Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Energy Innovation Program Smart Grid Regulatory Innovation Capacity Building Call for Proposals

Question

Can the remaining funding be in-kind or does it have to be in-cash?

Answer

The remaining funding can be in-kind and/or cash.

Question

How are team members and partner organizations evaluated? Do you get a higher score if you have more team members?

Answer

Team members are evaluated based on expertise and experience that is relevant to the project. 

Partners are not required.  Only include partners if you think they are necessary for your project.  Partners are also evaluated based on expertise and experience that is relevant to the project.

Question

Are materials and supplies eligible?

Answer

Please refer to Section 3.1 Eligible activities and projects, and Section 5. Eligible, ineligible, and non-permissible expenditures, of the Applicant's Guide.

Question

If successful in the EOI phase, how long will applicants have to prepare their FPP?              

Answer

Applicants will have seven weeks to prepare and submit their FPP.            

Question

Would in-kind time of participants in supporting the project be considered an eligible expense?

Answer

In-kind contributions are not eligible to be reimbursed by NRCan. Please see section 5.2 Ineligible expenditures.  In-kind contributions may contribute towards Total Project costs.  Please see section 4.2 In-Kind contributions.

Question

What kind of outcomes are prioritized?

Answer

Please refer to Section 1. Objectives in the Applicant's Guide and to the questions and points in the Expression of Interest from.

Question

Can you confirm that territories (whose power grids are not connected to the North American grid) are eligible?

Answer

The applicant must be a legally registered entity within Canada and the project must take place in Canada.  Project partners can be outside Canada. 

Question

Under the "Regulatory Focus Area Objective" section of the application, it is mentioned that the "Points are awarded for both how well your projects meet each criterion and how many criteria your project is able to achieve". Could you please clarify whether points are awarded for how well the project meets each objective and criteria, or just the criteria only?

Answer

“Points are awarded for both how well your projects meet each criterion and how many criteria your project is able to achieve" applies to the evaluation criteria (Adaptive, Purposeful, Informative, Collaborative), and not to the number of objectives (Objectives 1, 2, and 3).   I.e., extra points are not awarded for meeting multiple objectives.

Question

Under the section "IDEA Project Benefits", could you please clarify whether the points are awarded for each benefit category (affordability, access, and participation) and evaluation criteria for each category, or just the evaluation criteria?

Answer

“Points are awarded for both how well your projects meet each criterion and how many criteria your project is able to achieve" applies to the evaluation criteria: (The identified opportunity or need for the IDEA-related project benefit; How your project will address the identified opportunity or need; The timeline for implementation and expected results; and, The metrics with which results will be measured).  I.e., Extra points are not awarded for meeting multiple project benefits (Project Benefits 1, 2, and 3).

Question

Are there any Technology Readiness Level (TRL) requirements in this Focus Area?

Answer

There are no Technology Readiness Level (TRL) requirements for this Focus Area.

Question

Are projects focused on technological innovation eligible under this program?

Answer

This Focus Area is for Regulatory Innovation Capacity Building.  The Demonstration Focus Area is for technologically innovative projects.  The Demonstration Focus Area is closed for intake.

Question

Would you be able to provide a few examples of the types of projects that could be funded?

Answer

Please refer to the table "Eligible Activities and Project Examples" in Section 3.1 Eligible activities and projects, in the Applicant's Guide.