Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Who is eligible for the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives program?

To be eligible for the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives program, you must: • External collaborators from academia or industry • Participation in NRC Challenge programs

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives?

You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC).

Last Update: September 23, 2025

Canada

Supports collaborative R&D addressing major Canadian policy challenges

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Public administration

Funds Providers

National Research Council Canada

Program status

Closed

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.

Financing terms and conditions

$150 million in federal funding allocated over 5 years, with $30 million per year ongoing for the program as a whole.
$75 million in grants and contributions (G&Cs) was disbursed to external collaborators between April 2018 and February 2023.
219 grants and 44 contributions provided during the specified timeframe.
85% of total grants and contributions given to academic institutions; 5% to industry collaborators.
Estimated $47 million in in-kind contributions from all 14 NRC research centres.

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:

$ 145,000

Developing AI-powered early detection for wildfires and forest health

$ 146,500

Quantum encryption pilot for Indigenous healthcare data exchanges

$ 147,800

Deploying sensors and AI to improve urban air pollution modeling

$ 148,000

Pilot-scale production of green hydrogen from municipal waste streams

$ 149,000

Biomanufacturing cell therapy approaches for pandemic preparedness research

$ 145,500

Home robotics innovations supporting independent aging and health monitoring

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.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives. 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 Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives?

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.