Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund – Shovel ready Stream

• Expression of Interest form
• Full application form and supporting documents
• Project budget template
• Work plan template
• Greenhouse gas emissions template

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.

• 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.

• Step 1: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Access the secure NRCan funding portal.
  • Complete the EOI form, including sections on applicant profile, organization type, infrastructure project name and type, stream selection (Preconstruction or Shovel ready), location, project description, timeline, costs, critical minerals information, and any additional government funding.
  • Submit the EOI as early as possible, and no later than April 30, 2025 (Stream 1) or January 5, 2026 (Stream 2).
  • Await feedback from the CMIF program (response typically within 10 business days).
• Step 2: Prepare Full Application
  • Gather all required documentation and details relevant to the application, such as regulatory approvals, technical reports, impact assessments, and project feasibility studies.
  • Consult the CMIF applicant guide for specific requirements and documentation checklists.
• Step 3: Submit Full Application
  • For Stream 1 (Preconstruction), submit your complete application package through the NRCan funding portal by June 27, 2025, at 8 p.m. PST. Applications are assessed and ranked after the application window closes.
  • For Stream 2 (Shovel ready), submit your completed application by March 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. PST; applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis and assessed in order of receipt.
• Step 4: Application Review and Assessment
  • Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility.
  • Eligible applications undergo interdepartmental assessment for project feasibility, risks, and anticipated benefits.
• Step 5: Receive Notification and Negotiate Agreement
  • Receive notification regarding the outcome of your application.
  • If successful, engage in negotiations for a contribution agreement based on the conditional funding offer.

• 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.

• 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.