Research & Development Funding

Research & Development Grant, Loan, and Funding Programs Mentor Works Can Write for Your Business.

Research and development activities support innovation and enable Canadian companies to achieve competitive advantages over other domestic and international firms. These types of activities are not just for research-focused companies and large businesses with substantial R&D budgets, but also for smaller companies that seek an edge over products and services that currently dominate the market.

Innovation is a mindset that businesses must adopt to remain a viable choice to customers; without research and development, there will eventually be solutions available to your client base that are more appealing than your offerings. Fortunately, Canadian government funding is available to offset R&D costs and help companies stretch their research budgets.

Mentor Works team of Canadian government grant & loan application writers have an average success rate of 86% across all government funding programs and provide our clients with an average of 95% time savings. Speak with a member of our team to find out what programs your business may be eligible for by calling us at 1-888-599-3111 or visiting our Get Funding Help page.

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Use the filtering options below to help sort the available Canadian government funding programs.

Research Grants and Innovation Funding

Top Funding Programs for Research & Development

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED): Receive up to 69% of labour costs, 36% of contractor costs, and 45% of material costs for R&D projects;
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP): Access up to 60-80% of costs to a max. of $10M per application to accelerate research and development; and
SD Tech Fund: Access up to 40% of project costs for an average funding contribution of $3,000,000 for cleantech projects that aim to improve water, soil, and air quality to reduce the effects of climate change.

Click the + button to preview a program and click the program name to view all info

