Funding and support opportunities

Clean tech supports offered by federal, provincial and territorial governments. Includes funding, loans, wage subsidies, collaboration opportunities, tax credits and more.

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Clean tech funding options and benefits

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Sustainable Jobs Training Fund

Federal funding to support a series of training projects that will help workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in the low-carbon economy.

Funding amount:

$8,000,000 to $15,000,000 per project

Funding for a series of projects offering free or low-cost training. This training will help workers upgrade or gain new skills for jobs in the low-carbon economy. Projects must focus on 1 of the following 3 priorities:

  • low-carbon energy and carbon management
  • green buildings and retrofits
  • electric vehicle maintenance and charging infrastructure

Organizations must be 1 of the following:

  • not-for-profit organizations
  • for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous organizations
  • provincial and territorial governments

The program is accepting applications until May 15, 2024

Energy Innovation Program - Battery Industry Acceleration Call

Funding to support technologies that accelerate battery value chain decarbonization, security, and competitiveness for Canada.

Research and Development Projects:

The program funds a contribution up to 75% of the total project cost with a minimum contribution of $500,000 up to a maximum contribution of $3,000,000.

Demonstration Projects:

The program funds a contribution up to 50% of the total project cost with a minimum contribution of $1,000,000 up to a maximum contribution of $5,000,000.

The program supports research and development or demonstration projects focused on the following four elements of the battery value chain:

  • materials (anode and cathode active materials and precursors)
  • components (electrolyte, current collectors, additives, etc.)
  • cell
  • pack

Research and Development projects must have a current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-5 and must target the following call priority:

  • improved performance, affordability, supply chain resiliency, and/or environmental footprint of batteries.

Demonstration projects must have a current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6-8, to support the following call priorities:

  • demonstrating improved performance and/or cost of batteries for mobility and/or stationary storage applications
  • scale-up of non-commercial chemistries, advanced manufacturing processes, and/or processing techniques of battery production
  • novel use cases and/or business model innovation for batteries

Organizations must be for-profit legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada

Deadline for Expression of Interest applications: April 29, 2024

CanExport Innovation

Innovators from Canadian organizations may access funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology. The program covers costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners.

Funding is provided on a cost-sharing basis between the recipient and CanExport Innovation.

The applicant may submit a maximum budget of $100,000; there is no set minimum.

The program funds up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $75,000 in funding per project. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% (in-kind contributions are not permitted).

Eligible organizations must meet basic eligibility by demonstrating that they:

  • are registered in Canada
  • have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
  • own or co-own intellectual property rights (IP) for the technology featured in the application and/or have appropriate decision-making authority over the IP
  • have a prototype for the technology and be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher, as per Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada definitions
  • intend to commercially launch the technology within 5 years

Eligible Canadian organizations are:

  • Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): for-profit companies with fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees. (Be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative in Canada. Sole proprietorships are ineligible.)
  • Academic institutions: recognized Canadian educational institutions dedicated to education and research
  • Non-government research centres: research organizations that are not wholly or majority funded by the government

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allocated.

CanExport SMEs

Funding to support the export efforts of Canadian companies who are the primary producers of goods and services and/or key players in the exportation of Canadian goods and services, into new international markets. The program funds projects that have the potential to contribute significantly to Canada's economic growth through international business development activities.

Funding is provided in the form of cost-sharing between the recipient and CanExport SME. The applicant may apply for funding with a minimum budget of $20,000 and up to $100,000 per project.

The program funds up to 50% of eligible costs from $10,000 to $50,000 in funding per project. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 50% (in-kind contributions are not permitted).

To be eligible, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Be for-profit
  • Be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative in Canada
  • Have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
  • Have fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
  • Have between $100,000 and $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada during its last complete tax reporting year (or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers)

Eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises

Accepting applications until May 31, 2024 for projects beginning on or after April 1, 2024.

Energy Innovation Program – Methane Measurement and Mitigation Call for Proposals

Investment in Canadian expertise to accelerate development of more effective knowledge and technologies for methane measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV), as well as the mitigation or elimination of methane emissions in Canada.

Focus area 1: Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

The program funds up to 75% of the total project cost with a minimum contribution of $250,000 up to a maximum contribution of $5,000,000.

