
Impact Canada Challenge Hub
Last Update: July 25, 2025
Canada
Financing to solve economic, environmental, and social problems
Impact Canada Challenge Hub at a glance
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- Impact Canada
- Government of Canada
Status
Open
Overview of the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program
Get a grant or contribution to cover some or all of the costs related to developing an innovative solution for a specific government challenge.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant employs a performance-based funding structure designed to incentivize participants to achieve measurable outcomes. Innovators are awarded based on the results achieved during the Challenge, with the structure reflecting various types of competitions.
- Outcome-based awards are granted to those who first or most effectively meet a defined challenge according to specific criteria.
- Financial incentives serve as prizes for achieving successful solutions in response to various challenges.
- Grand Challenges offer funding on a prospective basis, evaluating a broad range of potential innovations for effectiveness.
- Support is available through Accelerators, which provide time-limited business support to early-stage enterprises.
Eligible projects & activities
- Launching innovation competitions to develop solutions for key societal, economic, or environmental challenges.
- Supporting early-stage enterprises through competitive accelerators combined with outcomes-based funding.
- Creating initiatives that utilize performance-based funding models, including Challenge Prizes and Pay for Success approaches.
- Developing projects that promote Indigenous innovation inspired by Traditional Knowledge for community benefit.
- Fostering collaborations aimed at measurable impact in areas such as mental health, environmental sustainability, housing, and healthcare.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 160,000
Supporting women cleantech entrepreneurs to expand their businesses
$ 120,000
Developing a cost-effective opioid detection device for safe drug checking
$ 240,000
Creating a pipeline of green innovations through business incubators
$ 400,000
Implementing smart city solutions to improve urban living
$ 160,000
Partnering with Indigenous communities to implement sustainable energy solutions
$ 120,000
Running outcome-based funding awards for mental health services
Eligibility criteria of the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program
- The applicant must present an innovative solution addressing a specific challenge or problem identified as a priority.
- The project must demonstrate measurable outcomes or impact as defined by the challenge criteria.
- Applicants can include small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, and other organizations able to deliver real-world results.
- The initiative or solution must be relevant to Canadian societal, economic, or environmental needs.
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Start-ups and early-stage enterprises
- Innovators in sectors such as agriculture, agri-food, health, space, and clean energy
- Organizations proposing Indigenous innovation initiatives
Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:
- Foreign companies not registered in Canada
- Non-profit organizations without a Canadian presence
Eligibility criteria of the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Innovation and originality of the project proposal.
- Feasibility and clarity of the implementation plan.
- Alignment with the grant’s strategic goals.
- Potential impact on the targeted community or sector.
- Cost-effectiveness and efficient use of resources.
How to apply to the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program
1
Understand the Challenge
- Identify the specific problem the challenge will address.
- Select a relevant policy priority related to the challenge.
- Conduct discovery research to gather necessary information.
- Identify and engage with stakeholders related to the challenge.
2
Design Your Proposal
- Select the appropriate challenge type for your proposal.
- Draft a clear and concise challenge statement.
- Structure your challenge proposal effectively.
- Set a timeline for your solution, including various stages of development.
- Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Prepare to meet the assessment criteria.
3
Prepare Supporting Documents
- Compile evidence to support your solution approach and methodology.
- Gather any required supplementary documentation such as budgets or partnerships.
4
Submit Your Application
- Prepare the application form based on the guidelines provided.
- Complete all sections of the application form accurately.
- Review your application to ensure compliance with all requirements.
- Submit the application ahead of any stipulated deadlines through the specified platform or email.
5
Engagement and Notification
- Participate in any subsequent engagement activities if required.
- Await notification regarding the shortlisting process or further stages.
- Respond to any follow-up request for additional information or clarification.
Additional information
- Outcomes-based financing shifts funding from upfront payments for activities to rewards for measurable outcomes.
- Challenges attract a significant number of first-time government funding applicants, broadening access to innovators.
- A five-phase approach is used to support and maximize the impact of initiatives.
- Initiatives raise public awareness and increase transparency in government decision-making.
Contact Impact Canada
iiu-uii@pco-bcp.gc.ca
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