How much funding can be received?

The Canada–UK 2023-24 Critical Minerals Sustainability and Circularity Call for Proposals aims to support collaborative industrial R&D projects between Canadian and UK organizations focusing on innovative technologies for critical minerals, providing up to $500,000 CAD to eligible Canadian SMEs for projects with high commercialization potential. Eligible activities include novel manufacturing processes, enhancing the circularity of battery systems, and implementing sustainable approaches in critical minerals and their supply chains.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

This grant offers specific financing modalities designed to support the collaboration of Canadian and UK entities in the realm of critical minerals technologies. It clearly outlines the mechanisms for reimbursing eligible project costs and stipulates funding limits.

Canadian SMEs may receive up to 50% reimbursement of eligible project costs, with a maximum total funding amount of $500,000 CAD over 12 to 24 months.
Eligible Canadian research institutions involved in a consortium including an NRC researcher may receive funding of up to 100% of eligible costs, with indirect costs representing up to 10% of total eligible project costs.
Funding for Canadian projects is provided through the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
The modalities include support for direct costs such as salaries, research support, travel, and professional services.
Specific funding arrangements apply for project partners in the UK, managed through Innovate UK, part of UKRI.
Each national body has its own funding regulations and reporting requirements that need to be adhered to by the project participants.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant focuses on advancing sustainability and circularity in the critical minerals sector, supporting projects that leverage innovative technologies for enhanced recovery, use, and governance. Projects should align with themes that foster circular solutions and sustainability in the critical minerals supply chain.

Development of processes to enhance circularity in battery systems, including the recovery of critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese.
Innovative methods for recovering new critical mineral streams from battery waste, such as graphite, silicon, and lithium iron phosphate.
Safe and economical techniques for handling rare earth element end-of-life products through identification, collection, and dismantling for recovery.
Creation of sustainable processing routes for recycled rare earth element materials.
Novel approaches to reduce dependency on existing critical minerals and explore complete substitution systems.
Development and application of life cycle analysis and sustainability models for critical mineral systems and their environmental impacts.
Implementation of traceability and digitization methods such as material passports for critical minerals.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and collaborative project formation.

The Canadian SME applicant must be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada.
The SME must have 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
The business should pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada.
The applicant must have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets.
The SME must have sufficient working capital and resources to undertake a multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results.
There must be a commitment to significant growth through international market expansion.
Preference may be given to SMEs with a minimum of 15 full-time equivalent employees, have commercialized one or more products domestically or internationally, and generate greater than $500,000 CAD in annual revenue.
The consortium must include at least one incorporated Canadian SME and one incorporated UK business of any size.
All consortium parties must be unrelated, e.g., no ownership interest between them.
The project partners must have an agreement addressing intellectual property rights and commercialization intent.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant call is aimed at fostering collaborative industrial research and development projects between Canadian and UK organizations in the domain of critical minerals technologies, focusing on sustainability and circular economy principles.

Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven products, services, or processes.
UK incorporated for-profit businesses of any size involved in industrial research projects with Canadian partners.
Consortia involving both Canadian SMEs and UK businesses, incorporating collaboration with research institutes, universities, or government laboratories on a self-funded basis.
Projects must focus on enhancing circularity in critical minerals, featuring innovative methods for the recovery or sustainability of battery and permanent magnet systems.
Innovative approaches to reduce reliance on critical minerals or substitute them completely, aligning with environmental, societal, and governance models.
Commitment from Canadian SMEs to substantial growth and international market expansion.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for Canadian collaborators participating in the project include direct project costs to support its development and execution.

Salaries for personnel directly working on the project, excluding academic principal investigator salaries.
Research support costs, including student stipends, research materials, and minor equipment purchases up to $10,000.
Travel and accommodation costs related to project activities.
Professional services fees for contractors providing services directly to the project.
Indirect costs representing up to 10% of total eligible project costs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available for organizations from Canada and the United Kingdom as determined by the collaboration between respective national funding bodies. Eligible locations are those that align with the requirements for consortium formation.

