Platform
Consulting
Resources
Pricing
CFI — College Fund - Canada
Open

CFI — College Fund

College research infrastructure for applied innovation
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 60,000 - $ 1,000,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : January 1, 2026
  • Closing date : September 17, 2026
Location
Canada

Overview

Supports Canadian colleges building research infrastructure for applied research and technology development with partners. Requests can range from $60,000 to $1 million, and projects must address Canadian industry or community needs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop team skills
  • Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 60,000 $
  • Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : January 1, 2026
  • Closing date : September 17, 2026

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Acquiring research infrastructure to enhance applied research capacity.
  • Developing research infrastructure to support technology development.
  • Collaborative applied research and technology development with public, private, or not-for-profit partners.

Documents Needed

  • Completed proposal forms in CAMS.
  • PDF assessment criteria attachment.
  • Construction or renovation timeline, floor plans, and cost breakdown, if applicable.
  • Documentation to establish institutional eligibility, if applicable.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Canadian colleges recognized as CFI-eligible.

Who is not eligible

  • Institutions that are not Canadian colleges recognized as CFI-eligible.

Eligible expenses

  • Acquisition and development of research infrastructure.
  • Taxes net of credits, shipping, and installation tied to eligible infrastructure.
  • Operating and maintenance costs for funded projects through the Infrastructure Operating Fund.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Activities or infrastructure that duplicate existing regional services or facilities.
  • Activities or infrastructure used to compete with private-sector businesses.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are first checked through an administrative review for completeness and compliance.
  • Eligible proposals then move to expert review, where strengths and weaknesses are assessed against the criteria.
  • Proposals that meet the threshold advance to the Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee for a second-stage review.
  • The CFI Board of Directors makes the final funding decision at its March meeting.
  • Institutions are notified in CAMS, and projects may begin once the decision has been communicated.

Additional information

  • Recipient institutions should assess and mitigate research security risks for funded projects.
  • The CFI encourages applicants and reviewers to avoid using generative AI tools with proposal material.
  • Public funding announcements are organized by the Government of Canada after decisions are made.

Contacts

eligibility@innovation.ca

Frequently Asked Questions about the CFI — College Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the CFI — College Fund. 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 CFI — College Fund?

Supports Canadian colleges building research infrastructure for applied research and technology development with partners. Requests can range from $60,000 to $1 million, and projects must address Canadian industry or community needs.

How much funding can be received?

CFI — College Fund Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is **September 17, 2026**. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.

Who is eligible for the CFI — College Fund program?

To be eligible for the CFI — College Fund program, you must: CFI-eligible Canadian college Applied research or technology development project Partner-based innovation project

What expenses are eligible under CFI — College Fund?

Acquiring research infrastructure to enhance applied research capacity. Developing research infrastructure to support technology development. Collaborative applied research and technology development with public, private, or not-for-profit partners.

Who can I contact for more information about the CFI — College Fund?

You can contact Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) by email at eligibility@innovation.ca.

Where is the CFI — College Fund available?

The CFI — College Fund program is available across Canada.

More programs like this