Prototyping Award Application: 06.30.2026

Prototyping Award Application

Applications are due by 11:59PM EDT on June 30, 2026.

Applications from both York and Queen's will be accepted this cycle.
Decision
Applicant Information
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Application Type:
Stream:

Summary of Technological Innovation Towards Impact
Title
Describe the 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.
0/300

Project Feasibility

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?
Describe the work plan, including technical objectives, community outreach initiatives, and project risks.

0/250
Milestones/Timelines
Upload milestones/timelines file here (format: .pdf, .docx, .doc, .xlsx)

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Budget

Applicants are required to provide a matching funds contribution (minimum 50% of the Connected Minds award contribution). Please specify matching funds information in the budget template.
Upload the completed budget template here (format: .xlsx):

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Collaboration with the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute
Check this box if:

Project Potential for Broad Outputs

Quality of plan for technology transfer and commercialization (STREAM 1)
Project Potential for Broad Outputs

Quality of plan for knowledge sharing/open-source development (STREAM 2)
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.

0/200
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 plan to license technology to an existing company or create a start-up company.

0/300
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?

0/200

Relevance to the Connected Minds Mandate
Describe the relevance to the Connected Minds mandate and the potential for positive impact on Canadian economic development. 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.

0/500
Describe the relevance to the Connected Minds mandate and the potential for positive impact on equity-deserving groups. 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.

0/500
Citation of relevant background publications, conferences, etc. is encouraged, and can be attached as a separate attachment here.

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Social Impact Assessment (Stream 1: Economic Benefit)
1. Social Responsibility:
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.

0/500
2. Consideration of Diverse Perspectives:
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.

0/500
3. Environmental Impact Assessment:
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.

0/500
4. Building Trust and Public Acceptance:
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.

0/500
5. 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. Also explain how your IP strategy supports commercialization, licensing, and/or scaling within Canada.

0/500

Social Impact Assessment (Stream 2: Social Impact)
1. Social Responsibility:
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.

0/500
2. Consideration of Diverse Perspectives:
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.

0/500
3. Environmental Impact Assessment:
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).

0/500
4. Building Trust and Public Acceptance:
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.

0/500
5. 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. Also explain how your IP strategy supports knowledge mobilization, community ownership, open-access models, and/or respect for culturally sensitive knowledge.

0/500

Please Review Your Submission
Should be Empty:

Applicant Information

Summary of Technological Innovation Towards Impact

Project Feasibility

Milestones/Timelines

Budget

Collaboration with the Ingenuity Labs Research Institute

Project Potential for Broad Outputs

Project Potential for Broad Outputs

Relevance to the Connected Minds Mandate

Social Impact Assessment (Stream 1: Economic Benefit)

Social Impact Assessment (Stream 2: Social Impact)

Please Review Your Submission