Closed
Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals
Supporting digital and industrial innovation in construction retrofits
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 850,000
Timeline
- Open Date : July 17, 2025
- Closing date : September 4, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program provides up to $850,000 per project in non-repayable funding over three years to support demonstration and pilot projects accelerating residential retrofits through advanced digital and industrialized construction practices. Eligible activities include technology validation, productivity improvement measures, and scalable solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions in Canada's construction sector.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 850,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : July 17, 2025
- Closing date : September 4, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Construction
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Pilot and demonstration projects focused on accelerating residential building retrofits using advanced and digital construction practices.
- Implementation of industrialized construction methods to enhance productivity and reduce emissions in retrofit construction projects.
- Validation and comparison of innovative construction technologies and techniques against traditional practices in real-world settings.
- Development of scalable solutions for residential building retrofits, ensuring adaptation across diverse communities and regions in Canada.
- Collaborative projects that include both industry and technology partners to address productivity, efficiency, and commercialization pathways in the construction sector.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Academic institutions
- Research institutions
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Local and provincial governments
- Indigenous groups, governments, and representative organizations
- Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 500 employees)
Eligible expenses
- Salaries for highly qualified personnel (HQP) working on project activities.
- Direct research support costs, including consumable materials, supplies, and equipment up to $10,000.
- Travel and accommodation expenses required specifically for the execution of the project.
- Contractor services directly related to the project, such as professional services fees.
- Indirect costs necessary for general business operations, up to a maximum of 10% of total eligible project costs.
- Reasonable and necessary costs for research equipment of $10,000 or more, including testing tools, instruments, computer equipment, secure equipment, and information technology costs (e.g., high-performance computers and secure servers) when justified for project achievement.
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations and enterprises located anywhere in Canada.
Additional information
- All applicants must review the NRC Statement on Research Security and understand measures for safeguarding research and intellectual property.
- Projects must demonstrate a clear deployment pathway to scalable commercialization.
- A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) must be integrated into full proposals, including project team composition and research methods.
- An external steering committee will be established by the NRC to guide project outcomes for industry and partner adoption.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals. 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 Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals?
The Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program provides up to $850,000 per project in non-repayable funding over three years to support demonstration and pilot projects accelerating residential retrofits through advanced digital and industrialized construction practices. Eligible activities include technology validation, productivity improvement measures, and scalable solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions in Canada's construction sector.
How much funding can be received?
Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals Funds up to $850,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 4, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals program?
To be eligible for the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals program, you must:
Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (fewer than 500 employees)
Includes not-for-profit organizations, academic and research institutions, local/provincial governments, and Indigenous groups
Projects must involve collaboration with at least one NRC researcher
What expenses are eligible under Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals?
Pilot and demonstration projects focused on accelerating residential building retrofits using advanced and digital construction practices.
Implementation of industrialized construction methods to enhance productivity and reduce emissions in retrofit construction projects.
Validation and comparison of innovative construction technologies and techniques against traditional practices in real-world settings.
Development of scalable solutions for residential building retrofits, ensuring adaptation across diverse communities and regions in Canada.
Collaborative projects that include both industry and technology partners to address productivity, efficiency, and commercialization pathways in the construction sector.
Who can I contact for more information about the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at ConstructionDigitalization-TransformationNumeriqueConstruction@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Where is the Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals available?
The Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals program is available across Canada.