How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the NGen — Feasibility Studies?

NGen — Feasibility Studies is funded by Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)

What are NGen — Feasibility Studies's eligibility criterias?

Recipient must be a Small or Medium Enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 employees globally Company must be incorporated in Canada For-profit organizations are eligible

NGen — Feasibility Studies

Last Update: August 11, 2025

ON, Canada

Supports collaborative advanced manufacturing innovation and technology feasibility projects

NGen — Feasibility Studies at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $100,000 to $500,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Receipt of requests is now closed

Financing Type

Partnering and Collaboration

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services

Grant Providers

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the NGen — Feasibility Studies program

The NGen Feasibility Studies program provides up to $100,000 in funding to support collaborative projects that help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Canada develop, test, and de-risk advanced manufacturing technologies or processes. Eligible activities include feasibility studies that involve meaningful partnerships and demonstrate transformative, applied, and enduring impacts within the Canadian advanced manufacturing sector.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
NGen contribution is capped at $100,000 per feasibility study.
Total project costs must be between $50,000 and $200,000.
Project partners are required to pay a one-time, non-refundable administration fee of 2.5% of the total project cost before project commencement.
Sub-contracting expenses eligible for reimbursement are capped at 70% of total project costs, for Canadian subcontractors only.

Eligible projects & activities

Feasibility assessments for advanced manufacturing technologies or processes to determine implementation potential.
Pilot projects that help scale up collaborative solutions in advanced manufacturing and de-risk technology adoption.
Collaborative initiatives between SMEs and partners to prepare new manufacturing technologies for production deployment.
Projects focused on building transformative capabilities within the Canadian advanced manufacturing sector.
Studies or pilots aimed at leaving a lasting impact in skills development, tools, testbeds, intellectual property, or business knowledge for Canada’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 95,000

Feasibility of smart quality inspection in electronics PCB factories

$ 95,000

Assessing feasibility of robotics automation for SME metal fabricators

$ 95,000

Feasibility of automated composite parts in electric vehicle supply

$ 95,000

Feasibility of sustainable bioplastics for packaging manufacturers

$ 95,000

Piloting digital twin technology for food processing optimization

$ 95,000

Developing advanced additive manufacturing skills for aerospace sector

Eligibility criteria of the NGen — Feasibility Studies program

The applicant must be a member of NGen (Canada's advanced manufacturing Supercluster).
The applicant organization must be a small or medium enterprise (SME) with fewer than 500 employees globally, or a not-for-profit that facilitates and funds R&D, with funding primarily from private-sector sources.
The applicant must be incorporated in Canada.
The project must demonstrate meaningful collaboration with at least one SME and one partner organization (which can be a company of any size, not-for-profit, academic or research institution).
The applicant must have the financial means and project management capabilities to carry out the project.

Who is eligible?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with less than 500 employees globally in the advanced manufacturing sector
Canadian manufacturing companies
Technology companies engaging in advanced manufacturing
For-profit and certain not-for-profit organizations in Canada focused on research and development in advanced manufacturing

Who is not eligible

Publicly funded not-for-profit organizations (except those that facilitate and fund R&D and are primarily funded by private-sector organizations).
Post-secondary institutions.
Federal Crown corporations and government departments or agencies.
International organizations without an incorporated presence in Canada.
For-profit or not-for-profit organizations not incorporated in Canada.

Eligible expenses

Personnel salaries and related labour costs directly associated with the project.
Minor capital expenditures relevant to the feasibility study (in exceptional circumstances only).
Subcontracting costs incurred with Canadian subcontractors (up to 70% of total project costs).
Equipment and materials necessary for the execution of the project.
Travel costs directly related to the project work.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies incorporated in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the NGen — Feasibility Studies program

Clarity and significance of the opportunity the project addresses.
Quality and robustness of the project and risk management plan.
Degree of transformation and innovation in advanced manufacturing.
Potential market impact and strategy for commercialization.
Economic benefits and broader impact on the advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

How to apply to the NGen — Feasibility Studies program

Join NGen as a member

Join NGen as an organizational member (individual memberships are not eligible)
Membership is free and required before accessing funding application portals

Access and select funding stream

Log in to the NGen application portal using organizational credentials
Select the Feasibility Studies funding stream under Supercluster projects

Project screening and agreement

Complete an Application Agreement template
Certify understanding and acceptance of NGen requirements and eligibility guidelines
Describe project purpose, collaboration, and lead partners
Confirm necessary financial and management capabilities
Provide a preliminary estimate of project costs

Financial due diligence review

NGen conducts a financial due diligence review for all project partners
Provide necessary financial information upon request
Demonstrate ability to support project commitments

Prepare and complete application

Prepare the detailed Feasibility Study application following the guide
Provide partner information, project description, and respond to ten assessment questions (max 400 words each)
Submit required appendices: Project Plan (Gantt), Risk Register, IP Strategy, Question Appendix (if needed), Financial Workbooks

Submit application for assessment

Submit the complete application through the NGen portal
Application is reviewed and scored by an independent expert assessment panel

Receive funding decision

Receive official notification of approval or rejection from NGen
Applicants not approved receive feedback and can reapply

Sign project agreements and pay fees

Sign the Master Project Agreement (MPA) with NGen
All project participants must have a Collaboration Agreement outlining partner roles and intellectual property arrangements
Pay the one-time, non-refundable project administration fee (2.5% of total project cost) before project start

Additional information

NGen requires the payment of a one-time, non-refundable project administration fee equal to 2.5% of the total project cost before the project start.
All project participants must demonstrate robust project management processes with well-defined milestones and deliverables.
Project partners must establish a Collaboration Agreement outlining roles, risk management, and intellectual property sharing arrangements.
NGen provides templates and guides (e.g., for financials, agreements, IP strategy) to support application preparation.