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Global Partnerships Initiative

Supports international critical minerals collaboration

Offered by
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Official source: canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
Up to 100% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian incorporated or registered legal entities
See full eligibility

Overview

This initiative supports pre-commercial critical minerals projects through non-repayable contributions and grants. It focuses on joint R&D, traceability, responsible resource development, and international collaboration.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum share of project costs
100%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Develop workforce skills

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Canadians
  • Startups
Legal structures
All legal structures

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

Global Partnerships Initiative application confidentiality update

The Global Partnerships Initiative page now requires applicants to keep their application and review process confidential and to avoid public disclosure without prior written authorization from NRCan.

See more

The Global Partnerships Initiative page now adds confidentiality instructions for applicants during the assessment period. Applicants must keep the process confidential through their employees, representatives, partners, consultants, and other parties acting on their behalf, and they must not make public announcements or disclose application-related information without prior written authorization from NRCan. The page details date is now shown as 2026-09-01.

Official source: canada.ca
September 20, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Canadian incorporated or registered legal entities
  • Provincial, territorial, regional, and municipal governments
  • Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations
  • International legal entities under GPI only

Who is not eligible

  • Projects involving downstream manufacturing R&D under GPI
  • Projects based only on offtake agreements under GPI

Eligible expenses

  • Salaries and benefits for project staff
  • Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services
  • Training, workshops, travel, and facility costs
  • Equipment, materials, supplies, testing, and commissioning
  • Data collection, printing, translation, permits, and overhead

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Mining activities
  • Drilling or exploration programs and studies
  • Environmental characterization of waste
  • Reclamation and disposal activities
  • Sampling or source feed acquisition

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada
  • Abroad, for joint R&D projects under GPI with allied countries

Activities funded

  • Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies
  • Front-end engineering and design studies
  • Technology testing and piloting
  • Pilot and scale-up work
  • Demonstration and deployment of critical minerals technologies

How to apply

  • Submit the EOI form via the applicant portal.

Documents Needed

  • Expression of Interest form
  • Project summary and objectives
  • TRL justification and supporting evidence
  • Financial information and funding sources
  • Partnership and collaboration details

Selection criteria

  • Technology strength and innovation
  • Economic and social impacts
  • Project advancement toward commercialization
  • Quality of the work plan, budget, team, and partners
  • Alignment with CCMS and program objectives

Processing and Agreement

  • EOI forms are reviewed by NRCan for both CMRDD and GPI fit
  • Only complete submissions are reviewed
  • Strong projects may be invited to submit a full project proposal
  • Successful projects proceed to a contribution agreement
  • Approved projects must meet terms, conditions, and reporting requirements

Additional information

  • Submission is by Expression of Interest only.
  • Selected projects may be invited to submit a full project proposal.
  • Projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.

Contacts

cmce-cemc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

Official sources

Global Partnerships Initiative

Program guide

Expression of interest: Contribution funding programs for critical minerals projectsinterest applicant guide
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Global Partnerships Initiative Program

What is the Global Partnerships Initiative?

This initiative supports pre-commercial critical minerals projects through non-repayable contributions and grants. It focuses on joint R&D, traceability, responsible resource development, and international collaboration.

How much funding can be received?

Global Partnerships Initiative Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Global Partnerships Initiative program?

To be eligible for the Global Partnerships Initiative program, you must: Pre-commercial critical minerals project TRL below 8 International collaboration for GPI

What expenses are eligible under Global Partnerships Initiative?

Salaries and benefits for project staff Professional, scientific, technical, and contracting services Training, workshops, travel, and facility costs Equipment, materials, supplies, testing, and commissioning Data collection, printing, translation, permits, and overhead

Who can I contact for more information about the Global Partnerships Initiative?

You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at cmce-cemc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Where is the Global Partnerships Initiative available?

The Global Partnerships Initiative program is available across Canada.