Government of Canada Invites Letters of Intent and Project Proposals Under Round V of the Atlantic Innovation Fund

February 8, 2007
Moncton, New Brunswick

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today launched the next round of the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) by inviting eligible proponents to submit letters of intent and project proposals for AIF funding.

“Canada’s New Government is committed to investing in research and development that, once commercialized, will help build a more competitive economy in Atlantic Canada,” said Minister MacKay. “I am pleased to launch the next round of funding under the AIF, a program that is playing a key part in helping create jobs, increase trade and investment, retain highly skilled people and attract new talent to Atlantic Canada.”ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund is a Government of Canada initiative designed to strengthen the economy of Atlantic Canada by increasing the region’s capacity to carry out leading-edge, commercially driven R&D that contributes to the development of new technology-based economic activity.

“Just last month, I had the pleasure of announcing $67.1 million in funding for 29 innovative AIF projects throughout Atlantic Canada,” added Minister MacKay. “Under this new round announced today, I encourage Atlantic Canada’s businesses and research institutions to take full advantage of this important initiative and submit leading- edge proposals that will generate new opportunities for trade, investment and job creation in our region.”

Eligible proponents – which include private sector businesses, universities, colleges and other research organizations – are required to submit a mandatory letter of intent, followed by a complete project proposal. The deadline for submitting mandatory letters of intent is March 27, 2007, and the deadline for submitting complete project proposals is June 12, 2007. Detailed information is available on ACOA’s website: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca. Proposals will be evaluated against the AIF’s objectives and criteria and forwarded to the AIF Advisory Board, which is composed of people from across Atlantic Canada with expertise in research and development, business and economic policy.

FOR BROADCAST USE: Foreign Affairs and ACOA Minister Peter MacKay today invited businesses, universities and research institutions in Atlantic Canada to submit proposals for funding under the next round of the Atlantic Innovation Fund. The Atlantic Innovation Fund is designed to increase Atlantic Canada’s ability to carry out leading-edge R&D, which, once brought to market, has the potential to grow the Atlantic economy. Mandatory letters of intent must be submitted by March 27, 2007, and complete project proposals are due June 12, 2007. Detailed information is available on ACOA’s website: www.acoa.gc.ca.

Diana Zandberg
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Moncton, NB
506-851-2132