Critical Minerals Innovation Fund ON Canada

Critical Minerals Innovation Fund

ON, Canada
Critical Minerals Innovation Fund supports projects that strengthen Ontario's critical minerals sector through research, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single_labels|preview
grant_single_labels|projects
grant_single_labels|admissibility
grant_single_labels|criteria
grant_single_labels|register
grant_single_labels|otherInfo

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|maxCount
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|openingDateNovember 24, 2022
  • grant_single|closingDateJuly 17, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
  • Government of Ontario
  • Ministry of Mines (ON)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed

grant_single_labels|preview

The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) supports projects in Ontario's critical minerals sector by funding research, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies related to key priority areas such as battery supply chain, deep exploration and mining techniques, minerals recovery, and other projects supporting the critical minerals sector. Eligible activities include prototyping, product testing, intellectual property protection, commercialization activities, and building capacity for the critical minerals supply chain.

grant_single_labels|projects

Projects eligible for the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund include:
  • Battery supply chain
  • Innovative techniques for deep exploration and mining
  • Recovery of minerals
  • Other innovative projects that support the critical minerals sector
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$500,000

Hamilton
Install advanced sensor technology for real-time mineral recovery analysis

$500,000

London
Create a prototype for a new cobalt extraction technique

$500,000

Toronto
Develop a prototype for a new lithium battery recycling process

$500,000

Ottawa
Develop a new AI-driven mineral exploration software

$500,000

Thunder Bay
Commercialize a new mineral recovery technology for nickel extraction

$500,000

Sudbury
Implement deep exploration techniques for rare earth elements

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for this grant are:
  • You are either a private-sector business or collaborating with a public-sector academic or research institution, or a non-profit organization or association.
  • The project will take place in Ontario.
  • The project involves research, development, and/or commercialization of innovative technologies, techniques, processes, or solutions for critical minerals.
  • The project is not receiving funding from any other Government of Ontario program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible types of companies for the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund grant in Ontario include private-sector businesses and private-sector businesses collaborating with public-sector academic or research institutions, non-profit organizations, or associations.
  • Private-sector businesses
  • Private-sector businesses collaborating with public-sector academic or research institutions, non-profit organizations, or associations

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Based on the eligibility criteria outlined in the grant context, companies affiliated with individuals listed under specific economic measures acts or collaborating with certain named research organizations may not be eligible for the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund.
  • Companies affiliated with listed persons under the Special Economic Measures Act or the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act are not eligible.
  • Companies operating in collaboration with named research organizations under the federal government's Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern may not be eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include research and development activities, prototyping costs, product testing, intellectual property protection costs, commercialization activities, building or renovation costs, prototype demonstration costs, product certification costs, and research and development services provided by external companies.
  • Research and development activities
  • Commercialization activities

grant_single_labels|criteria

Evaluation and selection criteria are used to assess the suitability of project proposals for the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. The factors considered include technology innovation, collaboration potential, sector investment, resiliency enhancement, and intellectual property generation.
  • Does the project propose a new or improved technology or processes (including development or progress made on technology commercialization and prototyping)?
  • Does the project have potential to increase cross-sector investment in critical minerals exploration and development projects?
  • Does the project have potential to enhance collaboration among sectors?
  • Does the project have potential to enhance resiliency and competitiveness of Ontario’s critical minerals sector?
  • Does the project have potential to increase research and development relating to critical minerals in Ontario's key priority areas?
  • Does the project have potential to increase mineral investment in Ontario?
  • Does the applicant have a demonstrated ability to deliver a project of this scale?
  • Can the project be scaled-up or expanded upon in the future?
  • Does the project result in new intellectual property that you intend to file or protect in Canada?
  • Does the project propose to extract additional value from mining wastes?
  • Can the applicant demonstrate evidence of its previous research and development experience?

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1: Application Period and Platform
  • Step 2: Register and Apply Online
  • Step 3: Funding Agreement and Insurance Requirements
  • Step 4: Reporting Obligations

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are some miscellaneous information about the grant:
  • The funding agreement must be executed and all conditions met before funding disbursements.
  • Applicants must demonstrate commitment to the project by securing all other project financing.
  • Proof of required insurance is necessary before funding is provided.
  • Reporting requirements include submitting interim and final project reports.
Apply to this program