Focus area 2: Mitigation of Methane Slip

The program funds up to 50% of the total project cost with a minimum contribution of $500,000 up to a maximum contribution of $3,000,000.

The program supports projects focussed on the development and demonstration of technologies and related scientific activities. Technology development projects must start at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5-8, and be ready for field trials and/or demonstration to generate immediate impact on methane emission measurement and/or mitigation. Related scientific activities such as measurement or verification approaches or frameworks must be able to describe potential for impact.

Focus area 1: Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

Funding to support the following:

  • Improved accuracy of detection, quantification, and localization of methane emissions in the oil and gas sector for effective design of mitigation solutions
  • Reduction of uncertainties in methane emissions measurement and quantification
  • Improved methods for the integration and/or standardization of multi-scale methane emissions data
  • Improved approaches for timely reporting of emissions data to track the performance of producers' emission reduction initiatives and provide actionable information to stakeholders

Focus area 2: Mitigation of Methane Slip

Funding to support the following:

  • Development of technologies that can be deployed at scale in the near term to mitigate fugitive unburned methane (methane slip) from non mobile combustion engines and related stationary systems in the energy sector

Eligible Canadian recipients are:

  • Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including:
    • For profit and not for profit organizations;
    • Community groups; or
    • Canadian academic institutions.
  • Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.
  • Indigenous:
    • Indigenous communities or governments;
    • Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council);
    • National and regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations; or
    • Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.

Deadline for Expression of Interest Applications: April 17, 2024

Register for the virtual Methane call information session on March 26, 2024 at 1:00pm ET

Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Program

Federal funding for Indigenous-led awareness and education projects for cleaner transportation and clean fuels

Supports Indigenous-led projects that aim to address awareness and knowledge gaps related to all types of ZEVs, lower-carbon medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and clean fuels, such as clean hydrogen and biofuels.

Eligible project activities:

  • developing in-person or online education and/or awareness events, such as test drive opportunities
  • developing curriculum or training material
  • outreach and awareness campaigns
  • creating web-based resources
  • developing in-person professional training or industry-led skills training
  • increasing knowledge of charging & refuelling and/or clean-fuel options and technologies
  • Indigenous communities or governing body
    • a First Nation (band or council under the Indian Act)
    • a tribal council
    • an Inuit organization
    • another form of government or representative organization; or
  • For-profit or not-for-profit business or organization that clearly demonstrates ownership and controlling interests by Indigenous groups

Call for proposals with continuous intake open until March 31, 2024, or until funds are fully allocated.

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT)

Funding to support demonstration and adoption projects that contribute to the decarbonization of industrial processes, as well as efficient use of resources that generates more value from the same amount of wood. IFIT also supports projects that integrate technologies leading to greater energy efficiency and explores bioenergy carbon capture in forest sector operations.

The IFIT program provides support to industry through two funding streams:
  • Stream 1: Capital Investment Projects: transformative projects by forest sector firms to diversify product streams, promote responsible resource use, and improve environmental performance.
  • Stream 2: Studies: studies by forest sector firms or industry accelerators that aim to advance key topics for innovation with widespread sharing of results.
Each project can receive up to $10 million in non-repayable contributions in the capital investment stream, and up to $1 million in the studies stream.
All IFIT eligible expenditures must be incurred and paid on or before March 31, 2026. However, completion of physical work paid for by the applicant or the applicant's partner(s) may extend past the program's end date, up to March 31, 2028, to allow recipients to complete project work.

Eligible Capital Investment projects (Stream 1) must meet all the following criteria:

  • be primarily based on wood fibre OR integrated within new or existing industrial processes in the forest sector;
  • represent an innovative advancement of a technology or process improvement to ensure the competitiveness of operations in Canada's forest sector; and
  • demonstrate a first-in-kind innovation or an early adoption of technology that requires further de-risking in a range of conditions before widespread implementation.

Eligible Studies projects (Stream 2) must meet all the following criteria:

  • advance a concept, technology, process, or product primarily based on wood fibre OR integrated within new or existing industrial processes in the forest sector;
  • investigate the feasibility and/or advance a concept within the targeted innovation categories described in the following section;
  • disseminate project learnings beyond the applicant's corporate structure.
IFIT funding is open to the following applicants:

Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including: for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as companies, industry associations, research associations, and Indigenous organizations and groups.

Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.

Ongoing until June 30, 2024
Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program

Funding that encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects with the aims to advance long-term priorities regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.

The GCWood program provides non-repayable contributions of up to $1.4 million of a project's eligible costs. GCWood invests in wood construction projects that generate many benefits, including:
  • reduced GHG emissions from renewable and sustainable resources that help decarbonize the built environment;
  • accelerated adoption of innovative building technologies and systems;
  • updated building codes that allow for taller and larger wood buildings;
  • affordable housing and community infrastructure
GCWood funding is open to the following applicants:

Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including: for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as companies, industry associations, and research associations, Indigenous organizations and groups.

Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.

Ongoing until June 30, 2024

Business Development Bank of Canada Climate Tech Venture Fund II

A climate fund investing in Canadian climate technology firms demonstrating high potential growth.

$400 million fund, advisory team who works in close partnership with portfolio companies, providing advice, and industry connections.

Focus

  • Late-stage seed to growth stage capital
  • Impactful technologies that materially reduce GHG emissions
  • Hard technologies (capital intensive business models)
  • Defensible proprietary intellectual property
  • Demonstrated market traction / validated product-market fit
  • Clear line of sight to achieve commercial scale and profitability

Firms developing technology that materially mitigates GHG emissions in themes of:

  • Electrification & mobility
  • Built environment
  • Carbon capture, utilization, conversion and sequestration
  • Low-carbon fuels and energy
  • Farms, forest & food
Ongoing

Business Development Bank of Canada Industrial Innovation Venture Fund

Direct investment and support to management teams looking to expand firm sizes.

Early stage funding

Focus

  • Early-stage equity investment – Series A and beyond
  • Seeking Canadian companies with demonstrated market validation
  • Supporting companies in sectors of Canadian economic advantage

Canadian companies with solutions for strategic industries including:

  • Manufacturing 4.0
  • Agri-tech and Food-tech
  • Extractive industries (Mining, Oil & Gas, etc.)
Ongoing

Business Development Bank of Canada Sustainability Venture Fund

Venture fund dedicated to investing in businesses developing technologies that will support Canada and the world meet sustainability and climate targets.

The program provides equity investments. The Sustainable Venture Fund will invest in technologies in line with four key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) leveraging Canada's strengths and areas of opportunity: sustainable communities and cities, responsible production and consumption, climate action as well as clean and affordable energy. In particular, the Fund will focus on SaaS, hardware-enabled software, and software-led companies. The Fund will invest in seed to Series A and B highly scalable companies with capital and asset light business models. Continuous application

AgriScience Program – Projects Component

Federal funding and support for pre-commercial science activities and research that benefits the agriculture and agri-food sector and Canadians.

AgriScience provides non-repayable contribution funding and/or collaborative research and development support.

The maximum funding for any single project is $5 million over the duration of the program (2023 to 2028).

The maximum total funding available under the projects component of the program is $10 million over the duration of the program (2023 to 2028).

On the innovation continuum, eligible activities range from applied research and development to technology and knowledge transfer (TRL 4 to 7).

Eligible areas of research include: health claims and human clinical trials, variety development, pest and disease surveillance, and Indigenous knowledge and science priorities.

The following types of organizations can apply:

  • For-profit organizations, including communes
  • Not-for-profit organizations, including associations, clubs, co-operatives, societies and sector councils
  • Indigenous individuals and organizations

Applications will be accepted until funding has been fully committed or until otherwise announced.

The program ends March 31, 2028.

AgriInnovate Program

Federal funding for commercialization, demonstration and/or adoption of innovative technologies and processes that increase agricultural and agri-food sector competitiveness and sustainability benefits.

AgriInnovate provides repayable contributions of up to $5 million to cover 50% of eligible project costs. The program may provide an additional 10% on the cost-share ratio where the majority of the business (more than 50%) is owned or led by one or more under-represented groups.

On the innovation continuum, the program starts at the "technology demonstration" phase through to the "technology adoption" phase.

Priority areas of focus include but not limited to:

  • advanced manufacturing
  • automation
  • robotics
  • digitization

For-profit organizations incorporated in Canada are eligible to apply.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until the end of the program on March 31, 2028, or until funding has been fully committed or otherwise announced here.

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.

Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative

Federal funding for projects that facilitate the accelerated development of deep retrofits in commercial, institutional or mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings in Canada.

The program's total available funding is $185.5 million, spread over four fiscal years (2023/24 to 2026/27).

The total available funding will reimburse recipients up to:

  • 100% of total eligible expenditures for:
    • provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments
    • Indigenous governments or organizations
    • not-for-profit organizations
  • 75% of total eligible expenditures for:
    • for-profit organizations

Eligible projects facilitate the accelerated development of deep retrofits for commercial buildings of any size, institutional buildings of any size, and/or mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings, and include each of the following four elements:

  • Identifying and/or aggregating deep retrofit projects.
  • Guiding individual building owners in the process of developing and implementing specific deep retrofit projects.
  • Identifying available funding and financing for specific deep retrofit projects.
  • Conducting capacity building activities, such as developing or implementing novel, standardized, or replicable approaches to deep retrofits.

Eligible recipients:

  • Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
  • Canadian provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies government
  • Indigenous governing bodies, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and communities

Indigenous applicants can submit an application until March 31, 2025.

Codes Acceleration Fund

Federal funding to advance the Government of Canada's action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption to fight climate change while strengthening the economy.

Approximately $80 million is available for Stream 1.

Approximately $20 million is available for Stream 2.

These amounts are subject to change.

Stream 1 will provide financial support to provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous governments and communities that have the authority to adopt energy codes, to support their efforts to accelerate code adoption, and to address gaps in code compliance and enforcement in their jurisdiction.

Stream 2 will fund organizations that do not have the authority to adopt building energy codes to deliver projects that contribute to code adoption, compliance, and enforcement, either within a single jurisdiction, or preferably on a broader scale. This may include developing training, tools, resources, and other capacity building activities.

Stream 1:

  • Canadian provincial, territorial and regional and municipal governments
  • Indigenous governing bodies, organizations (for profit and not-for-profit) and communities

Stream 2:

  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Regional and municipal governments
  • Utilities
  • For-profit organizations
  • Indigenous governing bodies, organizations (for profit and not-for-profit) and communities

Accepting proposals from Indigenous applicants until March 31, 2025.

Clean Fuels Fund – Establishing Biomass Supply Chains

Federal funding for domestic biomass feedstock infrastructure.

By supporting domestic biomass feedstock infrastructure projects, we can:

  • minimize feedstock supply risks
  • enable access to stranded or underused biomass resources
  • seek to increase the economically viable biomass supply radius

Eligible projects:

Capital biomass supply chain projects that use technologies in advanced stages of technological readiness (TRL-9) and that are designed for commercial deployment.

Feasibility studies, basic engineering studies and detailed front-end engineering studies to assess the new build or expansion of low carbon fuel production facilities. In addition, feasibility studies to assess the feasibility of establishing a regional biomass supply chain risk rating.

Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including not-for-profit and for-profit organizations such as:

  • electricity or gas utilities
  • private sector companies
  • industry associations
  • research associations
  • standards organizations
  • Indigenous and community groups
  • Canadian academic institutions
  • provincial, territorial, regional or municipal governments or their departments or agencies where applicable

The program is no longer accepting applications from non-Indigenous applicants. Indigenous applications will be received on a continuous intake basis until funding is no longer available.

Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance for Clean Energy Equipment

Federal tax deduction for clean energy equipment and equipment for manufacturing and processing goods.

Enhanced CCA allowance permitting full (100%) expensing of the capital costs of specified clean energy generation and conservation equipment in the year they become available for use (reduces taxable income).

Clean energy equipment (classes 43.1 and 43.2) acquired after November 20, 2018.

Canadian taxpayers.

The enhanced CCA rate will progressively decrease after 2023 until it is phased out in 2028.

Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream

Federal funding to develop or improve agricultural technology.

The maximum amount payable to a recipient will generally not exceed $2 million per project.

The maximum amount payable to a recipient with multiple projects will generally not exceed $5 million.

Applied research and development of clean technologies:

  • piloting and evaluating clean technologies
  • demonstration and knowledge and technology transfer activities
  • commercializing and scaling up clean technologies
  • other activities that support the Research and Innovation Stream as determined by the program

For-profit organizations, including agri-food processors.

Not-for-profit organizations, including co-operatives.

