Closed
NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program
Support for Canadian advanced manufacturing clusters
Record updated
- Funding available
- $ 100,000
- Deadline
- Unspecified
- Location
- Canada
Overview
NGen’s Cluster Accelerator Program supports new and existing cluster organizations in Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, with funding of up to $100,000 per year. It is designed to strengthen collaboration and growth through start-up, innovation, commercialization, sustainability, workforce and management enhancement, and network projects.
At a glance
Funding available
- Maximum funding
- $100,000
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Attract or retain talent
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Increase operational productivity
- Conduct research and development activities
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
- Strengthen organizational capacity
- Access new markets
- Start a business
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible candidates
- Location
- Canada
- Eligible Industries
- All industries
- Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
- Organisation size
- All organization sizes
- Audience
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Legal structures
- Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
- Sector of operation
- Business Associations
- Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Scope
- National
Receipt of requests is now closed
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Availability timeline
2025
Periods: 1
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- New and existing cluster organizations
- Existing advanced manufacturing clusters taking on a new or expanded work-scope
- Newly activated or reactivated advanced manufacturing clusters with a majority of SME members
- Start-up cluster projects with an initial partnership of five or more Canadian SME manufacturers
Eligible expenses
- Gross wages, salaries, contracts, mandatory employment-related costs, and benefits for Project Activities
- Equipment, facilities, supplies, materials, user fees, room or facility rentals, telecommunication expenses, and capital expenditures linked to the project
- Travel costs, including meal and accommodation costs, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive
- Dissemination costs, incremental cybersecurity costs directly related to participation in Recipient-Funded Activities, payments to federal entities, honoraria to support Indigenous participation, and other direct costs such as market studies
- On an exceptional basis, Program Delivery costs incurred outside of Canada are eligible if necessary for the success of the project and could not otherwise be undertaken in Canada, with prior approval by NGen
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Public sector advocacy and lobbying
- Activities unrelated to advanced manufacturing or benefiting only one firm
- Retroactive costs incurred before contracting
- Construction, land or building purchases, and unrelated infrastructure or equipment
- Interest, late fees, fines, penalties, gifts, entertainment, alcohol, and unaccounted grants or scholarships
Activities funded
- Cluster start-up projects to support the development of new advanced manufacturing clusters
- Innovation projects to promote the development and/or adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies
- Commercialization projects to scope out strategic opportunities for supplier and business development, support commercialization and export readiness, and/or facilitate participation in international export or investment missions
- Sustainability projects to improve environmental management, reduce GHG emissions, and/or strengthen domestic supply chain resilience
- Workforce and management enhancement projects, and network projects among two or more clusters
How to apply
- Applicants must submit a proposal.
- Complete the Funding Intake and Screening Form online; use the French form link to submit in French.
Documents Needed
- Completed proposal answering the six required questions
- Risk register, project milestone schedule, and work breakdown structure
- Application Agreement
- IP Tables
- SME Declaration Form
Selection criteria
- Reviewed by three independent assessors; the aggregated score determines the decision
- Clarity of the project opportunity and objectives
- Expected economic and ecosystem benefits
- Sustainability of results after funding ends
- Strength of the workplan, risks, and financial commitment
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are reviewed by a panel of three independent assessors, and the aggregated score of the assessors is the basis of NGen’s funding decision.
- Successful applicants must conclude a Cluster Accelerator Agreement with NGen as a condition of funding.
- Applicants that are not successful will be notified of the reasons why and may resubmit an amended application at a future date.
- No external appeals will be entertained unless there is evidence that the processes described in the guidelines have not been followed; in that case, appeals are considered by the Governance and Compliance Committee of NGen’s Board of Directors in consultation with NGen’s legal counsel.
Additional information
- NGen membership is free for participating organizations.
- Successful applicants must sign a Cluster Accelerator Agreement with NGen.
- Unsuccessful applicants may resubmit an amended application later.
Official sources
Program guide
Cluster Accelerator Network (2025)Other relevant PDF
Annual Report
Frequently Asked Questions about the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program Program
What is the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program?
NGen’s Cluster Accelerator Program supports new and existing cluster organizations in Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, with funding of up to $100,000 per year. It is designed to strengthen collaboration and growth through start-up, innovation, commercialization, sustainability, workforce and management enhancement, and network projects.
How much funding can be received?
NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program program?
To be eligible for the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program program, you must:
Majority of small or medium sized manufacturing and/or technology companies with fewer than 500 employees
Incorporated in Canada
Industry support of at least 150% of the requested NGen funding
What expenses are eligible under NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program?
Gross wages, salaries, contracts, mandatory employment-related costs, and benefits for Project Activities
Equipment, facilities, supplies, materials, user fees, room or facility rentals, telecommunication expenses, and capital expenditures linked to the project
Travel costs, including meal and accommodation costs, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive
Dissemination costs, incremental cybersecurity costs directly related to participation in Recipient-Funded Activities, payments to federal entities, honoraria to support Indigenous participation, and other direct costs such as market studies
On an exceptional basis, Program Delivery costs incurred outside of Canada are eligible if necessary for the success of the project and could not otherwise be undertaken in Canada, with prior approval by NGen
Who can I contact for more information about the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program?
You can contact Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).
Where is the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program available?
The NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program program is available across Canada.
Is the NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
NGen — Cluster Accelerator Program is a Grant and Funding