CONNAUGHT INNOVATION AWARD PROGRAM
Application Form
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
A full innovation award application must be preceded by a Notice of Intent (NOI) due on October
14, 2011. Please refer to the Connaught Fund website for further information.
The submission deadline for full applications is November 1, 2011. Electronic submission is
preferred. A complete application package includes:
a) This application form (in Word format);
b) RIS application attachment form, duly completed and signed (a separate file in scanned
PDF format); AND
c) Supplementary Materials (optional, 10 pages or less in PDF or Word format): relevant
technology background information, published patent information, principal investigator
publication references or abstracts.
Application packages and supporting documents should be forwarded to Connaught Secretariat
at connaught.secretariat@utoronto.ca by the submission deadline. Contact Michael Hussey,
Research Funding Officer, Internal Programs, at 416-978-7577 or m.hussey@utoronto.ca should
you experience any technical difficulties or prefer a paper submission.
GENERAL PRESENTATION
Please ensure that your application is presented according to the following specifications:
Single-spaced
Body text in a minimum 11 pt font
All margins set at a minimum of ¾ inch or 2cm
1. APPLICANT INFORMATION
Last Name, First Name: Department, Faculty: U of T Appointment Start Date:
Mailing Address: E-mail Address:
Academic Rank:
2. PROJECT TITLE
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3. OTHER FUNDING
Please list other funding opportunities related to this project which you have explored.
Indicate the sponsor, the amount requested or awarded, and its funding status.
4. DISCLOSURES
Has the technology been publicly disclosed or Yes No
published?
If yes, provide details of the public disclosure. (name of publication, conference or other and
the date of that disclosure)
You have filed a confidential invention disclosure (CID) to the Innovations and
Partnerships Office under the U of T Invention Policy. Indicate the disclosure number and the
title. Explain how the ICD relates to this Connaught Innovation Award application.
5. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: (up to half a page)
Describe the strength and novelty of the project: market input into technology development;
current progress, development, milestones reached and projected, and the likely niche market or
major market impact.
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6. AMOUNT OF CONNAUGHT FUNDING REQUESTED:
____________________________
7. Technology Opportunity (up to one page)
Briefly describe the technology and the history of its development and current status;
Provide a short summary of what is needed to further develop the technology, including
its competitive advantage in a particular sector/industry.
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8. Commercialization Potential and Competitive Analysis (up to three pages)
Please address the following points as appropriate:
o Outline the commercial analysis that has been undertaken to assess this opportunity and its
potential advantages;
o List the most likely commercial applications of this technology;
o State why your technology may meet an unmet need, solve a critical problem or improve an
existing application. Provide examples of any competitive products or processes;
o Describe your knowledge of the current industry environment in relation to the technology or
product, and if potential partners have been contacted. In addition, describe any marketing
efforts that have been carried out to date for this opportunity;
o Describe the potential market opportunity (potential major or niche market size) for the
technology.
o Describe how the current technology addresses defined – or emerging needs in existing,
developing and/or entirely new markets.
o What types of customers might be interested and why?
o What are the plans for reaching these targeted customers?
o Also include the identification of risk factors that may prevent or impede adoption or
commercialization
o Outline any partnerships with the private sector (financial/investment,
consulting/management advice)
o What is the proposed business model?
o What is the likeliest route or scenario by which the technology can achieve commercial
application?
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9. Intellectual Property ( up to half a page, any details on patents or publications to be
included as Supplementary Materials to this application)
Describe the status of the technology from an intellectual property perspective
(technology developers, pre-existing obligations, patent status, trademarks or copyright)
Was a patent search or freedom to operate search performed? If yes, please list up to 10
of the most relevant patents.
State the status of appropriate IP protection (provisional patent application, software
copyright etc.).
10. Regulatory issues (up to half a page)
Identify regulatory hurdles that must be addressed to bring the technology, product or service to
market, if applicable.
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11. Project Team (no space limit)
List the lead investigator and members of the project team including their position, institutional
affiliation, expertise, as well as ongoing role within the project and decision-making process.
12. Project Plan Details (up to 1 page)
Describe the development goals and expected outcomes of the project being proposed. The
proposal should address potential technical or knowledge hurdles. Include how progress will be
reported and monitored.
Include an outline of why reaching these goals represents a key step in the continued
commercialization of the technology or dissemination of knowledge.
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13. Milestones: Clearly identify milestones, and estimate starting and completion dates.
Milestones Start Date Completion Date
Add more rows as necessary.
14. Proposed Cash Budget
*See list of Eligible expenses
Provide a detailed justification for each item in the budget.
Budget Item Dollar Amount (CDN)
Salaries and Benefits (students, technician)
Business Development Services
Technical and Scientific Services
Patent Protection, Travel & Marketing
Research Equipment, Laboratory Animals,
Laboratory & Facility Fees
Laboratory Consumables
Total
Justification:
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15. Potential Outcomes and Next Steps ( up to half a page)
Present a synopsis of the further development of the technology that will have to be
undertaken once this project has been completed in order to commercialize the technology.
Specify sources of additional funding required to commercialize the technology (NSERC I2I,
CIHR PoP, OCE and/or angel/VC investment)
Briefly describe what will happen upon successful completion of the project (e.g. additional
development, license opportunity, start-up company)
What is the most likely outcome?
Include any next steps, with emphasis on the financing model.
Supplementary Materials (10 pages or less, a separate attachment in Word or PDF format)
Optional supporting documents include relevant technology background information, published
patent information, principal investigator publication references or abstracts.
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