Indigenous groups.

Accepting applications.

Environmental Employability Pathways

Employment readiness program seeking to provide youth with sustained employment in the Canadian Environmental sector.

Employers can receive up to $15,000 in wage funding.

Youth participants will develop skills and gain experience with leadership and teambuilding in the Canadian Environmental sector.

The program supports 12 week long meaningful work experiences in the Canadian Environmental sector, including resource sectors, environmental assessment-post secondary institutions, and Indigenous scientific, environmental and technology associations.

All Canadian youth aged 15 to 30 with a focus on youth facing barriers related to being part of one or more of the following groups: young women, visible minority youth, Indigenous youth, youth living with a disability and official language minority communities and populations.

Businesses of all sizes.

Accepting applications.

Atlantic investment tax credit

Tax credit for investment in specified energy generation and conservation property in the Atlantic Region.

Tax credit of 10% of the capital cost of prescribed energy generation and conservation properties.

Specified energy generation and conservation properties (Classes 43.1 and 43.2) to be used in the Atlantic Region primarily for any of the following:

  • manufacturing or processing goods for sale or lease
  • farming or fishing
  • logging
  • storing grain

Eligible energy generation and conservation property must meet either of the following:

  • have been acquired after March 28, 2012
  • be leased in the ordinary course of carrying on business in Canada by a corporation
  Accepting applications.

Canadian Commercial Corporation

Federal funding for government-to-government procurement.

Services:

  • Access foreign government procurement decision-makers
  • Speed up sales to foreign governments
  • Gain a competitive advantage
  • Minimize political, business and payment risk
 

The CCC's services can help whether your company is large or small, if you have products or services suitable for foreign government buyers or government-owned enterprises.

Contact:

Pursuing a foreign government contract?

Call 1-800-748-8191 or contact CCC by email to find out how.

Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expense (CRCE)

Federal tax deductions related to start-up costs of eligible clean energy generation and energy conservation projects.

Tax measure.

Expenses can be:

  • deducted in full in the year incurred
  • carried forward indefinitely for use in future years
  • transferred to investors using flow-through shares

Eligible expenditures:

  • Specified start-up expenses related to the development of eligible clean energy generation and energy conservation projects (e.g., engineering and design work, and feasibility studies)
  • The majority of the tangible property in the project must be eligible for inclusion in Classes 43.1 or 43.2 of depreciable property

Budget 2021

  • Expanded the list of eligible cleantech equipment acquired and available for use after April 18, 2021
  • Certain fossil-fuelled and low efficiency waste-fuelled electrical generation equipment that become available for use after 2024 are removed from the list

Canadian taxpayers

Ongoing.

Canada Digital Adoption Program: Boost Your Business Technology

Federal funding for Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies.

Eligible businesses can receive:

  • Access to a marketplace of digital adoption experts to help them develop a digital adoption plan tailored to their needs
  • A grant covering up to 90% of the eligible cost of retaining the services of a digital advisor, up to a maximum grant value of $15,000 per SME, to develop a digital adoption plan
  • The opportunity to secure a 0% interest loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to facilitate the acquisition of new technology
  • The help of talented post-secondary students and recent graduates through subsidized work placements (wage subsidy up to $7,300)
 

Your business must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be incorporated federally or provincially, or be a Canadian resident sole proprietor
  • Be a for-profit, privately owned business
  • Have between 1 – 499 full time equivalent employees
  • Have at least $500,000 of annual revenues in one of the previous three tax years

Accepting applications.

Canada Digital Adoption Program: Grow Your Business Online

Federal funding for small businesses looking to take advantage of e-commerce opportunities.

Eligible businesses can receive a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies.

The adoption of digital technologies that enable businesses to serve existing customers more effectively and to attract new customers in the digital marketplace.

Small business that meets all of the following criteria:

  • Is a for-profit business (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives)
  • Is a registered or incorporated business
  • Is a consumer-facing business
  • Can be accessed by consumers or provides in-person services to consumers
  • Has at least one employee
  • Must commit to maintaining digital adoption strategy for six months after participation in the program

Accepting applications.

Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF): Offshore Deployment Program

Federal funding for transitioning to a low-carbon future in offshore oil and gas.

Interest-free repayable contributions.

