- Market Assessment
- Market Feasibility Study
- Commercialization of New Technology Assessment
- Productivity Assessment
- How to Apply
- Service Providers
Assessment
SMART realizes the importance of Assessments and will contribute 50% to a maximum of $5,000 of the eligible costs to help companies identify opportunities for potential projects for SMART Program assistance in the areas of product and process improvements, market development, and commercialization to either increase market penetration in a current market or investigate a new export market.
Companies must complete an online application and submit a proposal from the qualified service provider (QSP) that outlines the assessment process.
All assessments must identify the export market growth opportunities. Productivity and process improvement projects only where the outcomes do not demonstrate the export opportunities will not be considered for funding. There must be a clear and precise proposal from the QSP that outlines how these improvements tie into the export market.
Notes:
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An approval for an assessment does not guarantee that a project will then qualify for funding
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Only one assessment will be funded per corporation or business entity.
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If completing a market assessment, it must be done for an international market or location which the company is not presently serving. The United States is considered an international market.
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The assessment must be undertaken by an approved CME Qualified Service Provider (QSP). (Work done by an internal staff member, whether full time or part time will not be considered.)
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This must be for future work and not for any assessments that have been previously done by the applicant.
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A copy of the assessment proposal (from the QSP) must be submitted by the company for pre-approval prior to starting the assessment.
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Check the website for eligible or non-eligible costs.
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A final copy of the report must be submitted to SMART for approval and any final payment.
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All agreements for the assessment are between the applicant company and the QSP.
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The applicant company is responsible for making payments to the QSP. SMART will not make direct payments to the QSP.
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The final decision on satisfaction with the quality of the assessment rests with the applicant company. If unsatisfied with the report, this must be rectified before submitting to SMART for payment. A received report and final claim constitutes a satisfactory and complete assessment.
