International Technology Pilot and Demonstration Program — Cleantech (Global Markets)

• Expression of Interest (EOI) form
• Full Project Proposal form
• Letter of Intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Signed NRC Research Security Requirements Attestation form
• Canadian SME cash-flow projection

• Be an incorporated, profit-oriented Canadian SME (500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) in operation for at least 12 months before the Canadian registration deadline, with at least 5 full-time equivalent employees on Canadian payroll (T4).
• Develop and commercialize innovative, technology-driven products/services/processes in Canada, with a differentiated and protectable clean technology that has commercial potential in global markets.
• Have the financial and operational capacity to carry out an international pilot/demonstration while maintaining regular operations, with a clear commitment and strategy to expand internationally (market entry, production, supply chain and post-sale support).
• Propose a collaborative pilot or demonstration project with at least one foreign partner (end-user or key conduit to end-users), with a plan for intellectual property (IP) and commercialization.
• Submit a project that pilots/demonstrates/validates/adapts an innovative clean technology with quantifiable objectives, a civilian purpose, and outcomes that can be realized within 1–2 years after project completion.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian incorporated, profit-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven products, services, or processes
• Cleantech companies in clean energy (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, hydrogen and fuel cells, energy storage, energy efficiency, clean fuels, smart grid, combined heat and power)
• Carbon management companies (carbon capture, utilization and storage)
• Environmental technology companies (water, wastewater, soil, solid waste, air pollution)
• Circular economy companies (reuse or recycling of materials or resources)

Who is not eligible

• Non-incorporated businesses (e.g., sole proprietorships) and other organizations that are not incorporated Canadian companies.
• Not-for-profit organizations and any company that is not profit-oriented.
• Large enterprises (more than 500 full-time equivalent employees).
• Companies proposing projects with a military or non-civilian purpose.
• Companies or project partners/participants that are affiliated with an entity on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Named Research Organization (NRO) list.

Eligible expenses

• Employee salary costs directly related to the project.
• Contractor fees (e.g., external consultants/subcontractors) for project work.
• International travel costs for employees (project-related travel).

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Any project costs that are reimbursed by another party (cannot be claimed to NRC IRAP).
• Costs related to military (non-civilian) applications or purposes.
• Activities that overlap with existing sales, procurement, or contracting arrangements with the foreign partner (must be separate from the project).
• Fee-for-service providers (consultants, subcontractors, contractors, suppliers) treated as “project partners” (they are not eligible as partners under this call).

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada (eligible applicant must be an incorporated Canadian SME).

• Commercial potential of the project and ability to achieve results within 1 to 2 years following the end of the project.
• Clearly quantified performance objectives.
• Added value and demonstrated benefits of collaboration between the participants.
• Outcomes and benefits for Canada proportional to the funding requested.
• Compliance with NRC research security requirements (no affiliation with named research organizations).

• Step 1: Confirm NRC IRAP client status
  • Ensure your company is a registered NRC IRAP client.
  • If not already a client, contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727 to determine eligibility for support through NRC IRAP.
• Step 2: Registration (online)
  • Register your interest using the “Register” button for this call for proposals.
  • Provide the basic information about the applicant and the organization required at registration.
  • Monitor for follow-up from NRC IRAP in case additional information is requested.
• Step 3: Expression of Interest (EOI) submission
  • Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form describing basic information about the applicant and the collaborative project.
  • If you have an NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA), contact them during this phase to discuss the project idea and get guidance on preparing the submission.
  • Submit the EOI as early as possible to avoid delays (EOIs are evaluated as they are received).
• Step 4: Full project proposal (invitation-only) — prepare and submit package
  • Once invited by NRC IRAP, complete the Full Project Proposal form (Canadian SME details, technology and markets, and the international partner and pilot/demonstration opportunity).
  • Obtain and include a Letter of Intent (LoI) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as proof of partnership, covering objectives, roles and responsibilities, evidence of foreign partner engagement, a plan addressing IP rights and intent to commercialize, and the Canadian SME’s intention to apply to NRC IRAP for funding.
  • Complete and include the signed NRC Research Security Requirements Attestation form.
  • Prepare and include a cash-flow projection demonstrating sufficient financial runway for the duration of the project.
• Step 5: NRC IRAP review and funding proposal / agreement
  • Await NRC IRAP evaluation of the full project proposal.
  • If selected, work with your NRC IRAP ITA to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal.
  • If approved, execute an NRC IRAP contribution agreement.
• Step 6: Support and submission channel (as needed)
  • For program information, contact the NRC IRAP International Office at IRAP.International.PARI@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or the Program Lead, Qing Yu, at Qing.Yu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

• NRC IRAP reviews registrations and may contact the applicant if more information is required.
• Expressions of interest are evaluated as they are received; qualifying applicants are invited to submit a full project proposal.
• Full project proposals are evaluated by NRC IRAP; selected applicants are notified and proceed to the next steps.
• Selected Canadian SMEs work with their NRC IRAP Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) to prepare an NRC IRAP funding proposal.
• If the funding proposal is approved, NRC IRAP executes a contribution agreement with the Canadian SME.

• Projects supported by NRC IRAP must be for civilian (non-military) purposes.
• NRC IRAP applies research security screening and will not directly fund projects where there is a current affiliation with an organization on the Named Research Organization (NRO) list.
• Organizations engaged under fee-for-service, consulting, subcontracting, sales, or similar contractual arrangements are not considered project partners.
• Any existing contractual sales and/or procurement agreements must remain separate from the proposed project, which must be distinct and not overlap with ongoing sales or procurement arrangements.