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CFI — Innovation Fund
Supports research infrastructure for world-class research
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : September 29, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The CFI Innovation Fund supports research infrastructure across the full research spectrum at eligible Canadian institutions. It funds acquisitions and development of infrastructure for world-class research, with up to 40% of eligible infrastructure costs and associated operating and maintenance support.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : September 29, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Acquisition or development of research infrastructure.
- Support for research and technology development across disciplines.
- Creation, renewal, or upgrade of core research facilities.
Documents Needed
- Institutional agreement
- Notice of intent
- Proposal
- Project summary
- Required supporting documents for the selected stream
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Universities
- Colleges
- Research hospitals
- Research institutes
- Non-profit research institutions
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations and agencies of for-profit entities.
- Federal departments, departmental corporations, Crown corporations, and wholly owned subsidiaries of Crown corporations.
- Provincial or territorial departments, agencies, or Crown corporations.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase and installation of research equipment and components.
- Shipping, transportation, and installation costs, including brokerage fees, excise taxes, and duties.
- Warranties and service contracts for eligible infrastructure.
- Software subscriptions and licences required for research.
- Laboratory furniture and essential communications infrastructure tied to research activities.
- Travel expenses to manufacturers, dealers, or suppliers for infrastructure selection, including carbon offsets.
- Initial training for main operators of the research infrastructure.
- Salaries and benefits of professional, technical, and managerial staff (including consultants and contractors) directly involved in design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, construction, or renovation of the infrastructure.
- Construction or renovation costs required to house and use the research infrastructure or to conduct research (including direct costs, soft costs such as planning, architectural and design services, permits, insurance, and contingency costs up to 10%).
- Acquisition or specialized development of research databases or digital libraries for the project.
- Costs for maintenance, repairs, and supplies required for the operation and maintenance of CFI-funded infrastructure (with some limits, e.g., consumables up to 10% of certain funding).
- Extended warranties, service contracts, and replacement parts specifically for CFI-funded infrastructure.
- Essential utilities and services (e.g., electricity, security, cleaning) directly supporting eligible infrastructure spaces.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are reviewed by Expert Committees, then Multidisciplinary Assessment Committees, and, in some cases, a Special Multidisciplinary Assessment Committee.
- Funding decisions are made by the CFI Board of Directors.
- Approved projects move to award finalization before funding is released.
- An award agreement is signed before instalments are paid.
Additional information
- Institutions must sign an institutional agreement before applying.
- Only eligible institutions, not individual researchers, may submit.
- Applications are assessed through expert committees and multidisciplinary review.
Frequently Asked Questions about the CFI — Innovation Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CFI — Innovation 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 — Innovation Fund?
The CFI Innovation Fund supports research infrastructure across the full research spectrum at eligible Canadian institutions. It funds acquisitions and development of infrastructure for world-class research, with up to 40% of eligible infrastructure costs and associated operating and maintenance support.
How much funding can be received?
CFI — Innovation Fund Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CFI — Innovation Fund program?
To be eligible for the CFI — Innovation Fund program, you must:
Eligible Canadian institution
Research and training activities
CFI funding administration capacity
What expenses are eligible under CFI — Innovation Fund?
Acquisition or development of research infrastructure.
Support for research and technology development across disciplines.
Creation, renewal, or upgrade of core research facilities.
Who can I contact for more information about the CFI — Innovation Fund?
You can contact Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
Where is the CFI — Innovation Fund available?
The CFI — Innovation Fund program is available across Canada.
Is the CFI — Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CFI — Innovation Fund is a Grant and Funding