The minimum contribution payable under any single contribution agreement is $100,000 dollars. The maximum amount, per eligible recipient, is the full funding amount available under the Program.

Projects that result in the reduction or elimination of greenhouse gas and other pollution emissions.

Projects that result in measurable environmental performance improvements, particularly in relation to monitoring of spills or unintended release, detection, and response.

Companies and organizations who operate in, or directly support, upstream oil and gas in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador offshore area.

Accepting applications on a continuous basis.

Export Development Canada

Support and funding for Canadian businesses looking to export.

EDC supports Canadian businesses through investments, credit insurance, buyer financing, information, networking, and more.

Eligibility varies by program.

EDC offers trade expertise to businesses specializing in clean tech in addition to specialized trade expertise to women, Black Canadian and Indigenous-owned businesses.

Accepting applications.

Industrial Research Assistance Program

Federal funding for technology innovations and expert business and technical advice.

Maximum: $10 million.

Contact NRC IRAP to find out if your business is eligible for NRC IRAP support.

Incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

Plan to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada.

Accepting applications.

Incentives for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles (iMHZEV) Program

Federal incentive for Canadian organizations (for profit and non-profit), provinces, territories and municipalities to purchase/lease MHZEVs.

Incentives up to $200,000 per vehicle.

There is a limit to how many eligible ZEVs Canadian businesses can purchase or lease under the iMHZEV Program. Businesses and provincial/territorial and municipal governments operating fleets are eligible for up to 10 incentives (or a maximum of $1,000,000) under this Program in a calendar year.

Consult the List of eligible vehicles under the iMHZEV Program.

To be eligible under the iMHZEV Program, an eligible recipient organization must:

  • be a Canadian Business / Organization with an office registered in Canada.
Accepting applications.

Jobs and Growth Fund

Federal funding to help create jobs and position local economies for long-term growth.

Businesses: interest-free repayable contributions for up to 50% of eligible costs

Not-for-profit organizations: non-repayable contributions for up to 90% of eligible costs.

Indigenous-led business and organizations: non-repayable contributions for up to 100% of eligible costs.

Include, among others, activities that support the transition to a clean economy, such as:

  • Supporting the development and adoption of clean technology
  • Helping communities and businesses plan and drive clean, sustainable economic growth
  • Partnering with organizations to catalyze the development of green regional clusters
  • Working with organizations supporting businesses to transition to a green economy

Incorporated businesses

Not-for-profit organizations

Municipalities

Post-secondary institutions

Provinces and territories

Indigenous organizations

Accepting applications.

Northern REACHE Program

Federal funding for more sustainable Northern communities.

 

Eligible projects will focus on proven technologies such as:

  • Solar
  • Wind
  • Energy storage
  • Hydro
  • Biomass heating
  • Residual heat recovery
  • LED lighting
  • First Nation and Inuit communities
  • First Nation and Inuit development corporations
  • Municipalities
  • Indigenous organizations
  • Territorial governments and their organizations
  • Regional governments
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Modern land claim organizations
  • First Nation self-government
Accepting applications.

NSERC Alliance Grants

Federal funding for natural science and engineering R&D projects.

Grants of $20,000 to $1 million per year.

Alliance grants support projects of varying scale and complexity, from short-term smaller projects to one-on-one collaborations with one partner organization to projects involving many partner organizations across multiple sectors.

University researchers collaborating with private-sector, public-sector or not-for-profit organizations.

Accepting applications.

Science and Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs

Federal wage subsidy for youth internships in the natural resources sector.

 

Eligible businesses:

  • Organizations in the natural resources sector who can offer youth full-time (30 hours/week, some exceptions may apply) work experience for up-to-12 months
  • Legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
  • Indigenous organizations and groups
  • Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies

Eligible interns:

  • Must be between 15 and 30 years of age
  • Eligible to work in Canada
  • Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status

Internships are for full-time employment and require participants to be available 30 hours per week.

  Accepting applications.

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program

Federal income tax deduction and investment tax credit for R&D activities.

Tax measures:

Income tax deductions: SR&ED expenditures can be deducted against your current-year income taxes carried forward.

Investment tax credits (ITC): receive a tax credit on certain expenditures in the form of a cash refund or reduction of taxable income, or both. Unused ITCs can be carried back 3 years or forward 20 years.

