Closed
Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
Funding for large-scale industrial decarbonization and clean technology projects
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : November 4, 2025
Location
Canada
Overview
The Net Zero Accelerator Initiative provides up to $8 billion in funding to support large-scale projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate Canada's transition toward a net-zero economy by 2050. Eligible activities include decarbonizing large emitters, transforming industrial sectors, and developing clean technologies and battery ecosystems.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Closing date : November 4, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Decarbonization projects in large industrial sectors to achieve significant near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
- Initiatives that support the transformation of established industries towards net-zero operations and products.
- Development and commercialization of clean technologies, such as hydrogen or carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
- Projects aimed at building and strengthening a made-in-Canada battery ecosystem and related supply chains.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Companies in Canada's largest emitting industrial sectors (such as oil and gas, steel, aluminum, cement, mining and mineral processing, and chemicals)
- Established industries in key sectors such as automotive transportation, aerospace, and electricity (or electrification)
- Companies developing or operating within clean technology sectors, including hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), and battery ecosystem development
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of clean technologies and equipment aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Investment in systems and supply chains for electrification and battery production.
- Expenses related to the adoption or development of low-carbon industrial processes.
- Costs for research, design, and integration of new products or processes to reduce GHG emissions.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies operating anywhere in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Potential for meaningful, quantifiable, and direct reductions in domestic GHG emissions.
- Use of developed technologies that can deliver results by 2030.
- Ability to help move industrial sectors away from GHG-intensive activities and toward low-carbon processes or products.
- Demonstrated potential for medium- to long-term impact on GHG emissions, with a preference for sector-wide or market-wide benefits.
- Creation and maintenance of high-skill, long-term employment and promotion of Canadian competitiveness on a global scale.
How to apply
- Step 1: Initial Contact
- Contact the Strategic Innovation Fund to initiate an initial discussion regarding your project concept and eligibility for the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative.
- Step 2: Prepare Project Information
- Develop a description of your planned or potential reductions in GHG emissions.
- Detail the innovation and technological enhancements proposed in your project.
- Step 3: Application Submission
- Visit the Strategic Innovation Fund's "How to apply" portal to begin the application process.
- Complete and submit your application with all required project details.
- Step 4: Due Diligence Review
- If your proposal advances, participate in a due diligence review process.
- Provide evidence to validate your GHG reduction estimates and respond to any follow-up requests from the fund administrators.
- Step 5: Notification of Outcome
- Await notification regarding the outcome of your funding application following the review process.
Additional information
- The application process is ongoing and non-competitive, enabling applicants to submit proposals at any time.
- Successful projects must undergo a due diligence review, including validation of GHG reduction estimates, before final funding decisions are made.
- Applicants are expected to demonstrate planned or potential reductions in GHG emissions as well as outline innovation and technological advancements in their proposals.
- Collaboration with provincial and territorial initiatives may strengthen an application, as alignment with regional priorities is considered in funding decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative Program
What is the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative?
The Net Zero Accelerator Initiative provides up to $8 billion in funding to support large-scale projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate Canada's transition toward a net-zero economy by 2050. Eligible activities include decarbonizing large emitters, transforming industrial sectors, and developing clean technologies and battery ecosystems.
Who is eligible for the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative program, you must:
Canadian companies with projects that reduce GHG emissions
Projects aligned with decarbonization, industrial transformation, or clean technology
Ability to describe planned GHG reductions and innovation enhancements
What expenses are eligible under Net Zero Accelerator Initiative?
Decarbonization projects in large industrial sectors to achieve significant near-term greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Initiatives that support the transformation of established industries towards net-zero operations and products.
Development and commercialization of clean technologies, such as hydrogen or carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).
Projects aimed at building and strengthening a made-in-Canada battery ecosystem and related supply chains.
Who can I contact for more information about the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative?
You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
Where is the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative available?
The Net Zero Accelerator Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Net Zero Accelerator Initiative is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Net Zero Accelerator Initiative?
Net Zero Accelerator Initiative is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)