Innovative Solutions Canada Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Innovative Solutions Canada Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Innovative Solutions Canada Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Innovative Solutions Canada Program?

Innovative Solutions Canada Program is funded by Innovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Government of Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the Innovative Solutions Canada Program program?

To be eligible for the Innovative Solutions Canada Program program, you must: • Operate as a for-profit entity. • Be incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially). • Have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Innovative Solutions Canada Program?

You can contact Innovation Canada.

Q: Where is the Innovative Solutions Canada Program available?

The Innovative Solutions Canada Program program is available across Canada.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Innovative Solutions Canada Program program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Innovative Solutions Canada Program program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding for Canadian SMEs to develop and test innovations

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Your small business could get funding to come up with an innovative solution to a government challenge, with access to early-stage development, testing and validation of a prototype, and a pathway to commercialization.

Financing terms and conditions

Phase 1: Funding of up to $150,000 for developing a proof of feasibility report within up to six months; in some cases, awards may reach up to $300,000 and the timeline may vary.
Phase 2: Funding of up to $1,000,000 over a maximum period of two years for the development and testing of the prototype; in some cases, awards may reach up to $2,000,000.

Activities funded

Development of a proof of feasibility report for innovative solutions addressing government challenges.
Building and testing prototypes of innovations to meet specific government-identified needs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 180,000

Developing a green building material from recycled plastics

$ 150,000

Development of a solar-powered water purification system

$ 250,000

Creating a blockchain-based voting system to enhance electoral transparency

$ 200,000

Introducing a waste-to-energy plant to convert municipal waste into clean energy

$ 160,000

Creating a mobile health diagnostics platform for remote communities

$ 120,000

Developing an AI-based traffic management system to improve urban mobility

Eligibility

The applicant must be a Canadian-incorporated, for-profit small or medium-sized business (federally or provincially incorporated).
The business must have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, including affiliates.
Research and development activities must be conducted within Canada.
At least 50% of annual wages, salaries, and fees must be allocated to employees and contractors primarily working in Canada.
At least 50% of full-time equivalent employees and senior executives (vice-president and above) must have Canada as their principal place of work or residence.

Who is eligible?

Canadian small businesses
Canadian medium businesses
For-profit corporations incorporated in Canada

Eligible expenses

Development of a proof of feasibility report.
Building and testing of prototype innovations.

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses incorporated in Canada (federally or provincially).

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The eligibility and evaluation criteria include:

Relevance to the challenge
Technical innovation
Financial viability
Potential for commercialization
Capability and resources to deliver

How to apply

Self-Assessment

Evaluate your project against the Technology Readiness Scale (TRL) to determine eligibility for Phase 1 or Phase 2.

Eligibility Verification

Ensure your business meets all eligibility criteria outlined in the program.

Review Fund Opportunities

Check current funding opportunities and relevant details like funding amounts and timelines.

Proposal Development

Develop a detailed proposal for your innovation, including objectives, feasibility, and potential impact.

Application Submission

Compile and submit your application, ensuring all required documents and forms are complete.

Confirmation of Submission

Receive confirmation of your application submission from the granting body.

Additional information

The innovator retains ownership of any intellectual property developed during the grant process.
Market-ready innovations may be eligible for the pathway to commercialization, making them available for federal procurement for a period of 3 years.
Applicants should monitor each challenge for unique timelines and funding details.
Affiliated businesses, including parent companies and subsidiaries both in and outside Canada, must be included in full-time employee calculations.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovative Solutions Canada Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Innovative Solutions Canada Program. 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.