Critical Minerals Innovation Fund

• Completed application form
• Required attachments
• Valid Certificate of Insurance

Who is eligible?

The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) is open to specific types of applicants who can contribute to Ontario’s critical minerals sector through innovative projects. Prospective applicants must fulfill certain eligibility criteria to be considered for funding.

• Private-sector businesses engaged in critical minerals exploration, mining, development, production, or processing.
• Collaborative projects involving a private-sector business and a public-sector academic or research institution, or a non-profit organization or association, with one entity acting as the lead applicant and funding recipient.
• Projects must be located in Ontario and focus on research, development, and/or commercialization of innovative technologies related to the fund's key priority areas.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and entities due to associations with restrictions under specific Canadian laws. These limitations aim to ensure compliance with national and international policies.

• Applicants who are listed under the Special Economic Measures Act.
• Entities associated with persons listed under the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).
• Organizations affiliated with entities listed in the Named Research Organizations as per the federal Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.

Eligible expenses

The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) provides funding for projects that enhance Ontario's critical minerals sector through innovation. Eligible projects must focus on research, development, or commercialization efforts in one or more key priority areas.

• Research and development projects related to the battery supply chain, including mineral exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling.
• Projects utilizing innovative techniques for deep exploration and mining to access resources in deep or remote areas.
• Initiatives focused on the recovery of minerals from mining wastes to extract additional value.
• Innovative projects that support Ontario's Critical Minerals Strategy, such as reprocessing spent batteries for metal recovery.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies specifically operating within Ontario, Canada. The initiative focuses on projects taking place in Ontario to support the region's critical minerals sector.

• Businesses located in Ontario, Canada.

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program's objectives.

• Innovation: Assessment of new or improved technology or processes, including commercialization and prototyping advancements.
• Investment Potential: Potential to increase cross-sector investment in critical minerals exploration and development projects.
• Collaboration: Capacity to enhance collaboration among different sectors, such as industry, academia, and research organizations.
• Resiliency and Competitiveness: Ability to enhance the resiliency and competitiveness of Ontario’s critical minerals sector.
• Research and Development: Potential to increase R&D related to Ontario's key priority areas in the critical minerals sector.
• Mineral Investment: Potential to boost mineral investment within Ontario.
• Project Delivery: Demonstrated ability of the applicant to deliver a project of the proposed scale.
• Scalability: Possibility of scaling-up or expanding the project in the future.
• Intellectual Property: Creation of new intellectual property and the intention to file or protect it in Canada.
• Value Extraction: Proposal to extract additional value from mining wastes.
• R&D Experience: Evidence of the applicant's previous research and development experience.

• Step 1: Create an Ontario.ca Login on Transfer Payment Ontario.
• Step 2: Log in to TPON and register your organization.
• Step 3: Find the CMIF in the list of funding opportunities.
• Step 4: Download, complete, and submit the application form with any necessary attachments.

• Applications are reviewed after submission through Transfer Payment Ontario.
• Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement before any disbursement.
• Funding is released in installments after agreement execution and report review.
• Interim and final project reports are required, with deadlines set in the funding agreement.

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.