The grant application period for 2026-27 funding is now closed.
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About the IP Clinics Program
The Intellectual Property (IP) Clinics Program is a grant program designed to support free or low- cost access to basic IP advisory services and to foster the development of future IP experts by increasing university students' exposure to IP issues.
Program update
The IP Clinics Program, originally known as the Intellectual Property Legal Clinics Program, is intended to encourage the establishment or enhancement of IP clinics within Canadian university law and business schools.
A total of $400,000 is available annually in grants for university law and business schools accredited by the relevant provincial body. Grant funding is provided on an annual basis, and the maximum amount payable to an eligible university law school or business school is $100,000 per year.
Program objectives
The program enables university law and business students to learn more about IP, helps businesses better understand their IP needs and facilitates access to professionals who can provide quality IP advice. Through university-based IP clinics, the program improves understanding of IP among those they serve and increases access to IP services for small and medium-sized enterprises, women and Indigenous innovators as they seek to develop effective IP strategies and protect their innovations.
This program contributes to the objectives of Canada's Intellectual Property Strategy by helping Canadian innovators and entrepreneurs better understand, protect and commercialize IP.
A key objective of this program is to encourage university students to recognize the potential value of IP in business ventures and, where appropriate, integrate an IP strategy into business planning. To support this objective, funding initiatives that feature an interdepartmental or cooperative component are encouraged.
Apply for a grant
The deadline to apply for 2026-27 funding has passed. Please refer to the program guide for more information about the IP Clinics Program, eligibility, the assessment process and the application process.
Grant recipients
Through this program, the Government of Canada has funded projects at several universities to develop or expand IP clinic training and services. Since the launch of the program, the following Canadian university law and business programs have been selected to receive funding:
- York University – IP Osgoode – IP Innovation Clinic
- Queen's University – Business Law Clinic
- Université de Montréal – Intellectual Property Legal Clinic (in French only)
- Dalhousie University – initio Technology & Innovation Law Clinic
- Western University – Western Intellectual Property & Innovation Legal Clinic
- University of Ottawa – Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic
- University of Ottawa - Norton Rose Fulbright Entrepreneurship & Innovation Legal Clinic
- University of Windsor – International IP Clinic
- University of British Columbia – Peter A. Allard School of Law
- University of Calgary – Faculty of Law
- Lakehead University – Bora Laskin Faculty of Law
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Lincoln Alexander School of Law
- University of Alberta – River City Venture Clinic
- Wilfrid Laurier University – Lazaridis Intellectual Property Lab
- University of Victoria – Gustavson School of Business
- Algoma University – Faculty of Business and Economics
- Université de Sherbrooke – Business Law Clinic (in French only)
- University of Manitoba – L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts
- University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management
- Université du Québec à Montréal – School of Management