The Ontario Together Fund is always evolving to stay relevant for Ontario businesses and may be opening itself up to include a variety of new projects, including a wider array of those from our sector. At its core, this fund is meant to assist the ongoing response to COVID-19 by Ontario based firms utilizing innovation approaches. When it was launched, the fund had a heavy focus on digital health/ PPE projects. While these types of projects are still a focus, there are indications that the scope might be widening a bit to include other technologies and projects. Given how logistics is vital to provincial supply chain and the economy, there may be an opportunity for companies in our sector(s) to leverage the fund in order to adopt new technologies which can help them become more efficient and resilient. Below, there is more information on eligibility criteria. This will also give interested carriers an idea on how to craft their applications and the types of projects that might fit the scope of the fund. If approved, the fund provides a conditional grant up to 75% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $2.5M.
It is important to note, however, this is a discretionary, non-entitlement program. This means, even if an application meets all program objectives and eligibility criteria, the province is under no obligation to approve funding or services. Nonetheless, this may be a good opportunity for carriers and other companies who are looking to leverage provincial funding to try new tech or products.
For additional details, or to review a project you may be considering, feel free to contact Michael Boni – Senior Sector Advisor, at the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade at: michael.boni@ontario.ca
As a first step, you can have a look here for more information on eligibility and the type of projects you can propose – https://covid-19.ontario.ca/check-your-eligibility-ontario-together-fund
Ontario Together Fund
Deadline
You can submit an application until the program ends on March 31, 2022 at 5 p.m. EST.
Description
The Ontario Together Fund (OTF) provides funding to firms and organizations for projects that support either (or both):
- Ontario’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Ontario’s preparedness for future public health emergencies
The OTF focuses on supporting manufacturing and innovation that helps combat COVID-19 and provides goods and services critical to health, safety and security.
Types of funding available may include:
- a conditional grant up to 75% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $2.5M
- maximum funding will only be provided for projects that demonstrate exceptional benefits or innovation
- complementary supports and services
Eligibility
Funding is available to firms and organizations in Ontario with a minimum of two years of operations. Scale-ups may be eligible.
In order to be eligible, a project must:
- be based in Ontario
- support Ontario’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or preparedness for future public health emergencies
- serve business and/or consumer markets
- be completed by March 31, 2022
We will assess applications based on the following criteria:
- alignment with provincial priorities, with preference given to projects that:
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- strengthen Ontario’s domestic manufacturing capacity
- support homegrown technologies and innovative solutions
- strengthen Ontario’s Medical Technology (“MedTech”) sector
- technical and financial assessments that:
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- identify risks and mitigation approaches related to the applicant’s ability to execute the project and deliver services, inputs, or finished products that meet appropriate specifications
- confirm that the applicant is in a financial position to carry out the project
- identification of an ongoing business and/or consumer market for the product or solution
- job creation, retention and regional impacts
- compliance with relevant legislation and regulations
This is a discretionary, non-entitlement program. Even if an application meets all program objectives and eligibility criteria, we are under no obligation to approve funding or services.
- If your project is eligible and aligned with provincial priorities, we will connect you with a ministry advisor who can assist you in completing a full application.
- If your project is not eligible and/or not aligned with provincial priorities, we will notify you that we are unable to proceed.