Canada

If you are an incorporated, for-profit Canadian SME (500 or fewer FTEs) pursuing technology-driven innovation, you can receive funding from the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to share the costs of R&D project activities. Funding for Eureka programmes is provided by NRC IRAP within its technology innovation projects and youth employment programme.

The NRC can help you to find project partners by contacting other national funding bodies in Eureka’s network (consisting of over 45 member countries). The NRC’s international programmes can also help you connect with the strategic partners you need to access new markets and global value chains. The NRC organises and accompanies potential project participants to partnership development activities and key partnering events in collaboration with government departments, such as Global Affairs Canada and organisations in other countries.

For more information on how to find project partners, contact the NRC.

NRC IRAP support goes beyond financial assistance. Get access to:

• Industrial Technology Advisors who offer technical and business advice, referrals and other services from concept to commercialisation,
• an extensive network of regional, national and international partners, such as the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, that can give you access to customised support (including business and technology advice and competitive intelligence) and connect you with local sources of financing, expertise and more.

There are additional services available for Canadian organisations:

• Commercialise and export on the CanExport Innovation programme (led by Global Affairs Canada)
• Meet investors and mentors through the Canadian Technology Accelerators

If there isn’t funding available for your organisation through the NRC, consult these organisations:

• The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada supports postsecondary researchers pursuing discovery and innovation solution-driven research. Their Alliance grant allows university researchers to collaborate with partner public, private or non-profit organisations.
• Mitacs builds domestic and international partnerships with universities, large companies, governments, and other organisations to support innovative projects that generate social and economic benefits.

• Eureka Clusters: Take part in industry-led communities for research and development
• Eurostars: Funding for international SME-led research and development
• Globalstars: Access new markets with global research and development
• Investment Readiness: Scale up with corporate partners in Europe and beyond
• Network Projects: Flexible programme for international research and development cooperation

Please see our resource on what programmes are funded in each country for more information.

We recommend that you get in touch with your national contact to talk about funding options even if a programme is listed as not funded. There might still be funding available.

In the absence of any national funding support, it is still possible to participate in a project by self-funding.