What you can claim:

Expenditures incurred for SR&ED work performed in the year, which may include:

  • Salary and wages
  • Materials
  • SR&ED contracts
  • Overhead
  • Third-party payment

Work must further SR&ED, which can include:

  • Basic research
  • Applied research
  • Experimental development

The work must be, for the most part, carried out in Canada.

Who can benefit:

  • Corporations
  • Individuals
  • Trusts
  • Members of a partnership

SR&ED reporting deadlines:

12 months after the tax return filing due date.

Strategic Innovation Fund: Business and Innovation (Streams 1 to 3)

Federal funding for large innovation projects across industrial and technology sectors.

Contribution funding of a minimum of $10 million to cover up a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs.

Contributions may be:

  1. conditionally or unconditionally repayable (most cases)
  2. non-repayable
  3. a combination of 1 and 2

Stacking limits:

Combined funding from all governments may not normally exceed 75% of eligible costs.

Stream 1:

  • R&D projects that will accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes and services
  • TRL 1-9

Stream 2:

  • Projects that will facilitate the growth and expansion of firms in Canada
  • TRL 8-9

Stream 3:

  • Projects that attract and retain large-scale investments to Canada.
  • TRL 2-9

For-profit Canadian corporations of any size and operating in any industrial or technology sector.

Accepting applications.

Strategic Innovation Fund: Collaborations and Networks (Stream 5)

Federal funding to advance commercialization.

Non-repayable contributions for up to a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs.

Recipients that are academic institutions could receive contributions that may cover up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Stacking limits:

Usually, funding from all levels of government must not surpass 75% of eligible costs.

Academic institution recipients may receive a maximum combined level of assistance of up to 100%.

Industrial research projects

Technology demonstration projects.

Each Ecosystem proposal may support multiple projects.

Lead Applicant must be either:

  • A not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada
  • A for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada

Project must be carried out in collaboration with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations (including SMEs) and/or not-for-profit entities.

Accepting applications.

Strategic Innovation Fund: Net Zero Accelerator

Federal funding for projects reducing GHG emissions.

Minimum $10M contribution; $20M total project costs.

All levels of innovation (TRL 1-9) are considered.

The Net Zero Accelerator initiative is tailored to for-profit companies incorporated in Canada or networks of academic institutions, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

If you are interested, please send an email to sifadmission-fsiadmission@ised-isde.gc.ca and the Statement of Interest package will automatically be emailed to you.

Zero Emission Buses Initiative

Loans from the Canada Infrastructure Bank for zero-emission buses.

 

There are two Zero Emission Transit Fund components under which projects are eligible for funding:

Planning and Design Projects: Eligible projects include studies, modelling and feasibility analysis that will support the development of future larger scale capital projects.

Capital Projects: Eligible capital projects include buses, charging and refueling infrastructure, and other ancillary infrastructure needs.

Provinces and territories.

Municipal or regional governments.

Transit agencies.

Public bodies (e.g., school boards).

Private-sector school bus operator.

Private accessible transit transportation providers (e.g., paratransit services).

Accepting application through the Zero Emission Transit Fund.

Contact: investments@cib-bic.ca for more information.

Zero Emission Transit Fund

Federal funding for the electrification of bus fleets.

Planning and Design Projects: Contribution funding to cover up to 80% of total eligible costs.

Capital Projects: Contribution funding to cover up to 50% of total eligible costs.

Projects may also be eligible for financing through the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Zero Emission Buses Initiative.

Planning and Design Projects: studies, modelling and feasibility analyses that will support the development of future large scale capital projects.

Capital Projects: buses, charging and refueling infrastructure, and other ancillary infrastructure needs.

Provinces and territories.

Municipal and regional governments.

Transit agencies.

Public bodies (e.g. school boards).

Private-sector school bus operators.

Private accessible transit transportation providers (e.g. paratransit services).

Accepting applications.

SDTC Start-Up and Scale-Up Funding

Federal funding for the development and demonstration of clean technologies and for early commercialization.

