Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream
Last Update: July 17, 2025
Canada
Supports infrastructure projects for critical minerals development in Canada
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $100,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : June 27, 2025
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- Government of Canada
Status
Open
Overview of the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program
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.
Financing terms and conditions
- Funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs, or up to 75% for Arctic, Northern, and Indigenous-led projects.
- Maximum funding per project is $50 million for most applicants.
- Provincial and territorial government applicants may receive up to $100 million per project.
- Project costs may be funded up to March 31, 2030.
Eligible projects & activities
- 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.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 38,900,000
Expansion of grid connection to graphite mine with battery storage
$ 34,450,000
Construction of all-season road to support rare earths mine development
$ 24,500,000
Retrofit of hydroelectric station to boost power for cobalt mining
$ 24,900,000
Rehabilitation of a rail spur to connect nickel mine to mainline
$ 49,500,000
Installation of solar microgrid for critical minerals processing facility
$ 2,220,000
Community capacity building for Indigenous-led critical minerals infrastructure
Eligibility criteria of the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program
- The applicant must be a legal entity validly incorporated or registered in Canada, such as a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, a municipal, provincial, or territorial government or their related organizations, or an eligible Indigenous group or organization.
- The project must be located entirely within Canada and directly support the development or expansion of critical minerals resources through clean energy or transportation infrastructure.
- The infrastructure project must be tied to eligible critical minerals as identified in the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, with a demonstrable link to enabling production or expansion of these resources.
- For projects enabling a single mining site, mining projects must meet minimum development thresholds, such as having a pre-feasibility or feasibility study (with specific requirements depending on the funding stream).
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.
Eligibility criteria of the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program
- 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 to the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream program
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
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.
Contact Government of Canada
cmif-fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Apply to this program
Tax CreditsOpen
Canada
Incentivize Canadian companies to invest in clean technology
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Supports energy-efficient retrofits for Canadian freight fleets
Grant and FundingOpen
Canada
Incentives to purchase or lease medium- heavy-duty ZEVs
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding for Canadian freight industry to reduce emissions
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Canada
Financing for large-scale international infrastructure projects
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Canada
Subsidy to hire young professionals in STEM
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding for complex Indigenous IP projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding for critical mineral projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding for demonstration projects in transportation
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada
Funding for research and development projects in transportation