Introducing the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program
As part of the Government of Canada's digital economy strategy, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) has been selected to deliver the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP) from October 2011 to March 31, 2014. This $80-million, three-year pilot program will spur innovation in, and increase the productivity of, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) that adopt digital technologies and integrate them into their business models.
DTAPP is designed to speed up the rate at which SMEs in Canada adopt complex digital technologies — for example, inventory or supply chain systems, computer-aided design and sensor networks — and build digital skills. Through new and existing networks and relationships with colleges and organizations across Canada, the DTAPP team provides SMEs with access to expertise in the digital technology adoption field. IRAP was selected to deliver DTAPP because of its existing national presence, extensive network of technical experts, and experience working with SMEs and working collaboratively with other government organizations across Canada.
An important component of this pilot program is the assessment and measurement of the outcomes of digital technology adoption on the productivity of SMEs. DTAPP will utilize this aggregate knowledge and transfer successful practices and lessons learned to the broader SME community in order to:
- improve the rate of digital technology adoption by SMEs
- improve their understanding of the link between digital technologies and productivity
- raise awareness of the benefits and importance of adopting these technologies
This information will be critical to encouraging prospective adopters of digital technologies and will continue to impact the potential productivity growth of the Canadian economy well into the future.
IRAP's mission is to stimulate innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises in Canada by helping them to develop technologies and successfully commercialize them in a global marketplace.
For more information
If your firm is incorporated, has 500 employees or less and is currently seeking opportunities to adopt advanced digital technologies with a goal of increasing its productivity, you could be eligible to receive assistance from NRC-IRAP through the DTAPP team. If you are a college or not-for-profit organization interested in delivering services to SMEs to help them to adopt digital technologies, DTAPP could assist you. For more information, please refer to the Eligibility section.
To contact DTAPP, please call toll-free at 1-855-453-3940 or visit the NRC-IRAP website.
