Open
Closing Soon
Fabrication Process Development Challenge
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Canada
Supports development and commercialization of Canadian semiconductor fabrication processes
Researchers And Facilities
Partnering and Collaboration
Grant and Funding
Overview
Provides up to $1M in non-repayable funding (up to 40%) to strengthen Canadian semiconductor fabrication process capability and access. Supports development and commercialization of made-in-Canada processes, including research institute prototyping processes (MEMS, compound semiconductors, quantum, photonics) and silicon photonics-related processes.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- No objectives are currently available
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 3 employees minimum
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Activities funded
- Developing and expanding fabrication processes that leverage Canadian Research Institute commercial prototyping capability (MEMS, compound semiconductors, quantum, and photonics)
- Developing silicon photonics-related fabrication processes
- Providing prototyping and low- to medium-volume fabrication services to enable commercialization of advanced sensors and other semiconductor products
- Building new process capability and/or capacity that is broadly accessible to the Canadian ecosystem
Documents Needed
- Expression of Interest (EOI) submission (via the Blackbaud portal)
- EOI Attestation and Signature form (completed and uploaded)
- Full proposal (for applicants invited after EOI acceptance)
- Any supporting letters referenced in the assessment criteria (e.g., customers/advisors/industry experts)
Eligibility
- Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) are incorporated/registered in Canada and have significant operations in Canada
- At least one of the Lead or Co-Lead organizations is an SME (under 500 employees)
- Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) are FABrIC Members
- Lead and Co-Lead organization(s) have at least three full-time equivalent employees
- The project develops or expands eligible fabrication processes with a clear path to commercialization and alignment to FABrIC strategic objectives
Who is eligible?
- For-profit SMEs (under 500 employees) incorporated/registered in Canada
- Not-for-profit organizations in Canada
- Post-secondary institutions in Canada
- Research institutes in Canada wholly owned by Canadian post-secondary institutions
- Indigenous organizations in Canada
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Organizations that are not FABrIC Members (Lead/Co-Lead)
Eligible expenses
- Direct labour
- Direct materials
- Subcontractors (including NREs)
- Other direct expenses
- Overhead
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Capital equipment purchases
- Designated Projects under applicable federal environmental and impact assessment legislation
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Commercial opportunity and outcomes (e.g., target markets, customers, competitors, commercialization plan, revenue forecasts, scale-up plans)
- Advancement of the FABrIC ecosystem and benefits to Canada (e.g., job creation/HQP training, IP protection and commercialization in Canada, sovereignty and security impacts, collaboration)
- Project execution plan and likelihood of success (e.g., clear roles, milestones/KPIs/deliverables, feasible timeline, risk management, incrementality and need for support)
- EOI pass/fail screening includes organizational eligibility, project alignment, market/commercialization readiness, and ability to execute (including TRL expectations)
How to apply
- Step 1: Access the application portal
- Use the EOI application link to open the FABrIC Challenges Portal (Blackbaud)
- Create a Blackbaud account (or sign in) to start an application
- Step 2: Prepare the Expression of Interest
- Complete the EOI in line with the Round 2 Challenge Guide
- Use the EOI template as a reference (template is for reference only)
- Step 3: Upload required form(s)
- Complete the EOI Attestation and Signature template
- Upload the attestation/signature form into the portal
- Step 4: Submit by the deadline
- Submit a complete EOI through the portal before the posted deadline
- Step 5: Submit a full proposal (if invited)
- If your EOI is accepted, prepare and submit a full proposal by the stated full-proposal deadline
Processing and Agreement
- EOIs are screened by the FABrIC Challenge team for eligibility (pass/fail criteria)
- Successful EOI applicants are notified and invited to submit a full proposal
- FABrIC conducts a financial assessment of Lead and Co-Lead organizations at full proposal stage
- Independent expert assessment panel reviews, scores, and ranks full proposals; the FABrIC Advisory Committee recommends projects for funding
- CMC Board approves funding; successful applicants proceed to an Ultimate Recipient Agreement, and unsuccessful applicants are notified with a summary of reasons
Additional information
- Projects must keep foreground IP in Canada for at least five years after project completion
- All project work must be performed in Canada unless pre-approved (up to 10% outside Canada)
- A management fee of 2.5% of funding is payable to CMC Microsystems for program administration
- Recipients must submit quarterly activity reports and financial claims with supporting documentation
Contacts
challenges@fabricinnovation.ca
