Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) in the Prairie Provinces - 5. How projects are assessed

How we assess your proposal

All applications will be evaluated on their ability to achieve RHII objectives, the viability and economic impact of the project, as well as their relative strengths in the following areas:

• market potential
• management capability
• financial capacity
• economic benefits
• technology readiness (technology commercialization projects only)
• degree of alignment with departmental/regional priorities

If undergoing a detailed assessment, PrairiesCan will request:

• business plan or pitch deck (if not already submitted)
• financial statements for the past 2 years, as well as interim financial statements for at least the last 6-month period (if not already submitted)
• forecasted income statements and cash flow including relevant assumptions for the duration of the project
• detailed breakdown of project costs
• disclosure of pre-existing disbursements to third parties or senior executives

Note that PrairiesCan will also conduct a credit check (e.g. Equifax). Where required, PrairiesCan will engage the technical services of the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to conduct the technical assessment of proposals for projects using novel technology.  In addition, PrairiesCan may share project information with Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), as well as the Canada Mortgage Housing Company (CMHC) who is in the process of establishing a catalogue of innovative building design practices.

Although PrairiesCan may engage companies directly on outstanding questions or issues, applicants are advised to submit a complete and thorough application. Not all applications undergoing a detailed assessment will receive an offer of funding.

Expected results

PrairiesCan is seeking to support projects that have a viable plan to produce strong economic benefits.

In your application, you must quantify, substantiate and later report on the following expected results:

• number of highly qualified personnel (HQP) jobs created in Canada
• number of non-HQP jobs created in Canada
• revenue growth ($)
• export sales growth ($)
• incremental private sector investment attracted ($)
• number of technologies to market
• business sales growth resulting from commercialization or adoption ($), where applicable

PrairiesCan is working to improve the economic participation of underrepresented groups such as Indigenous peoples, women, and youth. Applicants are encouraged to report on efforts to support inclusiveness. Refer to the Government of Canada’s Inclusive Innovation Agenda.

Elements of a strong proposal

Strong proposals will have a complete and sufficiently detailed application which will allow PrairiesCan to thoroughly review and validate the information and can include the following:

• comprehensive and well-written business plan
• independent market assessment and/or evidence of unmet market demand
• clearly defined market size and opportunity
• direct competitors identified and assessed
• detailed description of both the applicant organization and project management team
• credible financial statements accompanied by logical and reasonable financial projections
• demonstrated financial capacity to execute the project and the ability to repay
• clear alignment with the advanced manufacturing priority and other PrairiesCan’s key priorities where applicable
• significant economic benefits supported by reasonable assumptions and rationale
• well-defined IP strategy (if applicable)
• clear explanation as to how the productivity or efficiency savings will enable the business to grow and expand (if applicable)