How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Cyber Security Innovation Network?

Cyber Security Innovation Network is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

What are Cyber Security Innovation Network's eligibility criterias?

Participate as a partner in a network led by three or more Canadian centres of expertise on cyber security affiliated with post-secondary institutions. Be part of a pan-Canadian consortium, including private sector partners. Ability to provide matching funds (cash and/or in-kind contributions) for eligible project activities.

Cyber Security Innovation Network

Last Update: April 23, 2025

Canada

Supports pan-Canadian cyber security research, commercialization, and talent development

Cyber Security Innovation Network at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : May 6, 2021
Closing date : July 25, 2021

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services

Grant Providers

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Status

Closed

Overview of the Cyber Security Innovation Network program

The Cyber Security Innovation Network Program, funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, aims to support a national network to enhance Canada's cyber security ecosystem through academic-industry collaboration. With an $80 million investment over four years, the program focuses on research and development, commercialization of cyber security innovations, and the development of skilled cyber security talent. Eligible activities include collaborative technology R&D, commercialization initiatives, and innovative approaches to address skills and labour gaps in the cyber security sector.

Financing terms and conditions

Total funding available: up to $80 million over four years (2021-22 to 2024-25).
The program contribution will not exceed 50% of total eligible costs for recipients, except academic institutions, which may receive up to 100% for their eligible costs.
Recipients must provide a 1:1 match to the federal contribution, totaling an additional $80 million in cash and/or in-kind contributions over four years.
Indirect costs (overhead) are subject to specific limits: a maximum of 55% of eligible direct labour costs, and no more than 15% of total eligible costs per recipient.
Costs incurred outside Canada cannot exceed 10% of total eligible costs submitted.

Eligible projects & activities

Collaborative research and development of innovative cyber security technologies, products, or services.
Commercialization initiatives to bring new cyber security solutions to market, including activities that help companies expand and access new customers.
Development and implementation of national initiatives to address cyber security skills and labour gaps, such as training programs, curriculum development, and work-integrated learning opportunities.
Organization of conferences, workshops, and networking events to foster collaboration between stakeholders in academia, industry, and government.
Projects aimed at enhancing collaboration between Canadian post-secondary institutions, the private sector, and other partners to accelerate innovation in cyber security.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 200,000

Creating a cybersecurity knowledge-sharing network for Canada's public healthcare sector

$ 300,000

Launching a national cyber security skills pipeline initiative to bridge the labour gap

$ 150,000

Enhancing cybersecurity training for Indigenous communities through educational workshops and online modules

$ 200,000

Commercializing a blockchain-based secure transaction platform for financial institutions

$ 200,000

Developing an AI-based intrusion detection system in collaboration with local universities

$ 250,000

Launching a cybersecurity research lab focused on IoT security for smart cities

Eligibility criteria of the Cyber Security Innovation Network program

The applicant must be a network led by three or more Canadian centres of expertise on cyber security affiliated with post-secondary institutions.
The applicant must be federally incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (incorporation must be prior to signing the contribution agreement, but not necessarily at the time of application).
The network must represent diversity within Canada's cyber security ecosystem, including pan-Canadian participation (with centres and partners from Western/Northern Canada, Central Canada including Ontario and Quebec, and Atlantic Canada).
The proposal must include commitments from partners (private sector, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profits, and/or provincial/territorial/municipal governments) to provide matching funds on a 1:1 basis with federal funding.
The applicant must demonstrate a national vision for cyber security research, development, commercialization, and talent development.

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.

Eligibility criteria of the Cyber Security Innovation Network program

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.

How to apply to the Cyber Security Innovation Network program

Request Application Package

Send an email to cybersecuritynetwork-reseaucybersecurite@ised-isde.gc.ca to request the Cyber Security Innovation Network application package.

Prepare Application

Complete the Application Form available in the package.
Prepare Appendix A - Financial history of activities, Appendix B - List of Participating Organizations, and Appendix C - Costing and Financing Workbook.
Ensure all documents adhere to the guidelines and requirements outlined in the reference document Appendix D - Cyber Security Innovation Network cost principles.
Secure letters of commitment from partners to meet cost-matching requirements.
Compile all necessary supporting documents as specified in the application guidelines.

Submit Application

Send the completed application package via email to cybersecuritynetwork-reseaucybersecurite@ised-isde.gc.ca by the deadline of 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST) on July 25, 2021.
Ensure submissions are made by email only, as mailed or faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Acknowledgment of Submission

Receive acknowledgment of application submission within 48 business hours.
Retain acknowledgment for your records as proof of submission.

Assessment Process

ISED will review submitted applications to confirm completeness and eligibility.
Applicants will be notified in writing if their applications proceed to full assessment.

Additional information

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.

Contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

cybersecuritynetwork-reseaucybersecurite@ised-isde.gc.ca

1-800-328-6189

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