Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction Stream

Who is eligible?

• For-profit and not-for-profit organizations registered or incorporated in Canada, including companies and industry associations
• Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments and related organizations (e.g., Crown corporations, public utilities, ports)
• Indigenous groups, communities, governments, councils, and Indigenous-majority-owned entities

Who is not eligible

• Companies whose infrastructure is solely aimed at the transport of people or equipment, such as landing strips, with no direct link to the transport or production of critical minerals.
• Projects whose transport infrastructure does not specifically pertain to critical minerals.
• Companies operating non-permanent structures, such as ice roads or winter roads, unless justified permanent elements are included.
• Companies proposing ineligible expenses such as land acquisition, litigation costs, or general operating and maintenance expenses.

Eligible expenses

• Materials and equipment directly required for the project.
• Professional services such as research, engineering, planning, and design work related to the project.
• Salaries and benefits for personnel engaged in project activities.
• Administrative costs directly attributable to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

• Projects must be located entirely in Canada.

• The application window for Stream 1 – Preconstruction closes on June 27, 2025, at 8 p.m. PST, and for Stream 2 – Shovel Ready on March 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. PST.
• Applicants impacted by wildfires may request an extension to the Stream 1 deadline by contacting the program before June 27, 2025.
• Project costs may be funded up to March 31, 2030.
• CMIF applications will be shared with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) for potential investment assessment, which could adjust the federal contribution amount.