Open
Closing Soon
Fabrication Process Development Challenge
Supports development and commercialization of Canadian semiconductor fabrication processes
Last Update: April 13, 2026
Funding available
$ 200,000 - $ 1,500,000
Timeline
- Closing date : April 30, 2026
Location
Canada
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
- Closing date : April 30, 2026
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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
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
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
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fabrication Process Development Challenge Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Fabrication Process Development Challenge. 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 Fabrication Process Development Challenge?
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.
How much funding can be received?
Fabrication Process Development Challenge Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Fabrication Process Development Challenge program?
To be eligible for the Fabrication Process Development Challenge program, you must:
Incorporated/registered in Canada
FABrIC Member
SME leads (under 500 employees)
What expenses are eligible under Fabrication Process Development Challenge?
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
Who can I contact for more information about the Fabrication Process Development Challenge?
You can contact FABrIC by email at challenges@fabricinnovation.ca.
Where is the Fabrication Process Development Challenge available?
The Fabrication Process Development Challenge program is available across Canada.
Is the Fabrication Process Development Challenge a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Fabrication Process Development Challenge is a Researchers And Facilities