connected Minds Social Impact Assessment (PASS/FAIL)
  1. Social responsibility (Maximum 500 words)
  2. Consideration of diverse perspectives (Maximum 500 words)
  3. Environmental impact assessment (Maximum 500 words)
  4. Building trust and public acceptance (Maximum 500 words)
  5. Acknowledgment of intellectual property and considerations for traditional knowledges (Maximum 500 words)
  • Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.
  • All proposals will be reviewed by the Connected Minds Innovation & Commercialization Committee.
  • Any proposals addressing Indigeneity will be reviewed additionally by the Indigenous Advisory Circle.
  • Researchers may apply for Phase 2 directly if their technology is sufficiently developed.
  • Receipt of Phase 1 funding does not guarantee that the project will receive funding under Phase 2.

Awardees must submit a final report no later than two months after the end of the project. The report must include the following:

  • Overall outcome of the project (Maximum 200 words)
  • Milestones achieved; Milestones not achieved and the reasons why (Maximum 100 words)
  • How the prototyping funds were used (Maximum 100 words)
  • Next steps (Maximum 100 words)

Given the complex, interdisciplinary and techno-social focus of the Connected Minds program, the Connected Minds Social Impact Assessment Guidelines were developed to emphasize that researchers and prospective researchers are further required to think about their research, their technologies and the proposed uses of those technologies through the lenses of social responsibility, harm avoidance, equity and inclusivity.

Socially responsible research prioritizes ethical principles and values throughout the development and implementation of new programs, processes, technologies, and ways of knowing and doing. It is research that takes into account the potential impact(s) on individuals, communities and society/societies as a whole, while aligning with human values, respecting both individual and collective human rights, and contributing to a sustainable and inclusive future.

Researchers (both funded and prospective) must be able to demonstrate to the program and its reviewers that they have considered and adequately addressed the following considerations in their proposals/reviews:

1. Social Responsibility:

Clearly articulate how your research will be conducted in a socially responsible manner. Explain the measures you will take to ensure that the research process and outcomes contribute positively to societal well-being. If appropriate, apply generally agreed-upon risk assessment tools to identify and mitigate potential harms associated with your research. Clearly outline the steps you will take to monitor and address risks, with a focus on minimizing adverse impacts on impacted communities. (Maximum 500 words)

2. Consideration of Diverse Perspectives:

Clearly demonstrate how your research accounts for the needs and perspectives of diverse populations. Provide details on how you plan to prevent biases and ensure inclusivity across socioeconomic status, race, gender, and other equity-deserving identity characteristics. (Maximum 500 words)

3. Environmental Impact Assessment:

Please describe how the proposal integrates considerations for environmentally sustainable technologies. Proposals with potential environmental ramifications should explicitly showcase the prediction, analysis, and mitigation measures employed to ensure any adverse effects are identified and addressed to prevent harm. (Maximum 500 words)

4. Building Trust and Public Acceptance:

Demonstrate how your research approach is designed to build trust and gain public acceptance. Highlight specific strategies to engage with the public (including users and/or patients, as applicable), address concerns, and maintain transparency throughout the research lifecycle. (500 words)

5. Acknowledgment of Intellectual Property and Considerations for Traditional Knowledges:

Clearly acknowledge and outline how your research and any technologies developed respect the intellectual property of individuals or entities who hold rights to them. Identify and specify the types of intellectual property involved, such as patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets. Identify the data governance framework that will be applied to this proposal. If applicable, address Indigenous intellectual property rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) (2017). Emphasize how your research respects Indigenous rights to the protection of traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and customs. (500 words)

Last updated: 05/03/2024