Closed
Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity
Canada-UK critical minerals R&D support
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : November 20, 2023
- Closing date : April 3, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
This program supports collaborative Canada-UK R&D projects to develop circular solutions for critical minerals. Eligible projects may receive up to CA$500,000 for Canadian SMEs and up to £400,000 for UK organisations.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 20, 2023
- Closing date : April 3, 2024
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Co-development of innovative products, processes, or technology-based services for critical minerals
- Development of circular solutions for battery systems and permanent magnet systems
- Development of more sustainable processing, manufacturing, and reduction-in-use approaches
- Environmental, social, and governance innovation for critical minerals
Documents Needed
- Innovate UK IFS project application form
- Canadian SME annex form
- Other Canadian collaborator annex form, if applicable
- Draft international consortium agreement
- Project financial cost breakdown template for Canadian partners
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian incorporated SMEs
- UK registered businesses of any size
- Canadian universities, research institutes, laboratories, and RTOs as collaborators
- NRC researchers, where applicable
Who is not eligible
- Academic institutions and RTOs as UK project leads
- Participants from other countries as funded partners
- Russian or Belarusian entities for procurement or subcontracting
- Large Canadian enterprises as funded Canadian SME applicants
Eligible expenses
- For Canadian research institutions: salaries, research support, travel and accommodation, and professional services
- For Canadian research institutions: minor equipment purchases up to $10,000
- For UK organisations: eligible project costs under Innovate UK rules
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects focused on end-use performance rather than minerals circularity
- Projects on minerals not listed in the UK or Canadian critical minerals strategies
- Procurement, commercial, business development, or supply chain activity with Russian or Belarusian entities
- Applications that do not complete the required Canadian EOI process, where applicable
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- United Kingdom
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed independently by the Canadian and UK funding bodies.
- Canadian registrations are reviewed first, and qualifying applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest.
- Selected applicants are then assessed through the international consortium proposal stage.
- Successful partners proceed to separate national funding body agreements.
- If approved, applicants must complete project setup before funding starts.
Additional information
- Applications are processed independently by the Canadian and UK funding bodies.
- Applicants may be asked for more information during registration review.
- Successful Canadian participants move to a national funding body proposal and funding agreement stage.
- The competition is archived and closed.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity. 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 Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity?
This program supports collaborative Canada-UK R&D projects to develop circular solutions for critical minerals. Eligible projects may receive up to CA$500,000 for Canadian SMEs and up to £400,000 for UK organisations.
How much funding can be received?
Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was April 3, 2024.
Who is eligible for the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity program?
To be eligible for the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity program, you must:
Canadian and UK consortium required
At least one Canadian SME
Commercial R&D project
What expenses are eligible under Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity?
Co-development of innovative products, processes, or technology-based services for critical minerals
Development of circular solutions for battery systems and permanent magnet systems
Development of more sustainable processing, manufacturing, and reduction-in-use approaches
Environmental, social, and governance innovation for critical minerals
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at IRAP.International.PARI@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-994-4727.
Where is the Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity available?
The Canada–UK 2023-24 critical minerals sustainability and circularity program is available across Canada.