Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge
Collaborative funding for sustainable manufacturing projects
Get notified when NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: September 16, 2026Latest change: The project screening expression-of-interest document now gives clearer application instructions, including partner contacts, partner-level financial information, eligibility confirmation, and a signed application agreement.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 16, 2026
Latest change: The project screening expression-of-interest document now gives clearer application instructions, including partner contacts, partner-level financial information, eligibility confirmation, and a signed application agreement.
Project Screening Process Updated
The Project Screening (Expression of Interest) process document now lays out the application steps more clearly and adds detail to the screening requirements. Applicants must provide project-member contacts, partner-level financial information, confirm the program eligibility rules, and upload a signed application agreement from all partners. The document title also now explicitly identifies it as the process and requirements for project screening, which better matches the screening-first application flow.
Funding available
$ 5,250,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Canadian for-profit businesses in advanced manufacturing or cleantech.
See full eligibility
Overview
NGen’s Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge supports collaborative projects that advance Canada’s path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. It targets emissions reduction and the environmental sustainability of Canadian manufacturing through Canadian cleantech and other advanced technologies.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,250,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2025
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Collaborative sustainable manufacturing projects that improve environmental performance in Canada.
- Projects focused on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and resource consumption.
- Projects that support net-zero facilities, carbon capture and storage, or supply-chain emissions tracking.
- Projects using smart manufacturing, circular manufacturing, and recycled or sustainable materials.
- Projects developing or scaling low-carbon manufacturing processes and other advanced cleantech solutions.
Documents Needed
- Application Agreement
- Project Plan (DOC, XLS, MSP, PDF)
- Risk Register (DOC, XLS)
- IP Tables
- Financial Workbooks - one per partner
Official resources
Program guide
Supporting document
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian for-profit businesses in advanced manufacturing or cleantech.
- Indigenous organizations.
- Private-sector-funded R&D not-for-profits.
- Non-federal Crown corporations with commercial activities.
Who is not eligible
- Other not-for-profit organizations.
- Post-secondary institutions.
- Federal Crown corporations.
- Government departments and agencies.
- International organizations without a registered business presence in Canada.
Eligible expenses
- Canada-based salaries and wages for staff working directly on the project.
- Subcontracting and consultancy work performed in Canada.
- New equipment purchase, rental, operation, and maintenance.
- Materials and supplies consumed by the project.
- Software licences, facility rentals, project travel, publication costs, Indigenous honoraria, IP protection, cybersecurity costs, and certain payments to federal entities.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Retroactive costs, in-kind contributions, refundable taxes, customs duties, fines, and penalties.
- Routine administration, overhead, marketing, advertising, selling, and board salaries.
- Buildings, land, infrastructure, facility modifications, and non-movable installations.
- Travel to conferences, full-scale production, single-firm projects, and activities without a clear commercial application.
- Costs already covered by other government funding or charged above cost by related parties.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Responses to 10 assessment questions, scored out of 100 marks in total for projects up to CAD 10 million.
- Transformative impact and competitive advantage for Canadian industry.
- Meaningful collaboration, including at least two Canadian industry partners.
- Applied approach with a short- to medium-term path to commercialization and commercial benefit.
- Enduring value for Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
How to apply
- Become an NGen member; to apply for funding, applicants must register as an Organization and not as an Individual.
- Log in to the NGen system.
- Start an application on NGen’s Salesforce application portal by clicking Project, New Project, and completing the required information under Create New Project.
- Complete all required sections for Screening.
- Click Save and Submit for Screening.
- Projects that have been successfully screened must submit the final application before September 18, 2024, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first screened for scope and financial due diligence.
- Eligible proposals are reviewed by independent experts, with up to 100 marks for projects up to CAD 10 million.
- Projects over CAD 10 million go through a dual-stage assessment and may include an interview.
- NGen notifies applicants by email if the project is accepted or rejected.
- Approved projects move to contracting before launch.
Additional information
- All projects must be completed by January 31, 2028.
- Projects over CAD 10 million follow a dual-stage assessment and may include interviews.
- Guides, templates, and support materials are available online in English and French.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge Program
What is the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge?
NGen’s Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge supports collaborative projects that advance Canada’s path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. It targets emissions reduction and the environmental sustainability of Canadian manufacturing through Canadian cleantech and other advanced technologies.
How much funding can be received?
NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,250,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge program?
To be eligible for the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge program, you must:
NGen member
Canadian-registered entity
Collaborative sustainable manufacturing project
What expenses are eligible under NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge?
Collaborative sustainable manufacturing projects that improve environmental performance in Canada.
Projects focused on lowering greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and resource consumption.
Projects that support net-zero facilities, carbon capture and storage, or supply-chain emissions tracking.
Projects using smart manufacturing, circular manufacturing, and recycled or sustainable materials.
Projects developing or scaling low-carbon manufacturing processes and other advanced cleantech solutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge?
You can contact Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) by email at smc@ngen.ca or by phone at 613-297-3578.
Where is the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge available?
The NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge program is available across Canada.
Is the NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge a grant, loan, or tax credit?
NGen — Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge is a Grant and Funding