Closed
Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program
Supports advanced critical minerals pilot projects
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000,000
Timeline
- Open Date : September 11, 2023
- Closing date : September 29, 2023
Location
Canada
Overview
Provides up to $5 million per project for advanced critical minerals pilot and demonstration projects. Supports processing, recycling, and pre-commercial technologies that advance Canadian value chains.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 11, 2023
- Closing date : September 29, 2023
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- 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
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Pilot plants and demonstration projects for critical mineral processing
- Testing and piloting of recycling and reprocessing technologies
- Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
- Front-end engineering and design studies
Documents Needed
- Full project proposal form
- Applicant financial report
- Detailed project budget
- Detailed statement of work
- Risk analysis and supporting TRL documents
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit and not-for-profit companies
- Industry and research associations
- Academic institutions
- Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments
- Indigenous communities and organizations
Who is not eligible
- Projects involving downstream manufacturing R&D under GPI
- Applicants outside the eligible Canadian recipient categories for CMRDD
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and benefits for project staff
- Professional, scientific, technical and contracting services
- Travel, meals, and accommodation
- Equipment, materials, testing, and commissioning costs
- Project-related overhead and office operating costs, up to 15%
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Mining activities, drilling, and exploration programs
- Environmental characterization of waste
- Reclamation and disposal activities
- Sampling or source feed acquisition
- Downstream manufacturing research and development
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility.
- Only the most innovative projects aligned with program objectives are selected.
- Successful applicants must enter a contribution agreement within three months of approval.
- Selected projects may be subject to due diligence before final funding.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program?
Provides up to $5 million per project for advanced critical minerals pilot and demonstration projects. Supports processing, recycling, and pre-commercial technologies that advance Canadian value chains.
How much funding can be received?
Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was September 29, 2023.
Who is eligible for the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program program?
To be eligible for the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program program, you must:
TRL 6 to 8 project
Critical minerals processing or recycling
Commercialization path required
What expenses are eligible under Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program?
Pilot plants and demonstration projects for critical mineral processing
Testing and piloting of recycling and reprocessing technologies
Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
Front-end engineering and design studies
Who can I contact for more information about the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at criticalmineralsrdd-minerauxcritiquesrdd@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.
Where is the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program available?
The Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program program is available across Canada.