Closed
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream
Funding for critical minerals infrastructure development
Last Update: June 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : June 27, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
This program provides up to $50 million per project, or up to $100 million for provincial and territorial governments. It supports preconstruction and shovel-ready clean energy and transportation infrastructure for critical minerals development in Canada.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : June 27, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 20 employees minimum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
- Not Elsewhere Classified
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Preconstruction studies, planning, and design
- Clean energy infrastructure development
- Transportation infrastructure development
- Site preparation, construction, and upgrades
- Community and Indigenous engagement activities
Documents Needed
- Articles of incorporation or proof of registration
- Business or ownership structure
- Organizational chart
- Detailed budget, cash flow projections, and sources of funding
- Audited financial statements
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian incorporated for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
- Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations
- Industry associations and public utilities
Who is not eligible
- Organizations not legally registered in Canada
- Projects located outside Canada
- Entities without control of the project elements
Eligible expenses
- Materials and equipment
- Professional services, research, and engineering
- Salaries and benefits
- Administrative costs, within limits
- Engagement, consultation, and training costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land acquisition and real estate fees
- Litigation-related legal costs
- General operating and maintenance costs
- Project application preparation costs
- Fossil-fuel energy equipment and rolling stock
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Nunavik region of Quebec
- Nunatsiavut region of Newfoundland and Labrador
Selection criteria
- Support for critical minerals production
- Economic development benefits
- Indigenous participation and benefits
- Environmental performance and GHG reductions for energy projects
- Project feasibility, readiness, and risk management
How to apply
1
Register in portal
- Create a profile in the secure NRCan funding portal using a Government of Canada GCKey.
- Prepare the required application information and supporting documents before starting the submission.
2
Submit EOI
- Submit an optional Expression of Interest through the NRCan funding portal to confirm whether the project fits the CMIF call for proposals.
- Use the EOI to establish the applicant profile and to identify any issues before a full application.
3
Complete application
- Complete the full application in the portal with project, financial, technical, and organizational information.
- Attach the required documents, including budget, work plan, risk plan, maps, and mining and value chain supporting documents.
4
Submit application
- Submit the complete application before the applicable deadline for the selected stream.
- Wait for the completeness and eligibility screening and, if retained, the full assessment by NRCan.
5
Await decision
- If the application is successful, receive a conditional funding offer from NRCan.
- Proceed to negotiate and sign the contribution agreement before any funding commitment is confirmed.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility
- Eligible files are assessed for project merit, feasibility, risks, and benefits
- Successful applicants receive a conditional funding offer
- A contribution agreement is negotiated before funding is paid
- Projects may require reporting and repayment terms if funding is conditionally repayable
Additional information
- EOIs are strongly encouraged before a full application.
- Applications go through completeness and eligibility screening first.
- Approved projects require a contribution agreement before funding.
- Projects may also be referred to the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready StreamSupports infrastructure projects for critical minerals development in Canada
Frequently Asked Questions about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream Program
What is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream?
This program provides up to $50 million per project, or up to $100 million for provincial and territorial governments. It supports preconstruction and shovel-ready clean energy and transportation infrastructure for critical minerals development in Canada.
How much funding can be received?
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream program?
To be eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream program, you must:
Registered Canadian entity
Critical minerals infrastructure project
Project located in Canada
What expenses are eligible under Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream?
Preconstruction studies, planning, and design
Clean energy infrastructure development
Transportation infrastructure development
Site preparation, construction, and upgrades
Community and Indigenous engagement activities
Who can I contact for more information about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at cmif-fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream available?
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream program is available across Canada.
Is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream is a Grant and Funding