Closed
Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan
Advanced materials R&D for clean energy and defence
Last Update: June 5, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,500,000 - $ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $5 million to advance applied R&D in advanced materials for clean energy and defence. It supports innovative materials or processes, testing and validation, and commercialization-oriented projects using critical minerals.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
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
- Expression of interest
- Commercialization plan
- Intellectual property strategy
- Letter confirming applicant organization contribution
- Full project proposal with budget and statement of work
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit legal entities registered in Canada
- University spin-offs incorporated or registered in Canada
- Indigenous-owned for-profit organizations
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
- Training, workshops, and consulting services
- Travel, meals, and accommodation
- Equipment, materials, and testing
- Eligible overhead, up to 15%
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Foundational research only
- Demonstration or deployment only
- Process optimization only
- Upstream mining extraction, refining, or basic material processing
- Purchase of land
Selection criteria
- Fit with call objectives and eligibility criteria
- Diverse consortium or cross-disciplinary project team
- Canadian head office and primary ownership of Background IP and Project IP
- Support for regional balance and IDEA priorities
How to apply
- Step 1: Check eligibility
- Review the applicant guide
- Step 2: Submit expression of interest
- Complete and submit the EOI through the applicant portal
- Submit by July 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Step 3: Submit full project proposal if invited
- Prepare and submit the FPP after EOI results
- Step 4: Complete due diligence and agreement
- Provide required information during the review process
- Sign the contribution agreement if approved
Processing and Agreement
- EOI applications are reviewed first
- Successful applicants are invited to the FPP phase
- Selected projects undergo financial, technical, legal, and regulatory due diligence
- Applicants are notified of the due diligence result
- Funding is only confirmed after a contribution agreement is signed
Additional information
- Applicants must submit an expression of interest first.
- Invited applicants must then submit a full project proposal.
- Projects selected for funding must complete due diligence and sign a contribution agreement.
- NRCan may request supplementary information during review.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan Program
What is the Advanced Materials for Energy and Defence - NRCan?
This program provides up to $5 million to advance applied R&D in advanced materials for clean energy and defence. It supports innovative materials or processes, testing and validation, and commercialization-oriented projects using critical minerals.
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:
For-profit entity registered in Canada
Applied R&D project at TRL 3 to 6
Targets clean energy and defence uses
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 or by phone at none.
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 Researchers And Facilities