CELTIC-NEXT – Next Generation Communications Autumn 2025 call for proposals

• The applicant must be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Canada with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
• The applicant must have been in operation for at least 12 months prior to the project proposal deadline.
• The company must have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent employees located in Canada (on payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees.
• The project must be close to market and aligned with business needs, involving at least two partners from two different EUREKA countries (including at least one EUREKA Member Country).
• The applicant must pursue growth and profit through the development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven products, services, or processes in Canada, and have the capacity to undertake international multi-year R&D collaboration.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)
• Large corporations in Canada (participation possible with alternative or self-funding)
• Non-profit organizations in Canada (participation possible with alternative or self-funding)
• Canadian universities (participation possible with alternative or self-funding)
• Canadian research centres (participation possible with alternative or self-funding)

Who is not eligible

• Canadian organizations that are not incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not eligible for NRC IRAP funding (including large corporations, non-profits, universities, research centres, etc.), though they may participate on a self-funded basis.

Eligible geographic areas

• Companies incorporated and operating in Canada.

• Proposals must be close to market and address business needs.
• The project consortium must include at least two different partners from two different EUREKA countries (one must be a EUREKA Member Country, the other can be either another Member or an Associated Country).

• Participation requires a consortium with at least two organizations from two different EUREKA countries, including at least one EUREKA Member Country.
• CELTIC-NEXT launches two calls per year for joint research and development projects.
• Applicants planning to participate should inform their IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor early in the process.
• Applicants are encouraged to review recordings and attend related launch and brokerage events to foster collaboration and information exchange.