Funding Programs Region Funding Activity Description Learn More Show on Site? Tags
Accelerating Innovations Into Care Alberta Research & Development
  • Supports the commercialization of health tech via collaborations of Alberta SMEs and public health providers
  • Up to 50% project expenses to a maximum $150,000 contribution
 Yes
Accessible Technology Program (ATP) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports the development and testing of assistive technologies
  • Up to $4M per project/year in non-repayable grants
 Yes software, non profit,
Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) Alberta Research & Development
  • Supports the R&D of tech that provides solutions to the agri-food and bio-industrial sectors
  • Up to 75% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000.
 Yes agri, food
Agricultural Clean Technology Program (ACT) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports research, development and adoption of clean technologies through investments and promotion of agri-based bioproducts
  • Access up to 50-75% of costs to a maximum $5M project
 Yes food, manufacturing, agri,
Alberta Innovates: Industry Commercialization Associates Program Alberta Research & Development
  • Offsets a portion of costs related to hiring an associate to perform technical commercialization activities.
  • Receive up to 75% to max. of $120,000 of the associate’s salary.
 Yes research,
Product Demonstration Program Alberta Research & Development
  • Supports businesses located in Alberta that have commercialization-ready, innovative technology in a variety of fields.
  • Receive up to 50% to maximum of $150,000.
 Yes research, cleantech
Alberta Innovates: Voucher Program Alberta Research & Development
  • Supports Alberta businesses by offseting a portion of costs related to technology development and building a working prototype
  • Access vouchers to offset $10,000 to $100,000 in products or services received to accelerate technology development projects
 Yes
Alberta Media Fund Alberta Research & Development
  • Supports organizations and individuals developing screen-based media, scripts, books, magazines, and sound recordings
  • Up to 18%-50% of eligible costs covered to a maximum $20k-$200k, depending on funding stream
 Yes software,
British Columbia’s Project Feasibility Studies Program British Columbia Research & Development
  • Supports the completion of feasibility studies related to emission-reducing projects for B.C. Reporting Operations.
  • Total funding is less than or equal to 75% of the proposal’s budget of eligible expenses.
 Yes research, feasibility
Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream Canada-wide Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Supports developing, producing, and promoting innovative, interactive software development projects including apps and video games
  • Up to $15k-$1.5M per project phase in grants
 Yes software, cleantech,
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • The Canadian Food Innovation Network’s (CFIN) program is designed to support smart product and process development, food ecosystem sustainability, and agile and safe supply chains.
  • Up to 50% of eligible expenses or up to $2M in cost matching funds per application.
 Yes agri, food
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports municipalities demonstrating an innovative solution or approach to environmental issues
  • Up to $175,000 to cover up to 80% of eligible costs for all three study streams
 Yes non profit,
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Hydrogen Program Alberta Research & Development
  • This program prioritizes solutions along the CCUS value chain to enable broad deployment, low carbon hydrogen technologies across the entire value chain, and next-generation materials and products from natural gas.
  • Up to 25% – 50% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $2M per project.
 Yes cleantech, research, natural gas
CFIN - Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation Canada-wide Research & Development
  • This program provides rapid support to food or beverage manufacturers who want to engage third-party support to analyze the sustainability of their operations.
  • Access 70% non-repayable funding up to a max of $25K.
 Yes food, manufacturing, sustainability
CFIN FoodTech Next Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports early-stage Canadian technology firms who seek to be part of or sell to the wider food industry.
  • Covers up to 50% costs to a max of $250,000 costs.
 Yes food
Clean Fuels Awareness (CFA) Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Funds innovative projects that address knowledge gaps among Canadians on clean fuel technologies.
  • Receive up to $300,000 in Grant Funding.
 Yes municipality, energy, cleantech
Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) Ontario Research & Development
  • Support critical minerals innovation, economic growth, and the Made-in-Ontario supply chain.
  • Access up to 50% of costs to a maximum $500,000.
 Yes minerals, energy, ontario
Customer Demonstration Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports technology demonstrations between two or more Ontario-based businesses
  • Up to 50% coverage of eligible expenses to a maximum $50k
 Yes non profit,
DELIA – NCFDC Canada-wide Capital & Tech Adoption Business Expansion Hiring & Training Research & Development
  • Is a microloan fund for all Canadian Women entrepreneurs in need of funding support for start up, stabilizations and expansion.
  • Up to $15,000 in low-interest loan support
 Yes food, forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, agri
EnAbling Change Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports non-profit organizations on projects that bring awareness to the benefits of accessibility
  • Up to 75% of total costs in grant funding
 Yes non profit
FedDev Ontario Ontario Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Helps to offset upfront project costs and helps southern Ontario businesses grow more quickly
  • Access repayable funding from $125K to a maximum $10M
 Yes exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, cleantech,
Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN) Ontario Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • The program provides matching government funding towards projects that improve and implement greenhouse technologies to support industry innovation.
  • Up to $100,000 in contribution matching resulting in a maximum budget of $200,000 per project.
 Yes food, agri, cleantech
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – National Research Council (NRC) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Designed to accelerate the research and development projects of Canadian innovators
  • Access up to 60-80% of costs to a maximum $10M per application
 Yes software,
Industry R&D Associates Program Alberta Hiring & Training Research & Development
  • Supports hiring an associate to perform technical research and development activities
  • Level 1 – Up to $52,500 annual stipend. Level 2 – Up to $67,500 annual stipend. Additional Expense Allowance of $7,000 annually
 Yes
