Research to Social Innovation Incubator (R2SI)
Supporting innovators develop, validate, and scale social impact.
Applications for this program are now closed.
Application Deadline
August 6, 2025.
Start date
Late August/Early September
Duration
Up to 6 months
Time commitment
5-7 hours/month
Location
Hybrid (in-person and virtual programming)
About the program
Through this program, we will work together to take your evidence-based solution to the next level by providing tech transfer expertise and wrap around services focused on scaling your social impact, whether you’re a researcher looking to launch a new service or product, a founder looking for support to validate and grow your traction, or an organization looking to test a new program or pivot in a new direction to strengthen your social impact.
As an R2SI fellow, you will receive regular coaching, expert advising, skills-based workshops, and join a community of support with like-minded innovators. Program duration is responsive to the Fellows who can remain in the cohort for a few months, or up to 6 months, depending on their needs.
The application deadline for this round is August 6. Applications for this program are now closed.
What to expect
You will get training and support to help you launch and/or scale your venture. This includes:
- Bi-weekly coaching with Innovation Managers with expertise in social enterprise and social innovation
- Monthly CEO roundtable focused on driving to revenue and sustainability
- Meetings with an industry mentor to tap into their technical expertise and move your key milestones forward
- Skills development workshops driven by the needs of the cohort
Entry requirements
- A commitment to attend core program offerings over 6 months – roughly 5-7 hrs/month through bi-weekly coaching sessions; monthly CEO roundtable; industry mentor meetings (as needed); and relevant workshops
- A basic version of a novel product, service, or offering in place, or actively in development (e.g. a minimum viable product that is being developed or refined) that we can work together to launch or scale
- Social impact is a core part of your venture/project’s mission and vision
How to apply
Recruitment
- Applications for this program are now closed.
Selection
- Answer any additional follow-up questions from the program manager (by email or brief interview)
Onboarding
- Develop a 6-month plan with your coach identifying key milestones for launching and/or scaling your venture, and meet other social-impact focused teams in your cohort to share knowledge and build community.
Past Fellows
Elena Esina
Shift to Learn
Alicia Nahmad Vasquez
MI Toolbox
Amie Liddle
Querulous Complaint Assessment Instrument and Process (QCAIP)
Andrew Sofin
Brief Crisis Therapy Institute
Elaine Joughin & Shafique Pirani
Ponseti Clubfoot Navigator: Clinical Decision Support Platform for Ponseti Clubfoot Treatment
Prasanthi Naidoo & Simpie Gill
Joberfer
Mona Aboumrad
LendHand
Alexandra Stante
Rebelle Money
River Wearmouth
Queer Calgary
Benedicta Asante
The use of technology to help immigrant survivors of domestic violence
Merlin Thompson
Teach Music 21C
Dora Tam
YouthC
Jan Ooi
Ensemble Healthcare Ltd
Keara Gillis & Sarah Mateshaytis
Collectively Tangled Counselling & Consulting
Mitch Osmond & Jeff Bell
ProNotes Music Inc.
