Closed
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream
Supports infrastructure projects for critical minerals development in Canada
Last Update: June 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000,000
Timeline
- Closing date : March 4, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel Ready Stream provides up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial governments and up to $50 million for most other applicants to support the deployment of clean energy and transportation infrastructure necessary for critical minerals development in Canada. Eligible activities include site preparation, construction, rehabilitation, capacity building, and engagement with Indigenous and local communities to enable the sustainable extraction and expansion of critical mineral resources.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : March 4, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- 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
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
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
- Construction, rehabilitation, or enhancement of infrastructure to support critical minerals production, including clean energy and transportation projects.
- Deployment of clean energy infrastructure such as grid connections, renewable energy generation technologies, and battery storage at or near mine sites.
- Development or improvement of transportation infrastructure, such as roads, rail, or marine systems, necessary for moving critical minerals and connecting mines to value chains.
- Capacity-building and engagement activities that support Indigenous and local community participation in infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
- Retrofits or upgrades of existing energy infrastructure to enable integration with electrical grids and support critical minerals operations.
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest form
- Full application form and supporting documents
- Project budget template
- Work plan template
- Greenhouse gas emissions template
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit organizations incorporated or registered in Canada
- Not-for-profit organizations incorporated or registered in Canada (including industry associations)
- Provincial, territorial, and municipal governments and their related organizations (such as provincial Crown corporations, public utilities, and ports established under provincial or territorial statutes or regulations)
- Indigenous groups, including Indigenous communities, governments, tribal councils, and Indigenous-majority-owned organizations
Who is not eligible
- Companies whose projects do not directly enable the development or expansion of critical minerals resources in Canada.
- Organizations seeking funding for infrastructure limited to the movement of people or equipment, rather than critical minerals (e.g., airstrips).
- Applicants with infrastructure projects located partially or entirely outside of Canada.
- Applicants seeking funding solely for non-permanent transportation structures such as ice or winter roads (excluding permanent elements like bridges or culverts).
Eligible expenses
- Materials and equipment directly required for the project.
- Professional services such as research and engineering related to the project.
- Salaries and benefits for staff working on the project.
- Certain administrative costs directly attributable to the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Projects must be located entirely in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Expected contribution to supporting critical minerals production in Canada.
- Quality of the application, including clarity and completeness.
- Feasibility of the project and associated project risks.
- Anticipated economic, environmental, and Indigenous reconciliation benefits and impacts.
How to apply
1
Confirm project and applicant eligibility
- Review the CMIF program details and grant requirements on the NRCan funding portal
- Confirm eligibility as a legal entity or organization in Canada
- Determine project alignment with clean energy or transportation infrastructure for critical minerals
2
Submit Expression of Interest
- Prepare and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form on the NRCan funding portal
- Provide details including applicant profile, project type, location, description, and estimated costs
- Submit the EOI before April 30, 2025 for Preconstruction or January 5, 2026 for Shovel ready stream
3
Receive and address program feedback
- Wait for feedback from the CMIF team, typically within 10 business days
- Review the program's indication of project fit within CMIF scope
- Address any issues or requests for clarification from the CMIF staff as needed
4
Prepare full application
- Prepare full application with all required documents and detailed project information
- Include technical reports, timelines, cost breakdown, and evidence of alignment with program goals
- Applications for Preconstruction stream due by June 27, 2025; Shovel ready stream by March 4, 2026
5
Submit full application
- Submit the complete application through the NRCan funding portal before the deadline
- Only complete applications meeting all evaluation criteria will be considered for funding
6
Await application review
- Wait for notification regarding eligibility and completeness of your application
- Applications for Preconstruction will be reviewed after the window closes; Shovel ready stream is assessed on a rolling basis
- Eligible applications proceed to a full assessment involving federal and provincial/territorial partners
7
Receive funding offer and negotiate agreement
- Receive a conditional funding offer if the project is successful
- Begin contribution agreement negotiations with program administrators
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first checked for completeness and eligibility.
- Eligible applications undergo a full assessment by NRCan and partner departments.
- Successful applicants receive a conditional funding offer.
- A contribution agreement is negotiated before funding is finalized.
Additional information
- Contribution funding limits are up to $50 million per project for most applicants, and up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial government applicants.
- Project costs may be funded up to March 31, 2030.
- Applications may be shared with the Canada Infrastructure Bank to assess potential investment, which could affect the final CMIF contribution amount.
- Applicants impacted by wildfires can request an extension to certain application deadlines.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Preconstruction StreamFunding for critical minerals infrastructure development
Frequently Asked Questions about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream Program
What is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream?
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel Ready Stream provides up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial governments and up to $50 million for most other applicants to support the deployment of clean energy and transportation infrastructure necessary for critical minerals development in Canada. Eligible activities include site preparation, construction, rehabilitation, capacity building, and engagement with Indigenous and local communities to enable the sustainable extraction and expansion of critical mineral resources.
How much funding can be received?
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program?
To be eligible for the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program, you must:
For-profit companies legally incorporated or registered in Canada
Project must be located entirely in Canada
Projects must enable critical minerals production through clean energy or transportation infrastructure
What expenses are eligible under Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream?
Construction, rehabilitation, or enhancement of infrastructure to support critical minerals production, including clean energy and transportation projects.
Deployment of clean energy infrastructure such as grid connections, renewable energy generation technologies, and battery storage at or near mine sites.
Development or improvement of transportation infrastructure, such as roads, rail, or marine systems, necessary for moving critical minerals and connecting mines to value chains.
Capacity-building and engagement activities that support Indigenous and local community participation in infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Retrofits or upgrades of existing energy infrastructure to enable integration with electrical grids and support critical minerals operations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at cmif-fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream available?
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program is available across Canada.
Is the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream is a Grant and Funding