Innovation for Defence and Security Program (IDEaS) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports pre-commercial military and defence technologies that have the potential to address current challenges faced by Canada’s Armed Forces
  • Access up to $1.2M for initial R&D. Fully-developed solutions may access up to $20M through a procurement program
 Yes
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Helps startups and small businesses overcome technology development hurdles so that they can produce globally-demanded products and services
  • Up to $150k for proof of concept projects, and up to $1M for prototype development, and may also be awarded a government contract
 Yes media, software, cleantech,
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) Ontario Research & Development
  • This program supports innovators, businesses, and researchers at various stages of their IP journey to provide access to expert IP education, financial supports, and mentorship.
  • Up to $100K in government funding.
 Yes ontario, research, training,
Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports Canadian media projects during their concept and production development stages
  • Eligible applicants can receive up to 50% of eligible costs to a maxium of $50,000 for concept and $250,000 for production
 Yes media, software,
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supporting clean technologies in the forest industry during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Applicants can receive 50% of eligible costs up to $20M for the general stream of the program, $1M for the small business stream, and $500K for the studies project stream
 Yes covid, forest, cleantech,
Life Sciences Innovation Fund Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports the process of moving innovative and capital-intensive investment projects from a concept stage to commercialization.
  • Receive up to $500,000 in funding.
 Yes health, tech, life sciences
Matching Investment Fund (MIF) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports Canadian dairy companies with funding to assist in the development of product initiatives that help grow the business for milk and dairy ingredients.
  • Up to $150K in fund matching.
 Yes food, agri,
Mitacs Canada-wide Hiring & Training Research & Development
  • Support businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and hospitals by providing funding and connecting them with highly trained researchers.
  • Funding varies by program.
 Yes research, university, collaborative
Mitacs Accelerate Canada-wide Hiring & Training Research & Development
  • Pairs businesses with Masters, PhD and PDF interns to overcome innovation challenges
  • Matching funds from Mitacs up to $7,500 per 4-6 month internship unit
 Yes cleantech,
Mitacs Elevate Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports industry and academic parterships to solve current issues through innovative means
  • Receive up to $30,000 from Mitacs
 Yes university, college, collaboarative, cleantech, agri,
Museums Assistance Program (MAP) Canada-wide Research & Development Business Expansion Hiring & Training
  • Offers support to workers, collections, skills, and more for museums, heritage institutions, and Indigenous communities.
  • Receive up to 70% of 400K in funding support.
 Yes municipality
NGen AI For Manufacturing Challenge Canada-wide Research & Development Capital & Tech Adoption
  • Supports projects that build advanced manufacturing capacity in Canada and enhance the commercialization of AI and machine learning innovations.
  • Receive up to 35% of $8M in funding support.
 Yes manufacturing, manufacturers, tech, software
NGen Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Value Chain Program Canada-wide Research & Development Capital & Tech Adoption
  • Focuses on manufacturing scale-up along the ZEV value-chain, specifically on BEVs, FCEVs, and their components.
  • Receive up to $2.96M, you can receive non-repayable funding for 37% of your eligible project expenses.
 Yes manufacturing, manufacturers, tech, software
NGen Manufacturing Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supporting technology development that will help Canadian manufacturers compete globally
  • Grants up to 44.4% of eligible expenses with no limit on project size
 Yes manufacturing, manufacturers, municipality, non profit,
NOHFC - INVEST North Program Ontario Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Supporting economic development initiavitves in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance towards projects that diversify their region
  • Receive up to $5,000,000 per project as either a grant or partially foregivable loan
 Yes research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech,
NSERC Alliance Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supporting collaborative R&D projects between Canadian businesses and universities
  • Up to $1,000,000 in grant funding per year
 Yes university, college, collaboarative,
OBIO - Capital Access Advisory Program (CAAP) Ontario Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Supporting companies commercializing health science technologies and the adoption of these technologies by healthcare organizations
  • Up to $250,000 in funding
 Yes research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, tech, auto
OCI - ENCQOR 5G SME Technology Development Program (5G SDP) Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports collaborative 5G technology development projects to develop, integrate, test, or validate pre-commercial 5G technologies.
  • Access up to $50k to $500k in Government Funding per application
 Yes software, cleantech,
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Ontario Research & Development
  • This program offers funding for research and innovation that stimulates the growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
  • Up to $150K - $200K in research funding.
 Yes agri, research, ontario, food
Ontario Genomics’ BioCreate Program Ontario Research & Development
  • The BioCreate program is open to SMEs in southern Ontario seeking to commercialize genomics and engineering biology-enabled products.
  • Receive up to $150,000 in funding support.
 Yes research, biosciences
Ontario Human Capital Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF) Ontario Research & Development
  • Funding research towards ideas and approaches on developing Canada's workforce
  • Covers 100% of eligible expenses to a max of $250,000
 Yes
OVIN - Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) & Smart Mobility Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) development, testing, validation, and demonstration projects.
  • Receive up to $1 Million in funding.
 Yes ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing
OVIN - Electric Vehicle Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Support the development and demonstration of advanced electric vehicles (EVs) and battery manufacturing technologies.
  • Receive up to $3 Million in funding.
 Yes ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing
OVIN - Talent Development Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Combines Ontario companies with top young minds to stimulate industry-driven R&D projects for Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies.
  • Up to $35,000 in grant funding.
 Yes automotive, cleantech,
