Funding Selection Process

A Fair and Impartial Process Using Industry Experts

Each application will be given a fair evaluation based upon the information that is provided in the applications and with any additional supporting documentation provided by the applicant.  Applications are reviewed by SMART staff for eligibility and then forwarded to two independent outside industry experts for final review and ranking.  With the anticipated volume of applications to be received, only the highest ranked applications will be approved.  Should additional funding be received, or if all funding is not committed before the end of the program, it is possible that the next best applications could be revisited for funding.  For a copy of the ranking criteria, click here.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest

All CME staff and contractors involved in the application review and selection process are covered by a strict confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement, as are all the industry experts involved in the review of your proposal. In addition, based on information you provide in your application, we will screen our experts for any conflicts of interest so that your proposal receives an impartial and unbiased review. (Click here to download the CME SMART Program Code of Conduct(pdf)). Final decisions about funding will be made by a panel of those experts, rather than by CME staff, further reducing any chance for bias.

Financial statements are reviewed to ensure the viabilitiy of a company.  This information is held in strict confidence with the program.  Only the SMART staff assigned to the application as well as the industry experts who have provided a "no conflict" status with the applicant will have access to view the file.  The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) will have access upon request of the documents.