OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013 - (Page 16)

COVER THE OSPE GUIDE TO COMMERCIALIZATION FUNDING PROGRAMS Engineers are proven leaders in innovative sectors of the Ontario economy, from clean technology to advanced manufacturing. However, many engineers continue to confront hurdles when striving to transform innovative ideas into globally marketable products and processes. OSPE’s Research and Innovation Task Force has responded to this challenge by preparing a guide that identifies available programs designed to support research, innovation and commercialization. This guide is available to assist OSPE members in navigating disparate resources and complex processes. Motivation for creation of the OSPE guide came from evidence such as that found in the Jenkins Report, the federal government’s review of federal support to R&D. According to the report, 52 per cent of businesses surveyed cited a lack of awareness of programs as the principal reason they do not participate in federal support programs. Another 35 per cent cited burdensome application processes as a key reason for foregoing support programs. In response to these troubling concerns, OSPE’s guide provides details on most of the key support programs available to engineers and other entrepreneurs in Ontario. It also provides OSPE’s candid perspective on the advantages and disadvantages of each program to help guide members through application processes. The OSPE Guide to Commercialization Funding Programs is available to members only, as a benefit of OSPE membership. Members can access the Guide by logging in at www.ospe. on.ca or by emailing advocacy@ospe.on.ca. 1 6 TheVoice Summer 2013 OSPE applauds government commitments In 2008, the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) launched Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, a $3-billion, eightyear strategy designed to make innovation a driving force of the Ontario economy. The Agenda lays the foundation for government initiatives that support innovation and job creation, including getting innovative ideas to market faster and revitalizing venture capital. Areas of focus have included clean technologies; advanced health technologies; pharmaceutical research and manufacturing; and information and communications technologies — all engineering-intensive areas. OSPE has applauded subsequent commitments by the Province, including the creation of programs and services such as the Ontario Research Fund, Innovation Demonstration Fund and Ontario Venture Capital Fund. OSPE has also expressed support for provincial plans to consolidate programs for commercialization of innovation — once spread out across at least seven ministries — into one Jobs and Prosperity Fund, translating to a reduction of at least 25 per cent in administrative costs, while maintaining access to funding programs. OSPE has been equally buoyed by increased federal commitments to investment in research, development and commercialization of promising innovations. Recent federal budgets have emphasized enhanced access to venture capital financing and improvements to the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR & ED) tax incentive program. Canada’s 2013 Economic Action Plan also allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to enhance research infrastructure, strengthen partnerships between industry and researchers and to help transform scientific knowledge into innovative new products and services. http://www.ospe.on.ca http://www.ospe.on.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013

OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013
Contents
Viewpoint
Newsbytes
Anne Sado, P.Eng.
National Engineering Month Ontario 2013
Engaging Tomorrow’s Engineers
Student Ambassador Profile
Innovation
The OSPE Research and Innovation Guide
The Advocacy Agenda
Maintaining and Expanding Our Engineering Capability
Engineers as Leaders
Why Throw It Away?
Connecting with Queen’s Park
Can We Engineer Better Drivers?
Insuring Your Work
Closing the Gap
Bridging the Gap
Learn, Develop, Grow Your Career
Grow Your Engineering Team

OSPE - The Voice - Summer 2013