OVIN - WinterTech Development Program Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports projects related to the development, validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of mobility technologies and services
  • Up to one-third of the eligible project costs up to a maximum of $500,000
 Yes automotive, cleantech,
OVIN (Main Program Page) - Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network Ontario Hiring & Training Research & Development
  • A collaborative network supporting research, development, validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of automotive technologies and services that are tailored to the unique needs of Ontario.
  • Programs offer up to $3 Million in funding.
 Yes ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing
Product Demonstration Program Alberta Research & Development
  • Supporting commercialization-ready tech in the industries of energy, nanotechnology, health, and more
  • Grants covering up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $300,000
 Yes forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software
Protein Industries Canada Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supporting collaborative product or process research, technology development, and export market development projects related to expanding Canada’s plant-based protein sector
  • Offsets up to 50% of eligible project expenses with no defined maximum contribution. Remaining project funds must be supported by at least two project partners
 Yes university, college, collaboarative, health, research, food, agri,
Quantum Leap Funding Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Helps SMEs and Canadian universities with funding to work on innovative pharmaceutical research projects.
  • Receive up to 50-66% of costs to a maximum $1.2 million per eligible project.
 Yes university, college, collaboarative, health, research,
R&D Partnership Fund - Electric Vehicle (EV) Stream 2 Ontario Research & Development
  • Supports the development and demonstration of pre-market technologies the automotive sector
  • 2:1 funding contribution ratio from applicants and/or private sector partners to a max of $1,000,000
 Yes automotive,
Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) in British Columbia British Columbia Research & Development
  • Helps companies develop and market quantum products and solutions for domestic and international markets.
  • Access up to 90% of total project costs with no official maximum allotment announced.
 Yes non profit, collaboarative, research, food, agri, quantum
Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) in Southern Ontario Ontario Research & Development
  • Helps companies develop and market quantum products and solutions for domestic and international markets.
  • Access up to 50% of project costs to a maximum of $500,000 to $5 million.
 Yes non profit, collaboarative, research, food, agri, quantum
Rural Economic Development Fund (RED) Ontario Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Supports regional economic development activities in rural southern Ontario communities
  • Up to 30-50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $150,000-$250,000
 Yes northern ontario, cleantech, agri, municipality, non profit,
Save on Energy Ontario Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Provides businesses within Ontario funding to help transition towards a greener province via energy saving projects.
  • Receive Up to 75% of Costs to a Max of $5M in Funding.
 Yes research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, tech, auto
SCAP - AgriInnovate Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports businesses to commercialize and/or adopt innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes or services
  • Access up to 50% of project expenses to a maximum of $10 million per application
 Yes food, agri,
SCAP – AgriMarketing Canada-wide Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Program will support national agricultural sectors to increase and diversify exports.
  • Up to 50% of eligible costs to a max. of $10M over 5 yrs (max. $2M/yr) in non-repayable funding.
 Yes agri, tech, food
SCAP – AgriScience Program Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Helps agri-food sector accelerate innovation through pre-commercial science activities and research.
  • Up to $5 million can be awarded to this program for a non-repayable portion of the project’s eligible costs.
 Yes agri, tech, food
SCAP - Research and Innovation Program Manitoba Research & Development
  • The Research and Innovation Program supports the development of science-based solutions and tools that address known challenges, prepare for potential disruptions and climate threats, in the agriculture and agri-food sector.
  • Access $100K+ for agricultural research.
 Yes research, agriculture
SCAP (Main Program Page) - Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Canada-wide Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development Hiring & Training
  • Designed to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products industriesin Canada.
  • Funding varies by program.
 Yes agri, tech, food, cleantech, research, northern ontario, manufacturing,
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • One of the largest tax incentive programs available to a wide range of Canadian businesses
  • Access up to 69% of labour and overhead costs, 36% of contractor costs, and 45% of material costs
 Yes research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, tech, auto
SD Tech Fund Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Supports cleantech projects that aim to improve water, soil and air quality to reduce the effects of climate change
  • Access up to 40% of project costs for an average funding contribution of $3,000,000
 Yes agi, software, cleantech,
SONAMI - Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Ontario Research & Development
  • Helps manufacturers and innovation-based businesses overcome innovation challenges
  • Access up to 50% of project costs
 Yes manufacturing, auto,
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Canada-wide Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Supports projects that drive sustained productivity and economic benefits
  • Submit a project budget of at least $20M and access up to 50% of eligible costs
 Yes software, cleantech, municipality, non profit,
Supply Chains and Logistics Excellence AI (SCALE.AI) Canada-wide Research & Development
  • Enhances Canada’s existing supply chain practices by boosting economic development through faster adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Access up to 40% of eligible project costs, with no minimum or maximum investment allocated per project
 Yes software, municipality, non profit,
Western Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program Canada-wide Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development
  • Helps businesses with high growth potential adopt/adapt innovative technologies that support productivity and export expansion
  • Access up to 50% of costs to a maximum $5M per application and $10M per applicant
 Yes forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, covid,
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Research & Development Government Funding News