Companies based in Canada.
Organizations located in the United Kingdom.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Registration Phase
Canadian SME applicants must register using the designated "Register" button on the application page.
Provide basic information about the applicant and the organization during registration.
NRC IRAP will review the registrations and reach out if additional information is needed.
Qualifying applicants will be invited to the Expression of Interest phase.
Step 2: Expression of Interest Phase
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form with details about the applicant and the collaborative project.
Contact your NRC IRAP representative for guidance during this phase.
Submit the EOI as early as possible to ensure timely evaluation.
EOIs will be assessed by the NRC IRAP representative and the NRC IRAP International Office.
Successful applicants will be invited to submit an International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP).
Step 3: International Consortium Project Proposal Phase
Collaborate with all project partners to complete and submit an ICPP package.
The ICPP application package should include:
Innovate UK IFS project application form.
NRC IRAP Canadian SME annex form.
NRC Other Canadian Collaborator annex form (if applicable).
Draft international consortium agreement detailing roles, IP rights, and management framework.
Applications will be evaluated by an NRC IRAP evaluation team.
Step 4: National Funding Body Proposal and Funding Agreement Phase
Eligible project partners must complete funding proposals and sign funding agreements with their respective national funding bodies.
Canadian SMEs work with NRC IRAP to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal and contribute to the agreement.
Other Canadian collaborators work with NRC CBMI for necessary grants or contributions.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Preference may be given to SME applicants with a minimum of 15 full-time equivalent employees, a history of commercializing products, and an annual revenue greater than $500,000 CAD.
Canadian SMEs can apply to multiple NRC IRAP calls for proposals simultaneously, but the number of funded projects per applicant may be limited.
Overhead costs for eligible Canadian research institutions may represent up to 10% of total eligible project costs.
For projects including NRC researchers, separate, complementary funding agreements may be established for certain collaborators.
An NRC researcher collaboration may allow eligibility for funding under the Critical Battery Materials Initiative.
Both self-funded and sub-contracted participation is allowed for non-eligible project participants.
The National Program Office manages funding agreements for Canadian collaborators and NRC researchers.

grant_single_labels|contact

Tamara.Kononoff@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

1-877-994-4727

Apply to this program

Seizing the Canada-UK 2023-24 Critical Minerals Opportunity

This collaborative grant initiative, between the Canadian and UK governments, is aimed at fostering industrial R&D projects centered on critical minerals technology. The aim is to nurture innovative solutions enhancing sustainability and circularity in the critical minerals supply chain.

Deep Dive into the Canada–UK Critical Minerals Sustainability and Circularity Grant

The Canada–UK 2023-24 call for proposals represents a strategic collaboration between two nations, focusing on boosting innovations within the critical minerals sector. This initiative seeks to spur the development of technologies that enhance the sustainability and circularity of critical mineral supply chains, focusing on upstream processes rather than final product performance. Its main objectives are to increase efficiency in mineral recovery processes, explore sustainable alternatives, and foster significant environmental, societal, and governance innovations related to critical minerals.

This initiative is geared toward Canadian SMEs that exhibit a strong drive for growth and international market expansion. SMEs are expected to contribute and leverage innovative technology that can compete on a global scale and capitalize on the enhanced circularity of critical minerals in applications such as battery and high-performance permanent magnet systems. With the prospect of being reimbursed up to 50% of eligible project costs, Canadian SMEs can earn financial support amounting to as much as $500,000 CAD over a 12 to 24-month project window, offering substantial fiscal relief to assist in the innovation and development phases.

The grant emphasizes forming diverse consortia between Canadian and UK enterprises. By requiring the inclusion of both a Canadian SME and a UK business, the grant seeks to encourage international cooperation, enabling the transfer of technology and expertise between the two countries. The structure allows additional Canadian collaborators, such as universities and research institutions, to partake largely on a self-funded basis, although they can access specific funds if aligned with NRC initiatives.

Projects supported by this grant must show potential for commercialization within two to three years post-completion and need to demonstrate civilian applicability. The shared resources and knowledge between Canadian and UK partners can enhance methodological robustness and promote innovations in critical minerals processing methods. Particular attention is directed towards enhanced mineral circularity, processing innovation, and the reduction or substitution of critical mineral usage, which aligns with global environmental sustainability goals.

Through this initiative, the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program administers the funding in Canada, maintaining a rigorous partnership with benefiting SMEs. The joint effort is also aligned with NRC's Critical Battery Materials Initiative, adding focus on accelerating battery minerals processing and optimizing system sustainability through new innovations.

Thus, this grant stands as a formidable opportunity for enterprises in Canada and the UK to harness innovative technologies in the critical minerals sector. Currently, eligible applicants must engage in meticulous application processing through phases that ensure the robustness of proposals and verify the feasibility and innovation potential of the proposed projects. This grant not only provides fiscal incentives but also strengthens the cross-national industrial development under an umbrella of shared goals for circular economy and technological innovation.