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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.

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.

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PROTOTYPING AWARDS

Apply Here

Download Budget Template

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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 for applicants from York University, and an annual basis for applicants from Queen's University. The Innovation & Commercialization Committee (ICC) will meet to review and adjudicate applications following each quarter.

Quarterly Period

Application Submission Deadline

Competition Open To Members From:

January 1 to March 31

March 31

York University Only

April 1 to June 30

June 30

Both York and Queen's University

July 1 to September 30

September 30

York University Only

October 1 to December 31

December 15

York University Only

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.
  • To maximize the potential for impact, engagement with partners and/or community members is important throughout the process of prototype development (requirement for both Phase 1 & 2 projects). Formal, established partnership(s) is a requirement for Phase 2 projects.
  • Proof of concept is complete (only for Phase 2 projects).
  • The technology must be disclosed to Innovation York/Queen’s Office of Partnerships & Innovation, and an initial IP assessment will be conducted.
  • For Phase 2 projects, a strong IP strategy is required, and a Connected Minds IP agreement with York/Queen’s University is signed. (Please contact Innovation York/Queen’s Office of Partnerships & Innovation for guidance).
  • 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.
  • Proposals in collaboration with one or more members of the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, Queen’s University may be considered for an additional $25,000 in funding under the Ingenuity Labs Research Opportunity Seed Fund. Preliminary requirements include: the primary applicant must be a member of the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute, and the proposal must have on focus in AI, Robotics and /or Human-Machine Interaction. Please note: this top-up funding will be administered directly to Queen’s faculty, and must remain within Queen’s University.

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

  1. Summary of Technological Innovation Towards Impact (Total 50 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. To maximize the potential impact of your prototype, partner and /or community engagement is important throughout the prototype development process. Please identify group(s) who are interested in your prototype, and can provide meaningful feedback for your development. Who are the intended recipients (end-user) of this technology? Who are you collaborating with to help bring your results to society? Project goals should be shaped with your identified Partners/Audiences. (Maximum 300 words)
  • Scientific/engineering/creative/social merit of the project. (30 points)
  • Commercial/innovation potential of technology (STREAM 1), or Social impact / innovation potential of technology (STREAM 2). (20 points)
  • If “Eligibility” criteria are met for additional top-up funding, please add the following statement in the MachForm: “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)

Outline a plan of action to develop your prototype, and bring your results to society. How will you gather feedback from those interested in your prototype and from the intended recipients? How will you work with your partners/collaborators?

  1. Work plan, including technical objectives, community outreach initiatives and project 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. Potential for Broad Outputs (Total 30 Points)

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

  1. Provide a 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 200 words)
  2. Provide a 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 the partners to help bring your technology to market, or potential receptors / end users/ clients of your technology. Describe your IP strategy and plans to protect your innovation. If applicable, also describe the following: plan to license technology to an existing company or create a start-up company. (Maximum 300 words)

For both Phase 1 & 2: in addition, please describe the future state if you achieve your goals. What is the evidence of this impact (qualitative and quantitative data)? What changes and for whom? How will you know? How can you prove it? How will you record it? (Maximum 200 words)

  1. Relevance to Connected Minds Mandate (PASS/FAIL), 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). Please describe relevant background research that led to this current prototype project, and its direct alignment with one or more of Connected Minds' Long-Term Goals:
    • To understand how the interplay of humans and intelligent technologies produces unexpected, emergent properties at the community/whole society levels
    • To predict how new technologies will disrupt the techno-social collective
    • To use these predictions to drive new research and technology development

(Maximum 500 words. Not included in word count - citation of relevant background publications, conferences, etc. is encouraged, and can be attached as a separate attachment.)

  1. Connected Minds Social Impact Assessment (PASS/FAIL)
    • Please see guidelines below
  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 300 words)

Briefly describe the impact of the research beyond the academic research. Describe the nature, extent, reach, sustainability, partners, and beneficiaries of the impact. How do you know this impact occurred – cite data sources, interviews with partners and researchers, data from the implementation of a new policy, product, or service.

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:

A. Social Responsibility:

Stream 1: Economic Benefit

Describe how your prototype promotes responsible innovation while generating economic value. Explain how you will ensure the development process aligns with ethical business practices and avoids social harm. Identify potential harms and detail mitigation strategies using appropriate risk assessment tools. Include plans to minimize negative externalities (e.g., labor exploitation, digital exclusion), while maximizing benefits to the Canadian economy and workforce.

OR

Stream 2: Social Impact

Describe how your prototype will make a direct and measurable positive contribution to societal well-being. Emphasize benefits to equity-deserving communities, marginalized populations, or public institutions. Identify potential harms and detail mitigation strategies using appropriate risk assessment tools. (Maximum 500 words)

B. Consideration of Diverse Perspectives:

Stream 1: Economic Benefit
Explain how your product or service is designed to meet the needs of a broad and varied customer base. Describe how you have considered different user contexts—such as geography, income levels, abilities, and cultural factors—in your product development and business strategy. Highlight how your approach reduces barriers and maximizes reach across different market segments, including attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion where relevant.

OR

Stream 2: Social Impact
Describe how your prototype accounts for the lived experiences and needs of diverse or marginalized communities. Detail how you will engage these groups in co-creation, testing, or consultation. Identify mechanisms to address bias and ensure cultural responsiveness. (Maximum 500 words)

C. Environmental Impact Assessment:

Stream 1: Economic Benefit
Explain how your prototype balances economic growth with environmental sustainability. If your product is resource-intensive or tied to industrial processes, describe mitigation strategies, circular economy opportunities, or potential ESG benefits.

OR

Stream 2: Social Impact
Describe how your prototype contributes to environmental well-being or addresses ecological challenges. Provide evidence of alignment with sustainability goals and outline measurable impacts (e.g. emissions reduction, biodiversity protection). (Maximum 500 words)

D. Building Trust and Public Acceptance:

Stream 1: Economic Benefit
Describe how you plan to build consumer trust and secure regulatory or market acceptance. Include strategies for managing public perception, ensuring data transparency, and communicating value to investors or early adopters.

OR

Stream 2: Social Impact
Explain how your prototype will foster public trust through community engagement, participatory design, and transparent communication. Highlight how you will remain accountable and responsive to the concerns of those affected by your technology. (Maximum 500 words)

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

Clearly describe how your work respects intellectual property rights (eg. patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets) of individuals or entities who hold rights to them. If applicable, address Indigenous intellectual property rights in accordance with UNDRIP and detail how you will protect traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and customs.

Stream 1 applicants should also explain how their IP strategy supports commercialization, licensing, and/or scaling within Canada.

OR

Stream 2 applicants should also explain how their IP strategy supports knowledge mobilization, community ownership, open-access models, and/or respect for culturally sensitive knowledge. (Maximum 500 words)

Last updated: 05/03/2024