Program Details

Introduction:

The Rural Broadband Fund (RBF) is a strategic partnership between Bell Aliant and the Province of Prince Edward Island. This fund represents a commitment made by the Province and Aliant to increase investment in information technology projects in rural areas of Prince Edward Island. Proposed projects must demonstrate innovation in the information technology sector and focus on rural economic development through the utilization of the Island wide broadband network. The Rural Broadband Fund will support projects that stimulate use of the island wide broadband network and create sustainable jobs in rural areas of Prince Edward Island.

The RBF will provide a grant of up to $50,000 for one year projects or $100,000 towards projects extending through two years. These contributions will aid the successful applicants with eligible expenses outlined within the project proposal. Applications will be evaluated by a review committee based on the project’s level of innovation, commercialization strategy, job creation, market potential, use of the broadband network, qualifications of the proponent and identified partners, and the ability to meet budgetary requirements.

Eligible Proponents:

Proponents must:

• Be from the private sector, public sector, industry associations, or academia (provincial government departments, agencies, crown corporations and Aliant subsidiaries are not eligible to be primary applicants).
• Reside or be incorporated in Prince Edward Island.
• Demonstrate capacity to meet project outcomes as evidenced through appropriate experience, education and training, or partnerships.

Eligible Projects:

Proposed Projects must:

• Involve an eligible activity
• Fit clearly within the IT or communications sectors.
• Provide technical and functional designs of product or service.
• Outline benefits to rural Prince Edward Island.
• Include a project plan that identifies expected outcomes, deliverables and associated timelines.
• Produce a project budget:
  • Describe all eligible expenses for the duration of the project.
  • Indicate potential funding sources and proof of any confirmed funding.
• Have a strong commercialization strategy.
• Describe the potential market and entrance strategy.
• Disclose and address use of intellectual or material property protected by copyright or patents as well as any ethical considerations resulting from the project.
• Disclose partnerships with Island institutions/corporations relevant to the proposed project and the utilization of products/services produced on PEI.

Eligible Activities:

Eligible activities may include (but are not limited to):

• The implementation of a new or significantly improved idea, service, process, or practice.
• Development of software products or products with embedded software and software services.
• Programming systems, data structures, algorithm design, operating systems, databases, computer networks, image processing and recognition, and artificial intelligence.
• Market research and assessment.
• Mobile applications, wireless networking and interface design.
• Networking and security systems.
• Technical feasibility.
• Intellectual property development/protection.
• Product and process development.

Other Considerations for Eligibility:

• Proponents who have received previous Provincial government or Bell Aliant funding are eligible, however, your application will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure overlap in activities or funding does not exist between current and previous applications.
• Contribution guidelines from other agencies involved in the project should be considered. The applicant should ensure compliance when establishing the budgetary requirements for the project.
• Applicants in arrears with any other Government Department or Crown Corporation will be disqualified from the competition.
• Applicants are allowed to submit one application per corporation or individual for each round of funding.
• Employees of the Province of Prince Edward Island or Bell Aliant are not eligible.

Project Assessment:

Applications will be evaluated against a clear set of program criteria using only information contained within the submitted application. Each proposal will be evaluated by the RBF Review Committee consisting of representatives from Bell Aliant and the Province. The Review Committee will evaluate and determine the successful applicants.

Level of Assistance:

Approved projects will be eligible for up to $50,000 (or 75% of total eligible expenses) to offset expenses tied to the approved project. Eligible expenses include salaries, direct material, sub-contracting services, equipment, in-kind expenses, and indirect costs of up to 20% of direct costs. Ineligible operating costs include insurance, goodwill, property tax, and other taxes (these lists are not exhaustive).

Funding for the RBF will be considered for one or two year projects. Successful applicants are eligible for $50,000 on one year projects or $100,000 on two year projects. This decision is based on the asking amount in the application and the evaluation of the Review Committee.

Funding will be provided in three installments. One third of the approved funding will be provided upon signed confirmation of the terms and conditions of the agreement as represented in the letter of offer. The balance of the approved funding will be paid as project milestones are reached and appropriate documentation is provided as stipulated in the letter of offer. Innovation PEI will be responsible for the administration of the letters of offer and distribution of the funds to successful applicants.

Performance Monitoring:

For each approved project, a letter of offer stating the terms and conditions of approval will be forwarded to the applicant or corporate contact. When accepted, the letter of offer shall constitute a contract between government, Bell Aliant, and the applicant(s).

Should the project fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract or be discontinued, government and Bell Aliant may, at its sole discretion:

• Declare the applicant to be in non-performance (default) of the contract.
• Request the applicant to repay in full the incentive received.
• Take necessary legal action to collect the incentive amount in full with interest.

Each successful applicant will be required to participate in promotion of the grant, at the request of the RBF Committee, and shall be required to provide periodic updates, in the form of reports to the RBF Committee, outlining the progress of their projects.

Right of First Refusal:

In exchange for Bell Aliant’s participation in the RBF, successful applicants shall agree to provide Bell Aliant with the first right to negotiate a development agreement on said product which arises as a result of the grant funding.

For More Information:

Applications and instructions are available online at www.islandprosperity.com or can be obtained by contacting our office.

The intake deadline for full applications will be May 20th, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after the due date and extensions will not be considered.

For specific questions or inquiries regarding the program, please contact:

Cody Clinton
Project Assistant, IPS Programs
Innovation PEI
(902) 620-3441
ceclinton@gov.pe.ca