Network & Membership

Industry Membership is meant for private sector businesses and Indigenous organizations located in Canada. Industry Members are pre-vetted and eligible to apply for OSC funding through our Technology Leadership program.  

 Associate Membership is meant for non-private sector organizations and organizations (including private sector) not incorporated in Canada. These organizations are not eligible to pursue Technology Leadership funding.  

Industry Membership is open to the following organization types:  

• For-profit organizations incorporated in Canada  
• Not-for-profit organizations that facilitate and fund research and development on behalf of the ecosystem and whose funding and/or revenue is received primarily from private-sector or industry organizations  
• Non-federal Crown corporations whose funding is derived from commercial activities  
• Indigenous organizations  

All incorporated organizations and sole proprietors are eligible for OSC Associate membership. This includes not-for-profit, academic and government organizations. Additionally, international organizations, including private sector, that are not incorporated in Canada are eligible for Associate membership.  

OSC membership is designed for organizations and sole proprietors. You can join the OSC through the organization you are involved in, whether it’s a business, not-for-profit, university or an Indigenous organization. If you are looking for ways to be involved as an individual, check out our careers page, or consider joining an ocean non-profit as a volunteer.  

Yes, as a sole proprietor, you can become an Associate Member.  

Yes, if your organization is not incorporated in Canada, you can become an Associate Member. If your business is incorporated in Canada but has its headquarters elsewhere you are still eligible for Industry membership.  

Yes, you are eligible for Industry Membership and can take full advantage of the OSC funding and networks.  

Not-for-profit organizations that facilitate and fund research and development on behalf of the ecosystem and whose funding and/or revenue is received primarily from private-sector or industry organizations are eligible for Industry Membership with the OSC.  

As an Indigenous organization, you are eligible to become an Industry Member and pursue OSC’s Technology Leadership funding. More information about the application process can be found here. Additionally, the OSC runs dedicated Indigenous Engagement programs. Please see the website to find out more or reach out to our Indigenous Engagement Manager.  

Yes, the OSC membership is free of charge. The OSC will only ask for Cluster Building Contribution from our Investing Industry Members – organizations who are receiving funding from the OSC.   

Cluster Building Contributions are financial contributions made by organizations that are receiving funding from the OSC to help build the ecosystem needed to support the accelerated activity in ocean in Canada. Cluster Building Contributions are deducted from the OSC matched funding on a quarterly basis and support the implementation of non-commercial, Innovation Ecosystem projects within priority areas of the OSC that help address key challenges of the ocean economy in Canada, such as access to talent, Indigenous engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and promoting Canada internationally. You can read more about these initiatives here. The rate of Cluster Building Contributions is 12.75%.  

Becoming an OSC member is not a requirement to submit the Expression of Interest, which is the first step to apply for the OSC funding. Once you are invited to submit the full proposal, we request the lead applicant to become an OSC member prior to the deadline of submitting the full proposal.  

However, we do recommend becoming an OSC member as soon as possible, as it comes with additional benefits described in more detail below. 

The OSC project funding mechanism is described in detail here.  

Cluster Building Contributions help fund Innovation Ecosystem Projects. More information can be found here and here. 

More information about available funding can be found here. 

The OSC will help you expand your network by strategically connecting you with 900+ other members. It will enable new business development opportunities and help you find collaborative partners. OSC membership gets you access to curated events, marketing, and communication that can help promote your business. 

There are many benefits of membership with the OSC. Some of them include:  

• Access to the network of organizations building the ocean economy in Canada. You can find partners, collaborators, and clients in our growing network. 
• Invitations to curated events throughout the year that include business matchmaking events, roundtables dedicated to specific topics, all member events, webinars and more. 
• Access to invite-only Member Portal and closed Slack group where you can find and directly contact other members of the OSC. 
• Possibility to submit your marketing materials to the OSC and have them featured across OSC communication platforms that include social media, newsletter, physical booths at trade shows and more.  
• Support in creating sustainable relationships with Indigenous rightsholders and diverse industry members.  
• Access to information about available funding.  
• Access member services, such as access to talent, Intellectual Property know-how, best-in-practice talent seminars, talent-matching, and talent programming.  
• Support in creating sustainable relationships with indigenous rightsholders and diverse industry members.  

OSC members are organizations working directly or indirectly in the ocean economy. We have members across all provinces and most territories in Canada, who span ocean-related (and more) industries. OSC members include Indigenous organizations, First Nations, academic organizations, government from all levels, non-profits and private sector organizations. We also have international members in 10 countries outside of Canada, including the United States, the UK, France, Norway and India.  

Your membership does not have an end term and doesn’t have to be renewed.  

There are several ways of staying up to date with the news:  

• Sign up for the OSC newsletter and receive communication from us on a regular basis  
• Follow the OSC on social media: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok  
• Become a member and receive curated, member-only communication  
• Visit our website frequently  
• How do I join Canada’s Ocean Supercluster as a member?
  To join as a member, fill out the Member Signup Form available on our website. Once we receive your application, you will receive a welcome message with details and the first steps on your member journey.  

No, the OSC is an independent member-led, industry-driven not-for-profit organization. The OSC co-invests with industry in projects, and receives funding from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.  

The Board of Directors of the OSC is a competency-based model. Directors are elected by Investing Industry Members at the Annual General Meeting. Directors are elected for a term of up to three years, to be determined at the discretion of the Nominations Committee, and subject to renewal if determined appropriate. The current composition of the Board can be found here.