CENGN - Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Canada - Start-ups and early-stage technology companies - Technology firms developing innovative products, applications, or services - Entrepreneurs and innovators with commercializable technology - Organizations must have a Canadian presence and operations - Joint ventures and consortiums of eligible entities may apply ### 💰 Funding Details - In-kind infrastructure support valued at $5+ million - No direct cash grant – funding provided through access to testing, validation, and development resources - No matching requirement – however, applicants may contribute resources or co-invest - Non-repayable – infrastructure and support are provided at no cost or nominal fees - Project duration varies based on scope and complexity - No equity stake or royalty obligations for participants ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Technology testing and validation using CENGN's advanced network infrastructure - Next-generation network (5G, 6G, IoT) development and proof-of-concept - Product commercialization support and market readiness activities - Engineering and technical consulting services provided by CENGN team - Network simulation, prototyping, and trials - Application and service development leveraging CENGN facilities - Regulatory compliance testing for communications technologies - Access to specialized laboratory equipment and testbeds ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Selection process is competitive; not all applicants are approved - Clear commercialization pathway required – projects must demonstrate viable market potential - Intellectual property (IP) ownership remains with the applicant/company - Confidentiality agreements may be required to protect sensitive technology - Project milestones and reporting – regular progress updates and deliverables required - Timeline commitment – participant must dedicate resources and personnel to project execution - Technology focus – projects must align with next-generation network priorities (5G, 6G, IoT, edge computing) - **