Funding and support opportunities

CanExport SMEs

Federal funding and support for Canadian SMES looking to export.

Eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises must:

• be for-profit
• be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP) or cooperative
• have a Canada Revenue Agency business number
• employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
• have $100,000 to $100 million in declared revenue in Canada during its past fiscal year (or 12 months for quarterly filers)

CanExport SMEs program has initiated an administrative pause as of October 18, 2022.  The program will not be accepting applications for fiscal year 2022-23 after this date and are not yet open for fiscal year 2023-24.  Please visit their web page for details on when the programs will resume.

Please visit the Trade Commissioner Service website for additional information.

Federal funding and support for Canadian companies entering and/or operating in international markets.

Through CanExport Innovation, Innovators from Canadian organizations may access up to $75,000 in funding to help establish research and development (R&D) partnerships, for the purpose of co-developing, validating or adapting a technology.

The program covers up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners and investors.

To be eligible, your organization must:

• be registered in Canada
• have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
• own, co-own, or have decision-making authority over the intellectual property (IP) rights for the technology
• have a prototype (Technology Readiness Level 4 or higher)
• intend to commercially launch the technology within 5 years

• Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises
• Canadian academic institutions
• Canadian non-government research centres

CanExport Innovation program has initiated an administrative pause as of October 18, 2022. The program will not be accepting applications for fiscal year 2022-23 after this date and are not yet open for fiscal year 2023-24. Please visit their web page for details on when the programs will resume.

Please visit the Trade Commissioner Service website for additional information.

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

Business Development Bank of Canada Clean Tech Practice

New equity and commercial loans for high-potential clean tech companies.

Equity and commercial loans.

Explore BDC's portfolio of companies who have become business success stories.

A commercially validated IP-protected technology demonstrating a positive environmental impact.

Proven market traction with significant potential for revenue growth and commercial contracts.

The ambition to scale beyond $100 million in annual revenue.

A clear pathway to profitability.

Business Development Bank of Canada Industrial, Clean and Energy (ICE) Technology Fund

Venture fund for entrepreneurs with bold ideas building global companies.

Focus:

• Early-stage investment and beyond
• Lead investments and reserve capital for follow-on rounds
• Broad networks and alliances to help companies grow

Explore BDC's portfolio of companies supported by the ICE Technology Fund.

Entrepreneurs bringing novel solutions to where industry and enterprise applications intersect, including, but not limited to:

• Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
• Energy and electrification
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP)

Federal funding for agriculture and agri-food industry support organizations.

The maximum AAFC contribution for a project will normally not exceed $1 million.

You can apply for and receive funding for more than one project, but generally speaking, funding will not be more than $5 million over five years for each applicant.

Priority areas:

• Adoption of new technology
• Environmental sustainability
• Strategic development and capacity building
• Emerging issues

Non-profit organizations and associations.

Co-operatives.

Marketing boards.

Indigenous groups.

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.

Canadian Technology Accelerators

International acceleration support for small technology firms.

While CTAs vary in length and in format (virtual or in-market), all participating companies benefit from:

• coaching and mentorship from industry leaders
• support to refine international business and market-entry strategies
• introductions to potential partners and clients
• introductions to investors and venture capitalists
• access to a vast network of trade commissioners
• a collaborative workspace (where available)

Project eligibility varies with each CTA and its target sector.

Have a differentiated minimum viable product.

Can prove the high potential of your business through its revenues, investments, or numbers of users.

Have a go-to-market plan to scale your business, including key performance indicators.

Has proven traction in the domestic marketplace.

Have a committed management team with at least one C-level member who can participate in the program.

Have the financial resources to cover in-market costs.

Application deadlines:

• Taipei Sustainable Development Tech: February 15, 2023
• Boston/ Cambridge Tech and Life Sciences : February 22, 2023

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.

Green and Inclusive Community Building Program

Federal funding for community builds and retrofits.

Total eligible cost from $100,000 to $3 million.

Retrofits, repairs and upgrades to existing community buildings.

Construction of new community buildings.

Municipal and regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit organizations, provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous applicants.

Accepting applications for small and medium retrofit projects.

Indigenous Forestry Initiative

Federal funding for Indigenous-led projects in the forestry sector.

Speak with a representative about your project ideas and to determine if your project matches our eligibility criteria, funding limitations and/or get tips for writing your application.

Three general categories:

• Use and management of forest resources
• Clean technology and participation in the forest bioeconomy (e.g. biomass for heat/energy, pellet manufacturing, etc.)
• Environmental stewardship

Indigenous communities and governments.

Indigenous (50% or greater ownership by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit corporations, businesses, joint ventures, partnerships, associations, co-operatives and institutions.

Non-Indigenous not-for-profit entities who are working with one or more endorsing Indigenous partner organization(s) to facilitate Indigenous economic development.

Provincial, territorial, municipal and regional governments working with an Indigenous partner organization.

Academic institutions and research associations working with an Indigenous partner organization.

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.

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

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

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.

Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund: Decarbonization Incentive Program

Federal funding for industrial initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Applicants can request between $500,000 and $10M in funding for their project.

To be considered for funding under the program, the project must occur at an eligible facility and result in GHG emissions reductions.

• Consult the program details on the webpage

Applicants must be legal entities incorporated or registered in Canada, operate or have a controlling ownership stake in an eligible facility covered under the federal OBPS, be located in one of the eligible provinces (MB, ON, SK, NB), and/or demonstrate they have the authority over the facility or asset to undertake the project.

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.

Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative - Medium- and heavy-duty

Federal funding for projects that aim to increase knowledge, awareness, and confidence in medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission or low-emission vehicles among fleet owners, drivers and the general public.

The program will provide cost-shared, non-repayable contributions. Financial support for projects is based on the total amount of funds available for ZEVAI.
NRCan will fund up to 50% of project costs for for-profit organizations and up to 75% of project costs for non-profit organizations, other orders of government, and Indigenous organizations or businesses.

NRCan will provide funding for new and innovative awareness and education activities that are to take place in Canada and that will facilitate the uptake of zero-emission or low-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, alternative fuel, or retrofits and repowers for internal combustion engines.

Eligible applicants:

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations
• Indigenous organizations and businesses
• Municipal, territorial, provincial government

Accepting applications until March 13, 2023.

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

Accepting applications.

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.

Accepting applications