Funding is a non-repayable contribution.
SDTC typically provides:

  • funding on average 33% (up to 40%) of eligible projects costs
  • an average contribution of $2 million to $4 million, with funds disbursed over the life of the project up to a five-year period

Eligible Canadian companies must demonstrate strong Canadian benefits with a defined project and have:

  • a product or service that has the potential to deliver significant and quantifiable environmental benefits resulting from commercial-scale deployment
  • a novel technology at TRL 3-8 that is supported by intellectual property owned by the company and a strategy to enable future growth
  • a defined project supported by a business plan that puts the company on the path to commercialization
  • a potential customer or end use partner who can validate market need

Canadian SMEs

Intake activities, including funding requests, have been paused temporarily.

SDTC Seed Fund

Federal funding for promising early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs for innovative technological projects with environmental and sustainability benefits.

Non dilutive contributions of $50,000 to $100,000.

The applicant must:

  • be referred to SDTC for seed funding by an SDTC-invited accelerator from which it is currently, or has been, a member in the previous 12 months. A list of these accelerators can be found here
  • be developing a solution with intellectual property potential
  • have a project that should have potential for clear and broad environmental and/or sustainability benefits
  • have raised in private equity funding (without recourses) at least twice (200%) the amount requested as a grant from SDTC in the last 12 months
  • have CLOSED at least 2x the grant amount with a minimum raise of $100k from a non-government and non-related party IN CASH within the past 12 months. Investment must be for equity without recourse – no royalty, no provision for repayment ahead of return of funds to SDTC for any reason

Applicant should not:

  • have secured prior funding from SDTC
  • have been rejected for seed funding by SDTC in the prior year
  • apply simultaneously to SDTC Seed Fund and SDTC Tech Fund
The applicant must be Canadian owned and incorporated in Canada prior to applying. Intake activities, including funding requests, have been paused temporarily.

Provincial, territorial and regional opportunities

Support for your clean tech project may also be available through Canada's regional development agencies and provincial and territorial governments. Visit their websites to find out more.

Provinces and territories

Regional Development Agencies

Industry funding opportunities

Funding and other opportunities may also be available through the following clean tech organizations:

Écotech Québec

Écotech Québec brings together key decision makers in Quebec's clean tech sector. It mobilizes participants in the green economy to create the most favourable conditions for business growth and development. It also encourages end users to adopt more clean technologies.

Learn more about Écotech Québec and its members.

Foresight Canada

Foresight is one of Canada's foremost clean tech innovation accelerators. The organization brings the industry together to accelerate the growth and adoption of competitive clean tech solutions that address the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Foresight offers regional support and resources to businesses across Canada.

Learn more about Foresight and its accelerator programs.

MaRS Cleantech

MaRS Cleantech supports startups and other organizations that push the boundaries of clean technology. It also helps entrepreneurs bring their products to market quickly, while making organizations and businesses more sustainable and cost effective. MaRS provides expert advice and connections to talent, capital and global markets.

Learn more about MaRS Cleantech.

Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association (OCTIA)

The Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association (OCTIA) exists to promote, foster and grow Ontario's clean technology sector.

Learn more about OCTIA and its members.

Innovation Superclusters

Canada's Innovation Superclusters encourage industry leaders, small and medium-sized companies, not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions to collaborate on large-scale projects and speed up growth in five of Canada's most promising industries:

  • Digital technologies
  • Plant proteins
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Artificial intelligence in supply chains
  • Oceans

The Innovation Superclusters Initiative is led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, but each Supercluster is an independent, not-for-profit entity with its own industry-led board of directors. Funding flows into Canada's Superclusters through co-investment by government and industry, with dollar-for-dollar matching.

Organizations of all sizes and sectors of the economy are welcome to join Superclusters, including individuals, like researchers and entrepreneurs. Each Supercluster has a different model for membership, including different fee and benefit structures. Members may propose and participate in Supercluster projects. Organizations can be members of more than one Supercluster.

Learn more about Canada's Innovation Superclusters Initiative and how to apply.

More help finding funding and opportunities

  • Business Benefits Finder

    A tool to help you find benefits and services you may be eligible to receive.

  • Canada Business App

    A one-stop shop for finding government programs and services relevant to businesses, including federal clean tech funding (available for iOS and Android mobile devices).

  • Federal ecosystem of support for clean technology

    An infographic that describes the stages of clean tech innovation and categories of federal funding and services available to clean tech developers and adopters.

  • Managing your business during COVID-19

    Resources for businesses, their employees and self-employed individuals including financial support, loans and access to credit.

Related links