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By Ryan Remati-Paquette
December 8, 2025

What the Global Innovation Clusters Can Fund in Canada

The Global Innovation Clusters program is a pivotal initiative in Canada's strategy to foster economic growth through collaborative innovation projects. Designed to support various industries, this program offers financial assistance to projects that drive innovation and economic transformation.

Overview of the Global Innovation Clusters Program

The Global Innovation Clusters program facilitates co-investment from both industry and government, requiring a dollar-for-dollar match. This strategic approach leverages substantial funding to stimulate innovation across key sectors such as digital technologies, plant proteins, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence in supply chains, and oceans.

For a comprehensive understanding of the program's scope, you can explore the complete program guide.

Eligible Expenses

The program supports a wide array of project expenses, enabling organizations to tackle complex challenges through innovation. Here are the primary categories of expenses that the Global Innovation Clusters can fund:

Salaries and Wages

  • Compensation for employees directly involved in the innovation project.

  • Consulting fees for external experts providing specialized knowledge.

Equipment and Infrastructure

  • Purchase and installation of new equipment essential to the project.

  • Costs associated with upgrading existing infrastructure to accommodate innovative processes.

Research and Development

  • Expenses related to R&D activities, including materials, prototypes, and testing.

  • Academic partnerships and collaborations that contribute to the project's goals.

Training and Development

  • Costs for training employees on new technologies and methodologies.

  • Workshops and seminars designed to enhance workforce skills relevant to the project.

For detailed eligibility criteria and example projects, consult the complete program guide.

Ineligible Expenses

Certain costs are explicitly excluded from funding under the Global Innovation Clusters program. These typically include:

  • Routine operational expenses not directly tied to the innovation project.

  • Marketing and sales activities unrelated to the development phase.

For a complete list of ineligible costs, please refer to the complete program guide.

Funding Disbursement and Claiming Process

Funding is typically disbursed in phases, aligned with project milestones. Organizations must submit detailed claims with supporting documentation to receive funding. The complete program guide outlines the necessary steps and documentation requirements.

Conclusion

The Global Innovation Clusters program is a comprehensive funding resource designed to drive collaborative innovation across Canada's most promising industries. By focusing on key sectors and supporting strategic partnerships, it aims to bolster economic growth and position Canada as a leader in global innovation.

For further details on funding eligibility, application processes, and specific financial support, please visit the complete program guide.

About the author

Ryan Remati-Paquette - Canadian grants specialist

Ryan Remati-Paquette

Canadian grants specialist
Working at helloDarwin for some time now, I'm in charge of providing you with the information you need on government aid. Dedicated to helping companies in Quebec and Canada reach their full potential, I write on the helloDarwin blog about the various programs, allowances and funding available to enable organizations to make their digital transformation through access to federal and provincial support.

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