
Closed
Source verified July 23, 2026
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects
Funding for clean on-road transport innovation
Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
January 15, 2024
Location
Canada
Overview
This program supports R&D and demonstration projects that advance the decarbonization of on-road transportation in Canada. Funding is available up to $1.5 million for R&D projects and up to $5 million for demonstration projects.
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At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Social Services
- Environment
- Business Associations
- Not Elsewhere Classified
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Research and development for low- and zero-emission on-road vehicles.
- Demonstration of pre-commercial vehicle technologies and infrastructure.
- Infrastructure projects supporting zero-emission on-road vehicles.
- Projects improving transportation system energy efficiency.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian incorporated or registered legal entities.
- Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments.
- Indigenous communities and Indigenous-owned organizations.
- Canadian academic institutions and community groups.
Eligible expenses
- Employee salaries and benefits for project time.
- Professional, scientific, technical and contracting services.
- Travel, meals and accommodation.
- Equipment, materials, testing and commissioning.
- Lab and field supplies, data services, permits, and overhead up to 15%.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Land purchases.
- Vehicle purchases and retrofits.
- Hydrogen production and storage technologies.
- Grid-side infrastructure investment.
- Costs outside the eligible expenditure period, in-kind costs, and reimbursable taxes.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program focus areas and priorities.
- Technical merit and feasibility, as assessed by experts.
- Collaboration and leverage of non-government funding.
- Support for regional balance, IDEA, and socio-economic priorities.
How to apply
- Step 1
- Review the Applicant’s Guide and confirm eligibility.
- Prepare the expression of interest.
- Step 2
- Submit the EOI through the Applicant Portal.
- Wait for EOI review and results.
- Step 3
- If invited, prepare and submit the full project proposal.
- Provide all mandatory information requested by NRCan.
- Step 4
- Participate in due diligence if selected for funding.
- Sign the contribution agreement if approved.
Processing and Agreement
- EOI submissions are reviewed by a technical expert panel.
- Successful EOI applicants are invited to submit a full project proposal.
- FPP submissions are reviewed by a technical expert panel.
- Selected projects undergo due diligence on finances, technical risk, team strengths, and legal or regulatory matters.
- Approved applicants are invited to draft, sign, and execute a contribution agreement before funding is confirmed.
Additional information
- Applications were submitted in two phases: EOI and invited FPP.
- Funding is a non-repayable contribution from NRCan.
- Selected projects must sign a contribution agreement before funding is committed.
- Projects may be shared with other federal or trusted funding partners if permission is given.
Contacts
Other components of this program
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Frequently Asked Questions about the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects Program
What is the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects?
This program supports R&D and demonstration projects that advance the decarbonization of on-road transportation in Canada. Funding is available up to $1.5 million for R&D projects and up to $5 million for demonstration projects.
How much funding can be received?
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects program?
To be eligible for the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects program, you must:
Registered in Canada.
R&D or demonstration project.
Fits program focus areas.
What expenses are eligible under On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects?
Research and development for low- and zero-emission on-road vehicles.
Demonstration of pre-commercial vehicle technologies and infrastructure.
Infrastructure projects supporting zero-emission on-road vehicles.
Projects improving transportation system energy efficiency.
Who can I contact for more information about the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects?
You can contact Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) by email at eiptransport-pietransports@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca or by phone at 0.
Where is the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects available?
The On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects program is available across Canada.
Is the On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects a grant, loan, or tax credit?
On-road Transportation Decarbonization — R&D Projects is a Grant and Funding