This document discusses the Technology Access Centre Grants program in Canada, which aims to enhance the innovation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by enabling them to access expertise, technology, and equipment at Canadian colleges. The program provides grants to Technology Access Centres (TACs) affiliated with colleges to conduct applied research projects and offer technical services to local businesses. TACs help companies advance their products and services through research, advice, training, and connecting companies to additional resources and funding. There are currently over 30 TACs across Canada. The program has led to improved courses at colleges, hands-on training for students, increased faculty knowledge, enhanced college research capacity, new products and technologies from partner companies

1. Case: Technology
Access Centre Grants –
College and
Community innovation
program (Canada)
Dr. László Csonka
Conference on University Business Cooperation in
Central Europe

2. Policy Challenge
In Hungary: In Canada:
• Bridge the research capacity of
colleges and SMEs
• Enhance the ability of
companies, particularly SMEs,
to become more productive
and innovative by enabling
them to readily access college
expertise, technology and
equipment.
0
50
100
150
200
250
Estonia
UnitedKingdom
Greece
Belgium
Austria
Finland
Lithuania
Netherlands
France
Sweden
Denmark
Czechia
Slovenia
Ireland
Croatia
Luxembourg
Portugal
Cyprus
Germany
Slovakia
Spain
Hungary
Italy
Latvia
Poland
Bulgaria
Malta
Romania
Innovative SMEs collaborating with others SMEs with product or process innovations

3. Policy tool
• College and community innovation program – Tech-Access Grant
• A Technology Access Centre is a centre affiliated with a Canadian college
that provides access to specialized technology, equipment, and expertise
to local industry
• TAC helps Canadian businesses advance their products, processes and
services by:
• conducting research and development projects focused on company problems
• offering specialized technical services and advice
• providing companies with training related to new types of equipment and processes
• connect companies to additional sources of advice, service, expertise and funding
• TACs avoid undertaking any routine work that is already provided adequately by
private industry

4. Policy tool (cont.’d)
• Some program characteristics:
• two-stage application process
• awarded for five years and are renewable
• proposals are expected to focus on regional needs
• Eligible expenses include hiring the centre’s manager and administrator
• proposals are evaluated based on: value added, organisational structure,
market opportunity, delivery plan, applied research competence
• proposals must include a business plan for working with companies
• TACs are evaluated based on their impact on company innovation;
• annual financial and progress reports will be required
• mid-term evaluation to assess the progress of the TACs in meeting their
objectives

5. Key outcomes
• Currently there are 30+17 (2019) TACs
• Formal, national network is formed for sharing of best practices between member TACs, for
harmonizing service models across regions and for promoting college applied research to
external audiences
• Improved the content of courses
• Provided students with opportunities for hands-on training
• Supported faculty knowledge gaining
• Increased overall R&D capacity at their organization
• Results in new products, services, and/or technologies, as well as the improvement of
existing ones
• Led to increased revenues and a larger workforce
• Enhanced the capacity of colleges to engage in applied R&D
• Fostered partnerships with community organizations and SMEs.
• But:
• Program needs flexibility over time to the changing needs and requirements

6. Thank you for your kind attention!
 laszlo.csonka@uni-bge.hu,
adam.meszaros@nkfih.gov.hu