Strategic Innovation Fund
The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) supports Canada as a top destination for businesses to invest through five Streams:
- Stream 1: Encourage R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes and services;
- Stream 2: Facilitate the growth and expansion of firms in Canada;
- Stream 3: Attract and retain large scale investments to Canada;
- Stream 4: Advance industrial research, development and technology demonstration through collaboration between the private sector, researchers and non-profit organizations; and
- Stream 5: Support large-scale, national innovation ecosystems through high impact collaborations across Canada.
$3.6 billion in SIF
contributions as of 2021
Funding requests of
$10 million +
Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
Part of SIF, the Net Zero Accelerator comprises up to $8 billion over 7 years to expedite decarbonization projects with large emitters, scale-up clean technology and accelerate Canada's industrial transformation. Additional support for innovative projects across all sectors includes $1 billion, on a cash basis, to support private sector investment in cleantech projects.
Targeted environmental questions on SIF’s application are used to formulate a preliminary assessment of a project’s environmental impact and GHG abatement.
Eligible applicants
Streams 1, 2 and 3
For-profit corporations incorporated pursuant to the laws of Canada and proposing to carry on business in Canada.
Stream 4
Consortiums that may include Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporation and/or not-for-profit entities. The Lead Applicant must be incorporated pursuant to the laws of Canada, and carry on business in Canada.
Networks ─ the Lead Applicant must be a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada.
Stream 5
Networks ─ the Lead Applicant is either a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada or a for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada, in collaboration with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations (including SMEs) and/or not-for-profit entities. The Lead Applicant will be responsible for submitting an application to SIF on behalf of the ecosystem, managing the Ecosystem's projects, submitting claims, receiving the Government contribution and reporting on results.
Further considerations regarding eligibility can be found in the SIF Program Guide.
Contribution Amounts
SIF projects are assessed based on the potential benefits to Canada, including: the creation and commercialization of new intellectual property in Canada; development of new and improved products, services or processes; collaboration between post-secondary institutions, NGOs, indigenous communities and other private sector firms; and significant R&D creating technology with the potential for market disruption.
Eligible costs are limited to non-recurring costs that are specifically related to the project, including:
- direct labour
- overhead (program limits apply)
- subcontracts and consultants
- direct materials and equipment
- other direct costs
- land and buildings
Repayments will be performance-based and reflect a risk-sharing approach. Non-repayable contributions will only be considered for eligible activities that demonstrate strong economic, innovation and public benefits with clear strategic value or global significance.
Contribution assessment
Streams 1, 2 and 3
The amount of the contribution is based on the minimum amount required to allow an eligible activity to proceed. The sharing ratio will be based on the type of activities proposed for a given project. It will not exceed 50% of the costs for eligible activities.
Streams 4
Contributions will be non-repayable and the program contribution to any Recipient will not exceed 50% of its total eligible costs, except for Recipients that are academic institutions and Networks, where the contribution provided may cover 100% of their eligible costs.
Streams 5
Contributions will be non-repayable and the program contribution to any Recipient will not exceed 50% of its total eligible costs, except for Recipients that are academic institutions for which the contribution will not exceed 100% of eligible costs.