Closed
Source verified August 10, 2026
Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan
Applied materials R&D for energy and defence
Funding available
$ 1,500,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
Closed
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada
See full eligibility
Overview
The Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence call for proposals supports applied research and development projects that strengthen Canada’s critical minerals value chain and national materials production capacity. It targets eligible applicants in Canada working on advanced materials or components for clean energy and defence applications.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Applied R&D for innovative advanced materials or components
- Applied R&D for innovative processes producing advanced materials or components
- Performance testing and validation of the developed material, component, or process
- Projects with clean energy and defence end-use applications
Documents Needed
- A commercialization plan
- An Intellectual Property (IP) strategy
- A Letter of Confirmation of Applicant Organization Contribution
- A detailed budget and statement of work template
- Legal proof of registration in Canada
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada
- University spin-offs, so long as they are validly incorporated or registered in Canada and can provide a 9-digit business number (BN) by the full project proposal (FPP) phase
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that are not for-profit legal entities
- Entities not incorporated or registered in Canada
- Projects targeting only energy or only defence end uses
- Projects limited to foundational research, demonstration, or deployment
- Projects in upstream mining extraction, refining, or basic material processing
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for employees on the payroll of the recipient for the actual time spent by the employees on the project
- Training and workshops; professional, scientific, technical and contracting services; and travel expenditures, including meals and accommodation
- Capital expenditures such as the purchase, installation, testing and commissioning of qualifying equipment, materials and products, including diagnostic, testing tools and instruments, and original equipment manufacturer equipment warranty
- Laboratory and field supplies and materials; printing services and translation; data collection services; facility costs for seminars and conference room rentals, excluding hospitality; construction insurance; accreditation; license fees and permits; honoraria; and field testing services
- Overhead expenditures directly related to the conduct of the project, to a maximum of 15% of eligible expenditures, and GST, PST or HST, net of any tax rebate to which the recipient is entitled
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Foundational research only, demonstration or deployment of technology only, and process optimization only
- Development for the upstream mining extraction, refining, or basic material processing segments in the critical mineral value chain
- Energy-only end-use applications and defence-only end-use applications
- Costs incurred within the total project cost period but outside the eligible expenditure period; the reimbursable portion of federal and provincial taxes; and in-kind costs
- Overhead expenses exceeding 15% of eligible expenditures, the federal government's own internal operations, the acquisition of land, buildings, works, machinery and equipment, construction or creation of assets for the federal government, and the purchase of land
Selection criteria
- Projects with a diverse consortium of partners or project team members with cross-disciplinary backgrounds
- Projects whereby the lead applicant is headquartered in Canada and maintains primary ownership of both Background IP and Project IP
- Projects that support departmental priorities such as regional balance in Canada, advancing inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) in the natural resources sector, and socio-economic considerations
- Collaboration and leveraging for all project components are expected and may be a factor in the review of FPPs
- The strength of the letters of contribution will be considered during the FPP evaluation
How to apply
- Determine your eligibility to apply by reviewing the applicant guide
- Complete and submit an expression of interest (EOI) via the application portal by 1:00 p.m. ET on July 3, 2026
- NRCan evaluates the EOI and notifies applicants of the results
- Invited applicants complete and submit a Full project proposal (FPP)
- NRCan evaluates the FPP and notifies applicants of the project selection results
Processing and Agreement
- The project selection process has two phases: the Expression of interest (EOI) phase and the Full project proposal (FPP) phase
- NRCan will notify applicants of the EOI evaluation results and invite successful applicants to the FPP phase
- Applicants undergoing due diligence will be notified whether their project passes the due diligence assessment
- Applicants whose projects pass the due diligence assessment will be invited to work with NRCan to draft, sign, and execute a contribution agreement
- Any funding under the CFP will be contingent upon the execution of a contribution agreement, and until a written contribution agreement is signed by both parties, no commitment or obligation exists on the part of NRCan
Additional information
- Canada’s Critical Minerals List in sections 2.2.1 and 3.1.1 reflects the 2024 version and includes high-purity iron ore, phosphorus, and silicon metal.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan Program
What is the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan?
The Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence call for proposals supports applied research and development projects that strengthen Canada’s critical minerals value chain and national materials production capacity. It targets eligible applicants in Canada working on advanced materials or components for clean energy and defence applications.
How much funding can be received?
Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan program?
To be eligible for the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan program, you must:
Applied R&D projects must start at TRL 3 to 6.
Projects must target both clean energy and defence end uses.
Projects must advance materials, components, or processes in the critical mineral value chain.
What expenses are eligible under Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan?
Applied R&D for innovative advanced materials or components
Applied R&D for innovative processes producing advanced materials or components
Performance testing and validation of the developed material, component, or process
Projects with clean energy and defence end-use applications
Who can I contact for more information about the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at eipenergydefence-pieenergiedefense@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan available?
The Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan program is available across Canada.
Is the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan is a Grant and Funding