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Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Canada
Supports collaborative R&D addressing major Canadian policy challenges
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program (CSTIP) provides up to $150 million in federal funding over five years, with $30 million per year ongoing, to support high-risk, high-reward collaborative research initiatives addressing Canada's public policy challenges. Eligible activities include collaborative R&D between academia, industry, and government, focusing on scientific and technological breakthroughs in priority areas such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, clean fuels, and pandemic response.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Activities funded
- Collaborative research and development addressing significant public policy challenges.
- Joint projects between academia, industry, and government targeting scientific and technological breakthroughs.
- Initiatives that foster innovation through high-risk, high-reward research collaborations.
- Programs supporting co-authored publications and intellectual property generation among multiple stakeholders.
- Participation in NRC-led Challenge programs focused on areas such as aging in place, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, cell and gene therapy, and pandemic response.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 146,500
Quantum encryption pilot for Indigenous healthcare data exchanges
$ 148,000
Pilot-scale production of green hydrogen from municipal waste streams
$ 145,500
Home robotics innovations supporting independent aging and health monitoring
$ 145,000
Developing AI-powered early detection for wildfires and forest health
$ 149,000
Biomanufacturing cell therapy approaches for pandemic preparedness research
$ 147,800
Deploying sensors and AI to improve urban air pollution modeling
Eligibility
- The applicant must be from academia, industry, or government.
- The project must involve collaborative research and development with the National Research Council (NRC) or participate in NRC Challenge programs.
- The research initiative should address significant societal or public policy challenges relevant to Canada.
Who is eligible?
- Academic institutions
- Industry partners
- Government research organizations
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies established in Canada.
Additional information
- The National Research Council’s National Program Office is responsible for day-to-day administration and oversight of the program.
- A key role in program delivery is held by innovation investment advisors, who act as impartial liaisons in the strategic oversight of R&D projects.
- Mid-term reviews are conducted for performance assessment, though no plan for long-term outcome measurement beyond the program’s midpoint currently exists.
- Recommendations have been made to strengthen accountability, organizational culture, and outcome-based management within the program structure.