Research and Development Resources for Canadian Businesses

Because research and development is so critical to the growth of Canadian companies, it’s worthwhile to understand how your organization can support a culture of innovation. Often, its helpful to observe what other companies are doing to create new products and services, then think about how you could undertake similar projects directed towards your clients or offerings. Forward-looking, proactive companies can continuously improve and offer better products/services to customers, which makes planning and execution of projects so important.

What innovative projects will your company complete? Find resources to support your upcoming research and development projects by choosing one of the following options:

Research Resources
Development Resources
Commercialization Resources
Funding Webinars & Events

Research Resources

Early-stage research projects form the basis of successful innovations. Research, often viewed through the lens of technology readiness levels (TRL) include concept evaluation, technology evaluation, and proof-of-concept research. At this phase of innovation, companies work with scientific research or other indicators that there is an opportunity to be exploited. Firms apply these concepts to plan how technology or another form of innovation can provide value to customers. Basic research begins as the solution becomes more defined and the company has a vision for an end-product. Explore the resources below to understand where research fits in your growth plans and develop a strategy for success:

Development Resources

Early-stage research projects form the basis of successful innovations. Research, often viewed through the lens of technology readiness levels (TRL) include concept evaluation, technology evaluation, and proof-of-concept research. At this phase of innovation, companies work with scientific research or other indicators that there is an opportunity to be exploited. Firms apply these concepts to plan how technology or another form of innovation can provide value to customers. Basic research begins as the solution becomes more defined and the company has a vision for an end-product. Explore the resources below to understand where research fits in your growth plans and develop a strategy for success:

Development-Resources-Bubble

Commercialization Resources

When it’s time to bring a product or service to market, commercialization activities begin and technology developers start actively seeking a purchaser. Project activities that typically fall within this area (as defined by technology readiness levels) include operational environment demonstrations, final testing and evaluation, and finally, successful deployment. Commercialization is all about finding someone to buy your innovation; operational environment demonstrations typically require a host organization (often a potential customer) to install the technology and complete tasks with it. This testing provides critical feedback that can be used to make final improvements on the innovation; after one or several rounds of feedback and modifications, the technology becomes ready for deployment. Explore the resources below to understand where technology commercialization fits in your growth plans and develop a strategy for success:

Commercialization-Resources-Bubble

Discover More Funding Resources for Research and Development Projects

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