Open
NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology
Funding for Canadian SMEs advancing innovative clean technology commercialization
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The NRC IRAP – Support for Clean Technology program provides Canadian SMEs with contributions to accelerate the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean technologies. Eligible activities include research and development, prototype demonstration, market validation, and projects delivering measurable environmental benefits such as GHG reduction or improvements to soil, air, and water quality.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean technologies.
- Projects that deliver measurable environmental benefits such as greenhouse gas reduction, clean soil, clean air, or clean water.
- Diversification and scaling of clean tech solutions through pilot projects and market demonstrations.
- Collaboration on joint research and development initiatives with international partners in the clean technology sector.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Canada
- Companies developing, demonstrating, and commercializing clean technologies
Who is not eligible
- Non-profit organizations.
- Businesses that are not incorporated or whose legal status is not recognized in Canada.
- Projects involving only minor modifications of existing technologies.
- Businesses seeking to finance the purchase of foreign technologies for simple use in Canada, without their own development.
- Pure research initiatives without a goal of demonstration or commercialization.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and wages of technical staff directly involved in the project.
- Fees for qualified subcontractors and contractors.
- Limited travel expenses directly related to project execution (e.g., airfare, local transportation, accommodation for approved missions).
- Salaries for eligible youth hires (within youth employment grants).
- Costs related to design, construction, and operation of pilot plants, or demonstration of the technology in real-world conditions (where applicable).
- Approved external service provider fees for intellectual property strategy development, patent/trademark searches, and legal preparation related to IP protection and implementation.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies incorporated and operating anywhere in Canada.
Additional information
- The program emphasizes the importance of measurable and quantifiable environmental impacts for supported technologies.
- Public communications about NRC IRAP support require prior approval and specific recognition guidelines must be followed.
- Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs) provide ongoing technical and business advisory services alongside financial support.
- The program is transitioning, integrating elements from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), with future plans to consolidate under the Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC) by 2026-2027.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology?
The NRC IRAP – Support for Clean Technology program provides Canadian SMEs with contributions to accelerate the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean technologies. Eligible activities include research and development, prototype demonstration, market validation, and projects delivering measurable environmental benefits such as GHG reduction or improvements to soil, air, and water quality.
Who is eligible for the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology program?
To be eligible for the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology program, you must:
For-profit business incorporated in Canada
No more than 500 full-time employees
Has both technical and business staff beyond founders
What expenses are eligible under NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology?
Development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean technologies.
Projects that deliver measurable environmental benefits such as greenhouse gas reduction, clean soil, clean air, or clean water.
Diversification and scaling of clean tech solutions through pilot projects and market demonstrations.
Collaboration on joint research and development initiatives with international partners in the clean technology sector.
Who can I contact for more information about the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology?
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 NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology available?
The NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology program is available across Canada.
Is the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology a grant, loan, or tax credit?
NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology?
NRC IRAP – Support for clean technology is funded by National Research Council Canada (NRC)