How much funding can be received?

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.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The Innovative Solutions Canada Program provides structured funding support to assist with the development and commercialization of innovative solutions. Funding is provided through distinct phases, with details outlined for each phase.

Phase 1 offers funding of up to $150,000 over six months to develop a proof of feasibility report, potentially increasing to $300,000 under certain conditions.
Phase 2 provides up to $1M in funding for the development and testing of prototypes over a maximum period of two years, with the possibility of reaching $2M in specific cases.
Funding is structured in phases to support both the feasibility assessment and prototype development stages.
Ownership of intellectual property created remains with the innovator, providing potential for commercialization post-funding.
Opportunities to apply for additional commercialization pathways upon project completion if the innovation is market-ready.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Innovative Solutions Canada Program's Challenge Stream is designed to fund Canadian SMEs in developing innovative solutions that solve specific governmental challenges. Eligible projects include creating feasibility reports and prototype development to validate and enhance innovative ideas.

Development of proof of feasibility reports for scientific, technical, and commercial solutions.
Creation and testing of prototypes for new innovations that meet governmental organizational needs.
Commercialization of market-ready solutions with potential government procurement through the Pathway to Commercialization program.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 150,000

Development of a solar-powered water purification system

$ 120,000

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

$ 180,000

Developing a green building material from recycled plastics

$ 250,000

Creating a blockchain-based voting system to enhance electoral transparency

$ 160,000

Creating a mobile health diagnostics platform for remote communities

$ 200,000

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

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's business operations, employee distribution, and executive residency.

The business must operate as a for-profit entity.
The business must be incorporated in Canada, either federally or provincially.
The business must have 499 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
The business must conduct research and development activities within Canada.
At least 50% of the business's annual wages, salaries, and fees must be allocated to employees and contractors who spend the majority of their time working in Canada.
50% or more of the business's FTE employees must have Canada as their ordinary place of work.
50% or more of the business's senior executives (vice-president and above) must have Canada as their principal residence.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This stream is tailored for Canadian small and medium businesses that are both innovative and active within Canada. It seeks to support the development of early-stage and late-stage innovations aimed at addressing challenges facing government organizations.

For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Businesses incorporated either federally or provincially in Canada.
Entities conducting research and development activities entirely in Canada.
Companies where at least 50% of annual wages, salaries, and fees are paid to employees and contractors who primarily work in Canada.
Organizations with 50% or more of their full-time equivalent employees working mainly in Canada.
Businesses where at least 50% of senior executives (vice-president and above) have Canada as their principal residence.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are certain eligibility criteria that companies must meet to be eligible for this grant, and companies that do not meet these criteria are not eligible.

Non-profit organizations
Companies not incorporated in Canada
Companies with more than 499 full-time equivalent employees
Companies whose research and development activities do not take place in Canada
Companies with less than 50% of their annual wages, salaries, and fees paid to employees and contractors working mostly in Canada
Companies with less than 50% of their FTE employees having Canada as their ordinary place of work
Companies with less than 50% of their senior executives (Vice President and above) having Canada as their principal residence

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant provides funding opportunities for Canadian small and medium businesses to develop and test innovative solutions that address challenges faced by government organizations. Eligible projects range from proving the feasibility of a concept to developing and testing a market-ready prototype.

Proof of feasibility reports to demonstrate the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of an innovation.
Prototype development and testing to transform early-stage innovations into market-ready solutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is designed for Canadian small and medium businesses that are incorporated either federally or provincially. Eligible applicants must conduct their research and development activities within Canada to qualify.

Businesses incorporated federally in Canada.
Businesses incorporated provincially in Canada.

grant_single_labels|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

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Self-Assessment
- Evaluate your project against the Technology Readiness Scale (TRL) to determine eligibility for Phase 1 or Phase 2.
Step 2: Eligibility Verification
- Ensure your business meets all eligibility criteria outlined in the program.
Step 3: Review Fund Opportunities
- Check current funding opportunities and relevant details like funding amounts and timelines.
Step 4: Proposal Development
- Develop a detailed proposal for your innovation, including objectives, feasibility, and potential impact.
Step 5: Application Submission
- Compile and submit your application, ensuring all required documents and forms are complete.
Step 6: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive confirmation of your application submission from the granting body.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant process includes a self-assessment using the Technology Readiness Scale (TRL) to determine eligibility for different phases.
Applicants retain ownership of intellectual property developed during the project.
There may be an opportunity for commercialization through a Pathway to Commercialization program, which can include selling to federal organizations.
Funding amounts and timelines can vary, with specifics provided for each funding opportunity.
The program occasionally limits applications to only either Phase 1 or Phase 2.

Apply to this program

Empower Your Innovation with Canadian Grant Opportunities

This grant program is tailored for Canadian small and medium enterprises seeking to develop innovative solutions that address governmental challenges. With phases encouraging both feasibility studies and prototype development, it provides financial backing to propel your new ideas to the marketplace.

In-Depth Insight into This Canadian Innovation Grant

The opportunity under this grant offers a pivotal route for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Canada to bring their cutting-edge innovations to fruition. Specifically tailored to tackle challenges faced by government organizations, these grants are structured into two significant phases that guide enterprises from conceptualization to market-readiness. The primary intent is to stimulate innovation within Canada's economic ecosystem, encouraging SMEs to architect solutions that encapsulate both technological advancements and commercial ingenuity.

Phase 1 serves as the cornerstone where applicants are funded up to $150,000, with potential for up to $300,000 based on specific criteria, to substantiate the feasibility of their innovative idea. This initial phase is permissible within a six-month window, offering a rigorous platform where the scientific, technical, and commercial viability of projects must be demonstrated. It acts as an incubator, nurturing exploratory ideas into plausibly operational prototypes.

Transitioning to Phase 2, the grant extends up to $1M, possibly reaching $2M, for selected projects fine-tuning into actionable prototypes over a span of two years. This intensive development phase not only tests the prototype but also fosters significant advancements that ensure projects align with prescribed governmental challenges. Such initiatives are pivotal as they contribute to national innovation while aligning with stringent readiness and validation metrics defined by the Canadian government.

Beyond the prototype phases, a successful endeavor could advance into commercialization pathways—an instrumental program fostering long-term growth prospects. Here, innovations can be presented to various federal entities over a three-year listing period, setting a cornerstone for further commercial procurement opportunities. However, businesses must recertify eligibility and market readiness, confirming their ability to meet evolving governmental requirements.

This grant is not merely about funding but establishing a symbiotic relationship between innovators and government bodies. It emphasizes the retention of intellectual property rights by the innovators, ensuring that creative control and revenue potential remains with the SMEs post-development. Thus, this initiative collectively supports the R&D landscape in Canada, encouraging a robust transfer of innovative solutions to market-ready products.

Ultimately, this grant fosters a dynamic framework where Canadian SMEs can thrive through structured support and definitive pathways to commercialization, significantly leveraging both economic and innovative impacts across governmental and commercial spheres. By strategizing around these phases, eligible businesses stand to benefit greatly, breaking new ground in technology and service delivery that aligns with and supports enhanced public services.