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.
Use the filtering options below to help sort the available Canadian government funding programs.
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 |
|
Yes | ||
Accessible Technology Program (ATP) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, non profit, | |
Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program (ABIP) | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | agri, food | |
Agricultural Clean Technology Program (ACT) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, manufacturing, agri, | |
Alberta Innovates: Industry Commercialization Associates Program | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, | |
Product Demonstration Program | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, cleantech | |
Alberta Innovates: Voucher Program | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ||
Alberta Media Fund | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, | |
British Columbia’s Project Feasibility Studies Program | British Columbia | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, feasibility | |
Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream | Canada-wide | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, cleantech, | |
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | agri, food | |
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | non profit, | |
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Hydrogen Program | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | cleantech, research, natural gas | |
CFIN - Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, manufacturing, sustainability | |
CFIN FoodTech Next Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | food | |
Clean Fuels Awareness (CFA) Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | municipality, energy, cleantech | |
Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | minerals, energy, ontario | |
Customer Demonstration Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | non profit, | |
DELIA – NCFDC | Canada-wide | Capital & Tech Adoption Business Expansion Hiring & Training Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, agri | |
EnAbling Change Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | non profit | |
FedDev Ontario | Ontario | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, cleantech, | |
Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN) | Ontario | Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, agri, cleantech | |
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – National Research Council (NRC) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, | |
Industry R&D Associates Program | Alberta | Hiring & Training Research & Development |
|
Yes | ||
Innovation for Defence and Security Program (IDEaS) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ||
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | media, software, cleantech, | |
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ontario, research, training, | |
Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | media, software, | |
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | covid, forest, cleantech, | |
Life Sciences Innovation Fund | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | health, tech, life sciences | |
Matching Investment Fund (MIF) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, agri, | |
Mitacs | Canada-wide | Hiring & Training Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, university, collaborative | |
Mitacs Accelerate | Canada-wide | Hiring & Training Research & Development |
|
Yes | cleantech, | |
Mitacs Elevate | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | university, college, collaboarative, cleantech, agri, | |
Museums Assistance Program (MAP) | Canada-wide | Research & Development Business Expansion Hiring & Training |
|
Yes | municipality | |
NGen AI For Manufacturing Challenge | Canada-wide | Research & Development Capital & Tech Adoption |
|
Yes | manufacturing, manufacturers, tech, software | |
NGen Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Value Chain Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development Capital & Tech Adoption |
|
Yes | manufacturing, manufacturers, tech, software | |
NGen Manufacturing Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | manufacturing, manufacturers, municipality, non profit, | |
NOHFC - INVEST North Program | Ontario | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, | |
NSERC Alliance | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | university, college, collaboarative, | |
OBIO - Capital Access Advisory Program (CAAP) | Ontario | Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
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 |
|
Yes | software, cleantech, | |
Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | agri, research, ontario, food | |
Ontario Genomics’ BioCreate Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, biosciences | |
Ontario Human Capital Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF) | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ||
OVIN - Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) & Smart Mobility Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing | |
OVIN - Electric Vehicle Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing | |
OVIN - Talent Development Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | automotive, cleantech, | |
OVIN - WinterTech Development Program | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | automotive, cleantech, | |
OVIN (Main Program Page) - Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network | Ontario | Hiring & Training Research & Development |
|
Yes | ontario, training, automotive, cleantech, software, manufacturing | |
Product Demonstration Program | Alberta | Research & Development |
|
Yes | forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software | |
Protein Industries Canada | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | university, college, collaboarative, health, research, food, agri, | |
Quantum Leap Funding Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | university, college, collaboarative, health, research, | |
R&D Partnership Fund - Electric Vehicle (EV) Stream 2 | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | automotive, | |
Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) in British Columbia | British Columbia | Research & Development |
|
Yes | non profit, collaboarative, research, food, agri, quantum | |
Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) in Southern Ontario | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | non profit, collaboarative, research, food, agri, quantum | |
Rural Economic Development Fund (RED) | Ontario | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | northern ontario, cleantech, agri, municipality, non profit, | |
Save on Energy | Ontario | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, tech, auto | |
SCAP - AgriInnovate | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | food, agri, | |
SCAP – AgriMarketing | Canada-wide | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | agri, tech, food | |
SCAP – AgriScience Program | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | agri, tech, food | |
SCAP - Research and Innovation Program | Manitoba | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, agriculture | |
SCAP (Main Program Page) - Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership | Canada-wide | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development Hiring & Training |
|
Yes | agri, tech, food, cleantech, research, northern ontario, manufacturing, | |
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech, software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, tech, auto | |
SD Tech Fund | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | agi, software, cleantech, | |
SONAMI - Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation | Ontario | Research & Development |
|
Yes | manufacturing, auto, | |
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) | Canada-wide | Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, cleantech, municipality, non profit, | |
Supply Chains and Logistics Excellence AI (SCALE.AI) | Canada-wide | Research & Development |
|
Yes | software, municipality, non profit, | |
Western Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) Program | Canada-wide | Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development |
|
Yes | forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, covid, |
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
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:
- Collaborative Research Project Guide (White Paper)
- IRAP vs. SR&ED (Slide Deck)
- Post-Secondary Research Partnerships: Academic vs. Applied Projects
- IRAP and SR&ED: Innovation Requirements for Research Funding
- Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RIC) Tech Startup Resources
- Canadian Agriculture Research Centres: Funding and Innovation Resources
- NSERC Awards Canadian Technology Grants for Robotic Lumber Application
- AgriScience Invests $6.3M into Agronomy Research for Crop Management
- Energy Innovation Program Awards $2.2M In Clean Technology Grants
- Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program Awards 20 Cross-Provincial Projects
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:
- Collaborative Research Project Guide (White Paper)
- IRAP vs. SR&ED (Slide Deck)
- Post-Secondary Research Partnerships: Academic vs. Applied Projects
- IRAP and SR&ED: Innovation Requirements for Research Funding
- Ontario Regional Innovation Centres (RIC) Tech Startup Resources
- Canadian Agriculture Research Centres: Funding and Innovation Resources
- NSERC Awards Canadian Technology Grants for Robotic Lumber Application
- AgriScience Invests $6.3M into Agronomy Research for Crop Management
- Energy Innovation Program Awards $2.2M In Clean Technology Grants
- Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program Awards 20 Cross-Provincial Projects
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:
- apmaTEC: Autonomous Vehicle Technology Wanted
- 12 Health Tech Projects Invigorated with $5.5M Government Grants
- Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative Invests $20M into 17 BC Companies
- Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative: $21M Supports Alberta Businesses
- $884k Contract Awarded to Military Innovation Through BCIP Funding
Discover More Funding Resources for Research and Development Projects
Ready to enhance your research and innovation capacity?
Mentor Works hosts a variety of events geared towards hiring & training grants and other key topics that are prime candidates for government funding support, including:
- Reduce Employee Training Costs by up to 83%
- Hire and Mentor a Recent Post-Secondary Graduate
- Access University Researchers and Provide Internships
- Manufacturing-Specific Training Grants
Register for an upcoming Canadian government funding event to learn more about how funding works, how to navigate the government funding process, and support services to help develop a successful application.
Mentor Works hosts frequent webinars and live events to help business owners and executives further learn about their funding potential. Register for a session to continue exploring business and export expansion funding.