Program Details

The Premier’s Innovation Speaker Series is designed to support local leaders that have identified world experts to deliver public lectures, give seminar presentations and participate in roundtable or panel discussions on Prince Edward Island. These prominent and dynamic experts will advance public knowledge in the priority sectors of the Provincial government’s economic strategy: bioscience (including agriculture and fisheries), aerospace, renewable energy, and information technology.

Local leaders from across PEI (applicants) are responsible for endorsing the world class expert and organizing all arrangements pertaining to their visit. The Project should be executed within one year of agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Premier’s Innovation Speaker Series funding.

Applications will be accepted from local business owners, research professionals, industry leaders, and other private and public sector employees. A peer review committee will evaluate the proposal based on the proposed agenda, individual’s experience and strategic fit within the priority sectors. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability of the proposal to strengthen innovative research and commercialization within these sectors.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

• Be from the private sector, public sector, industry associations, or academia (provincial government departments, agencies, crown corporations are not eligible to be primary applicants).
• Reside or be incorporated in Prince Edward Island.
• Demonstrate the advantages to PEI by hosting the proposed speaker.

Invited guests or speakers should:

• Demonstrate a high level of experience with innovative products, services, or processes.
• Fit clearly within the bioscience (including agriculture and fisheries), renewable energy, aerospace, or information technology sectors.
• Be involved in world-renowned research and projects on an international scale.
• Provide an up-to-date CV.
• Provide a letter of intent stating the topic and summary of the proposed lecture.

Eligible Expenses:

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

• Travel (airfare, car rental, etc.)
• Accommodations
• Food allowance
• Honorariums
• Audiovisual and room rental, etc.

Other Considerations for Eligibility:

• Provincial government employees are ineligible as applicants.
• Applicants in arrears with any Government Department or Crown Corporation will be disqualified from the competition.

Assessment:

Applications to the Premier’s Innovation Speaker Series will be evaluated by a peer review process. The peer review committee of Prince Edward Island researchers and professionals will evaluate the information contained in each application against the program criteria to determine the successful applications.

Level of Assistance:

Approved applicants will be eligible for funding of up to $5,000 per invited guest / speaker to a maximum of $10,000 per project. Funding will be provided in two payments. A portion of the approved funding will be disbursed upon signed confirmation of the terms and conditions of the agreement. The remaining funding will be paid upon completion of the Project, on the condition that the terms of the agreement have been satisfied and appropriate documentation is provided. Innovation PEI will be responsible for the distribution of the funds.

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 Innovation PEI and the applicant(s).

Should the project fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract or be discontinued, Innovation PEI 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.

Intake Deadline:

Full applications for the Premier’s Innovation Speaker Series program will be accepted through to December 16, 2011. Applicants should submit one hard copy and one electronic copy.

For More Information:

Full applications for the Premier’s Medal for Innovation will be accepted through to August 26, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

Applications and instructions are available online at www.islandprosperity.com

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