Cyber Security Innovation Network

Who is eligible?

• Centres of expertise on cyber security affiliated with Canadian post-secondary institutions
• Private sector companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger enterprises
• Canadian post-secondary institutions (e.g., research centres, universities, colleges, polytechnics)
• Not-for-profit organizations (including industry associations, incubators, accelerators, and skills development organizations)

Who is not eligible

• Individuals (not eligible to apply as lead applicants).
• Municipal, provincial, territorial, and federal governments (not eligible to apply as lead applicants).

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits for faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral candidates, researchers, support engineers, and administrative staff directly related to the project.
• Direct research costs, including facility access, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Stipends for project personnel.
• Costs associated with knowledge mobilization, technology exchange, and exploitation (such as prototype development, market studies, and intellectual property related to research).
• Up to 20% of funds for equipment and infrastructure used in research, development, and student/researcher training.
• Direct labour costs for project delivery.
• Subcontractor and consulting fees associated with project activities.
• Travel and outreach expenses directly related to project implementation.
• Eligible indirect costs (overhead), up to program-defined thresholds.

Eligible geographic areas

• Pan-Canadian: Centres of expertise and partners from Western/Northern Canada, Central Canada (including both Ontario and Quebec), and Atlantic Canada must be included.

• Strength of proposed activities in research and development, commercialization, and skills and talent development.
• Quality and completeness of program requirements: intellectual property strategy, data management strategy, cyber security plan, cost-matching commitments, equity, diversity and inclusion framework, and network sustainability plan.
• Expected benefits to Canada, including innovation, economic, and public benefits, such as ecosystem impact, collaboration, level of innovation, commercialization potential, job creation, and diversification of skilled talent.
• Rigour of due diligence risk assessment, evaluating managerial, technical, security, financial, trade, and market capacities to achieve program objectives.

• Step 1: Request Application PackageSend an email to cybersecuritynetwork-reseaucybersecurite@ised-isde.gc.ca to request the Cyber Security Innovation Network application package.
• Step 2: Prepare ApplicationComplete the Application Form.
• Fill in Appendix A: Financial history of activities supporting cyber security research and development, commercialization, and skills and talent development.
• Fill in Appendix B: List of participating organizations in the network.
• Fill in Appendix C: Costing and financing workbook.
• Review the reference document: Appendix D – Cost principles (for guidance).
• Obtain letters of commitment demonstrating secured matching contributions for the cost-matching requirement.
• Compile all required supporting documentation and ensure accuracy across all materials.
• Step 3: Submit ApplicationEmail the complete application package and supporting documentation to cybersecuritynetwork-reseaucybersecurite@ised-isde.gc.ca.
• Submit before the stated deadline (do not submit by mail or fax).
• Step 4: Receive AcknowledgementExpect an acknowledgement of submission from ISED within 48 business hours of receipt of your application.
• Step 5: Application Review and AssessmentApplications will undergo an initial screening for completeness and eligibility by program officers.
• Eligible applications will be advanced for full merit-based assessment by an advisory group.
• Shortlisted applicants may be invited to discuss proposals virtually with the advisory group.
• Step 6: Notification of ResultsApplicants will be notified in writing of the funding decision after completion of assessment and ministerial review.
• Step 7: Finalize Contribution AgreementIf selected, negotiate, sign, and execute a formal contribution agreement with ISED to access funding.

• Contributions received from foreign entities are not eligible for cash or in-kind matching and must be kept separate from network-funded activities.
• The lead recipient is required to provide communications and services in both official languages, complying with the Official Languages Act.
• The program is subject to the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, which may affect confidentiality and record retention.
• Ongoing oversight, including the submission of annual corporate plans and performance reports, is mandatory throughout the funding period.