Commercialization Policy

To harness the intellectual property generated through Applied Research activities, with the institution’s resources, to achieve Ontario’s goal of ensuring that made-in-Ontario innovations benefit Ontarians.

This policy applies to all Cambrian employees, contractors and any students involved in paid applied research activities.

Applied Research: grant-funded and industry sponsored research and development activities directed at solving a specific challenge faced by an external partner or Third-Party Entities (TPE). Applied Research is typically carried out by teams of students working under the guidance, supervision, and / or mentorship of faculty, and in collaboration with partner organizations or under agreement with TPEs.

Third-Party Entities or TPE: an industry or community partner with which the College has contracted to provide Applied Research Services.

1. The Province of Ontario issued its Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework in early 2022. The objective of Ontario’s Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework is to harness the intellectual property generated with the institution’s resources to achieve Ontario’s goal of ensuring that made- in-Ontario innovations benefit Ontarians.
2. Cambrian is committed to supporting Ontario’s Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework within the context of the role Ontario colleges play in applied research and innovation.
3. Cambrian is uniquely positioned through its Applied Research Office, to collaborate with industry partners to advance innovation and facilitate commercialization of intellectual property in Ontario that creates economic and social benefits for our communities. In particular, applied research activities taking place at Ontario’s publicly-assisted colleges in partnership with small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) create innovative solutions to challenges being experienced in our communities in a variety of settings. These innovations will be a key driver for sustainable economic recovery, growth, and competitiveness in Ontario.
4. To increase innovation at the community and regional level, Cambrian will continue to rely on funding from granting agencies, primarily federal agencies, as the operating funding provided to colleges does not reflect the overhead costs of exploring, developing, and overseeing applied research projects.
5. Ontario’s Commercialization Mandate Framework provides an opportunity to advance the role of the publicly-assisted college sector in research and innovation.
6. Cambrian looks forward to continuing to support our partners in the commercialization of intellectual property realized through applied research activities, to realize the full benefits for all Ontarians.

Vice President, Finance and Administration and Applied Research is responsible for:

• The general oversight of the Commercialization Policy and Applied Research activities of the College.
• Signing all Applied Research services agreements.

Applied Research Office is responsible for:

• Ensuring and promoting compliance with this policy and other IP policies of the College, if any, namely by informing relevant stakeholders of their rights, roles, and responsibilities.
• Responding to questions regarding the application, interpretation, and implementation of this policy.
• Managing agreements signed with TPEs, including non-disclosure agreements, assignments, and licences, including establishing, negotiating, and reviewing all such agreements, with the assistance of legal counsel, if necessary, before they are signed by any employee, contractor, or student at the College.
• Serving as the repository for the foregoing agreements.
• Supporting staff members, students, and industry partners with any issue related to IP protection and commercialization.
• Making members of research teams aware of the terms and conditions of the relevant research agreement that could impact them.

Deans, Directors, and Chairs are responsible for:

• Supporting and implementing this policy.

Employees are responsible for:

• Abiding by this policy.

• Canadian Patent Act R.S.C., 1985, c. P-4 Canadian Copyright Act R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42