NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program

    $50K–$250K+ContributionFederalNational Research Council Canada

    Funding for Canadian SMEs to pursue R&D and technology innovation projects. Provides advisory services and funding to help firms increase their innovation capacity.

    Deadlines

    • Intake type: Rolling — apply any time
    • Typical processing time: 2–6 months

    What you'll need

    • Certificate of Incorporation

      Proof that your company is incorporated in Canada

    • Project Summary (1-2 pages)

      Clear description of R&D project, objectives, technical challenges, and expected outcomes

    • Team & Roles Document

      List of team members, their qualifications, roles, and % time allocated to project

    • Budget Estimate

      Breakdown of eligible costs (salaries, contractors, materials, equipment)

    • 6-18 Month Milestone Plan

      Timeline with major milestones, deliverables, and success criteria

    • Contact IRAP ITA

      Reach out to your local Industrial Technology Advisor to discuss your project

    Why applications get rejected

    1. Project lacks clear technological uncertainty — must be R&D, not routine development
    2. Company hasn't established a relationship with an NRC ITA before submitting
    3. Application describes a product build rather than an experiment with uncertain technical outcomes

    Effort to apply

    • Difficulty: 4 of 5
    • Estimated time: 40–80 hrs
    Check if you qualify — 3 minutes

    Official program page · Details verified May 15, 2026

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