Learn more about the Strategic Response Fund’s (SRF) priorities and investment opportunities.
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Tariff response
The SRF’s tariff response investments help Canadian firms adapt and grow in the face of trade disruptions. By providing supports to firms across sectors impacted by tariffs, these investments contribute to strengthening domestic capacity, fostering innovation and protecting good jobs.
Investment goals
Provide funding to support organizations in key sectors highly impacted by tariffs, for projects that:
- maintain and grow Canada’s existing industrial capabilities to support economic stability
- create new products and technologies to cater to new market opportunities
- support investments in productivity, materials and products of importance to Canada’s economic security and resilience
Learn more:
Prioritized industries
- Aluminum
- Automotive
- Forest products
- Steel
- Other areas of interest
Priorities in other sectors are assessed as the global trade environment evolves.
Innovation
The SRF’s innovation investments make large-scale innovation less risky, bridge market gaps and support competitiveness and growth across Canadian industries. These investments strengthen Canada’s long-term competitiveness and create jobs across all sectors of the economy.
Investment
Provide funding to support organizations undertaking innovative large-scale projects that:
- build industrial research and development (R&D) leading to technology transfer and commercialization
- accelerate business growth and expansion in Canada
- attract and retain large-scale investments to Canada
- advance networks of collaboration between the private sector, research institutions and non-profit organizations
Learn more:
Prioritized industries
- Critical minerals
Learn more: Critical minerals - Aerospace and defence
- Biomanufacturing and life sciences
Learn more: Biomanufacturing: Advancing life sciences industry in Canada - Clean technologies, including batteries and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV)
Learn more: The future of Canadian vehicles - Other areas of interest
Natural resources, semiconductors, agri-food and more
AI Compute Challenge
AI Compute Challenge investments under the SRF support ambitious, cutting edge projects from the private sector and other ecosystem players to build AI compute infrastructure. The focus of these investments is to serve the needs of Canadian industry and develop national champions. A secondary focus will be placed on projects that develop innovative and environmentally sustainable Canadian components, such as AI chips, high-speed networking, cooling and orchestration platforms.
Investment goals
Provide funding to support organizations undertaking projects that:
- build out or expand net new AI compute capacity
- provide flexible and affordable compute offerings for Canadian innovators, businesses and industry
- contribute to anchoring or growing Canadian AI champions
- advance innovative and sustainable compute solutions
Learn more: AI Compute Challenge
Check your eligibility and start the application process
Follow these steps to find out if your project qualifies for SRF support:
- Review the project requirements to ensure your project is admissible.
- Understand the program’s key investment priorities so you can align your project with Canada's current goals.
- Check your eligibility to be able to request a consultation.