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Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner
Funded researcher for academic/business collaboration
Last Update: March 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Get a grant of up to $150,000/year, to collaborate with college researchers on R&D projects of up to 3 years.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Applied Research and Development (ARD) grants fund projects that emphasize collaboration between Canadian colleges and partner organizations across various sectors. These projects are designed to harness the expertise and capabilities of colleges to address economic, social, and environmental goals through research and innovation activities.
- Projects that provide partner organizations with access to specialized knowledge, expertise, and capabilities available at Canadian colleges and universities.
- Training initiatives that equip college students with essential technical skills tailored for private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
- R&D collaborations aimed at delivering economic, environmental, health, or social benefits to partner organizations and the broader Canadian context.
- Joint research ventures that enable collaborations between varying institutions or partner types, strengthening the research ecosystem.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Canadian colleges (including CEGEPs and polytechnics) eligible to administer grants from at least one of the three federal granting agencies can apply. Colleges apply on behalf of their researchers and the partner organization(s).Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant. Only the following types of companies can apply:
- Private organizations
- Public organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations
Eligible expenses
Projects eligible for Applied Research and Development grants are aimed at enhancing research collaborations between Canadian colleges and partner organizations. These projects focus on leveraging institutional expertise to achieve shared economic, social, or environmental objectives within the research-to-innovation spectrum.
- Collaborative research projects led by college researchers in partnership with external organizations.
- Training initiatives for college students to gain technical skills relevant to industry needs.
- Projects that access and utilize unique knowledge and capabilities of Canadian educational institutions.
- Initiatives aimed at providing significant benefits, such as economic, environmental, health, or social improvements.
- Partnership development projects that involve multiple types of institutions and organizations.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications can be submitted at any time, providing flexibility in project timing and start dates.
- Direct project costs are shared by the partner organization(s) and the funding agency.
- Colleges should ensure their eligibility to administer grants from at least one of the three federal granting agencies (NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC).
- It's essential to have the partner organization's cash contribution recognized for cost sharing with NSERC.
- The grants promote collaboration not just with colleges, but also encourage participation from universities as co-applicants.
- Strong emphasis is placed on evidence of partnerships and collaborations in proposals.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner?
Get a grant of up to $150,000/year, to collaborate with college researchers on R&D projects of up to 3 years.
How much funding can be received?
Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner Funds up to $150,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner program?
To be eligible for the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner program, you must:
Colleges conducting research and collaborating on R&D projects with partner organizations.
Colleges must have at least one partner organization in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
Eligible colleges must be able to administer grants from at least one of the three federal granting agencies.
What expenses are eligible under Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner?
The Applied Research and Development (ARD) grants fund projects that emphasize collaboration between Canadian colleges and partner organizations across various sectors. These projects are designed to harness the expertise and capabilities of colleges to address economic, social, and environmental goals through research and innovation activities. Projects that provide partner organizations with access to specialized knowledge, expertise, and capabilities available at Canadian colleges and universities.
Training initiatives that equip college students with essential technical skills tailored for private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
R&D collaborations aimed at delivering economic, environmental, health, or social benefits to partner organizations and the broader Canadian context.
Joint research ventures that enable collaborations between varying institutions or partner types, strengthening the research ecosystem.
Who can I contact for more information about the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner?
You can contact Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) by email at colleges@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
Where is the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner available?
The Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner program is available across Canada.
Is the Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Applied Research and Development Grants — Industrial Partner is a Grant and Funding
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