Consultations - Strategic Response Fund

What to expect during a consultation

Consultations help you save time once you are invited to fill out the Statement of Interest (SOI) application form.

Consultations last from 30 minutes to an hour. SRF officers will provide you with information about the program and its requirements, and will answer your questions. This meeting may also include other Government of Canada employees from within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada or other departments, depending on the scope and sector of your proposed project.

As you will pitch your project to SRF's officials and in some instances to Industry Sector specialists, be prepared to speak about your project. You will have 10 to 15 minutes to present the details of your project.

How to request a consultation

To request consultations, you must first use the SRF check your eligibility questionnaire. At the end of the questionnaire, you can select the option to request a consultation.

To help us better prepare for your consultation, please provide a summary of your project.

How to prepare for a consultation

Be sure that your project meets all of SRF's requirements, including:

• eligible project types
• correlation to SRF's key investment priorities
• minimum eligible project costs
• SRF's funding amounts and conditions

Your 10- to 15-minute project pitch may include the following information:

• what your project is and where it will be located
• how your project will benefit Canada in the following areas:
  • economic benefits
  • public benefits
  • innovation benefits
• a brief technical explanation of your innovation provided in clear, plain language
• additional project information, including:
  • what priority area your project falls under
  • what your intended expenses would be, should you receive SRF funding, while understanding the SRF requirements for project costs
  • how much you would require from SRF and why that amount, noting the requirements for funding amounts and conditions
  • secured or pending investors
  • secured or pending agreements with customers (if applicable)
  • the impacts to the project if you do not receive SRF funding
• your organization's financial success to date in order to prove your organization's capability to complete the project as intended
• additional information about your organization, including:
  • environmental practices
  • equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices

Network proposals should also include:

• a brief explanation of the network model, including plans to redistribute funding
• your organizational capacity to lead a network
• a list of key partners
• the level of sector or industry support
• the geographic scope of the network

What to expect after a consultation

Some outcomes of the consultations may include:

Your project is a good fit

If SRF considers your project to be a good fit for the program, you will receive an email invitation to apply including the SOI application.

Your project is not yet ready

If your project could be a good fit for SRF in the future, you will receive information on which elements of the project could be enhanced or improved for future consideration.

At any time during the consultation process, you may still decide to request and submit the SOI application. The results of the consultations are meant to provide the best advice and to support efficiencies in the application process.

Your project may benefit from another funding program

If your project does not meet the requirements for SRF, you may receive a referral to an alternative funding program within the Government of Canada. If SRF cannot find an alternative program, you may be directed to speak with an Innovation Advisor for additional guidance.

At any time during the consultation process, you may still decide to request and submit the SOI application. The results of the consultations are meant to provide the best advice and to support efficiencies in the application process.