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Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance
Support for innovative SME technology growth
Last Update: June 16, 2026
Funding available
Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) provides financial support and technical and business advisory services for incorporated, for-profit SMEs in Canada. It supports development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes, including feasibility studies, R&D, and adaptation of existing technologies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 1-500 employees
Audience
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Feasibility studies
- Small to large scale R&D using employees, students, contractors for product and development or productivity improvement
- Adaptation of existing technologies
- R&D to advance unproven technologies
- Perform test model or pilot plant stage
Documents Needed
- Business plan or pitch deck
- Recent company financial statements
- Details on business ownership structure
- CRA business number
- Résumés or profiles for management and technical team members
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Be a small or medium-sized enterprise in Canada, incorporated and profit-oriented
Who is not eligible
- Unlimited liability corporations (ULCs)
- Limited liability corporations (LLCs)
- Sole proprietorships and partnerships
- Cooperatives
Eligible expenses
- Portion of salary and contractor costs associated with the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Day-to-day operating costs
- Non-technical or purely commercial activities
- Work carried out outside Canada
- Research with limited potential for commercialization
Eligible geographic areas
- In Canada
Selection criteria
- The project's technical aspects and potential impacts on your business
- Your business, management, and financial capacity
- Your assessed potential to achieve expected results
- Your commercialization plan
- The overall market and commercialization opportunity
How to apply
- If you meet the minimum requirements, a senior executive from your business can call 1-877-994-4727.
- Our bilingual contact centre will gather details and determine if you are ready to meet with a client engagement advisor (CEA).
- Following your CEA review, you may meet with a client engagement advisor and, if appropriate, be referred to an industrial technology advisor (ITA).
- After the ITA assessment, you may be invited to develop a project proposal for financial support through NRC IRAP.
Processing and Agreement
- Our bilingual contact centre will gather details and determine if you are ready to meet with a client engagement advisor (CEA).
- If we determine that NRC IRAP support could benefit your development and growth strategies, we will refer you to an industrial technology advisor (ITA).
- Following your ITA's assessment of your business and proposed project, they may invite you to develop a project proposal for financial support through NRC IRAP.
- We will assess your proposal within three months.
- If successful, you'll receive the financial contribution to share the costs of your R&D project activities, and you will need to submit monthly reimbursement claims to NRC IRAP.
Additional information
- Working with an NRC IRAP advisor or being invited to submit a proposal does not guarantee funding.
- Projects are typically carried out within NRC IRAP’s fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31.
- Approved firms must submit monthly reimbursement claims during the project.
- NRC IRAP can be combined with other programs such as SR&ED, with coordination of government assistance.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Advisory ServicesExpert business and technical advice
- Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Employment Program (YEP)Money to hire a student
- NRC IRAP Support for Intellectual PropertyIP Advisory services for your innovations
Frequently Asked Questions about the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance Program
What is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance?
The National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) provides financial support and technical and business advisory services for incorporated, for-profit SMEs in Canada. It supports development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes, including feasibility studies, R&D, and adaptation of existing technologies.
How much funding can be received?
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance program?
To be eligible for the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance program, you must:
Be a small or medium-sized enterprise in Canada, incorporated and profit-oriented
Have 500 or less full-time equivalent employees
Have the objective to grow and generate profits through development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada.
What expenses are eligible under Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance?
Feasibility studies
Small to large scale R&D using employees, students, contractors for product and development or productivity improvement
Adaptation of existing technologies
R&D to advance unproven technologies
Perform test model or pilot plant stage
Who can I contact for more information about the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at info@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at 1-877-994-4727.
Where is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance available?
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance program is available across Canada.
Is the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance is a Grant and Funding