Open
Impact Canada Challenge Hub
Financing to solve economic, environmental, and social problems
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Get a grant or contribution to cover some or all of the costs related to developing an innovative solution for a specific government challenge.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- General public
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- 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.
Official resources
Eligibility
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
Selection criteria
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
- Step 1: Identify the Problem
- Select a key policy priority or issue to address through the Outcomes-Based Financing initiative.
- Conduct discovery research and engage relevant stakeholders to define the challenge focus.
- Step 2: Design the Initiative
- Determine the structure and type of initiative (e.g., Challenge Prize, Pay for Success).
- Set timelines, stages, eligibility, and assessment criteria.
- Establish incentives for participants.
- Step 3: Validate Initiative Design
- Engage with stakeholders to finalize the design elements through iterative testing.
- Step 4: Launch and Apply
- Initiatives are publicly launched with a dedicated communications and engagement plan.
- Access the application guide and forms provided via the initiative’s website.
- Complete and submit the application form as per published instructions.
- Support is available for applicants during this stage.
- Step 5: Jury Selection and Evaluation
- Applications are evaluated by a jury to select semi-finalists, finalists, and winners as applicable.
- Step 6: Impact Measurement and Scaling
- Successful applicants’ initiatives are measured for impact on societal, economic, or environmental outcomes.
- Support is provided for winners and finalists to scale solutions beyond research and development.
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Impact Canada Challenge Hub Program
What is the Impact Canada Challenge Hub?
Get a grant or contribution to cover some or all of the costs related to developing an innovative solution for a specific government challenge.
Who is eligible for the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program?
To be eligible for the Impact Canada Challenge Hub program, you must:
Open to small and medium-sized enterprises
Innovators able to deliver measurable solutions to defined challenges
Applicants must address problems aligned with Government priorities
What expenses are eligible under Impact Canada Challenge Hub?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Impact Canada Challenge Hub?
You can contact Impact Canada by email at iiu-uii@pco-bcp.gc.ca.
Where is the Impact Canada Challenge Hub available?
The Impact Canada Challenge Hub program is available across Canada.
Is the Impact Canada Challenge Hub a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Impact Canada Challenge Hub is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Impact Canada Challenge Hub?
Impact Canada Challenge Hub is funded by Impact Canada