Open
PrairiesCan — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI)
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Funding to recover Canada's aerospace sector in the Prairie region
Other Support
Grant and Funding
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
If your SME or non-profit is working on a project to become more environmentally friendly, improve productivity, strengthen commercialization or integrate with regional and global supply chains, you could get a contribution to help with some of the costs.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop an online presence
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Professional Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
- National
Activities funded
This grant focuses on aiding the recovery of the aerospace sector by enhancing its competitiveness on a global scale. It supports efforts in greening operations, boosting productivity, and strengthening market readiness.
- Transitioning towards greener products and operations, including the adoption and commercialization of clean tech products and services.
- Improving productivity through advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
- Commercializing innovative products and services.
- Integrating new start-ups and technologies into key aspects of the value chain.
- Promoting inclusion by addressing barriers for specific groups, such as women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and visible minorities.
- Developing the workforce to tackle labour and skill shortages through training, upskilling, or hiring activities.
- Providing technical assistance for adopting technologies and efficient management practices.
- Making strategic capital investments to support transformational projects and high-profile SMEs.
- Utilizing procurement tools like the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy to support SMEs and new technologies.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 800,000
Develop a workforce training program in advanced robotics for manufacturing industries
$ 1,500,000
Commercialize a novel AI-driven medical diagnosis tool with a focus on accessibility
$ 1,000,000
Develop and market a biodegradable packaging line for food products
$ 1,450,000
Adopt smart manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity of custom automotive parts
$ 1,800,000
Implement an advanced analytics platform for optimizing manufacturing processes
$ 1,200,000
Scale up the production capacity of sustainable fabrics for the fashion industry
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by the criteria related to the type of organization applying and the support they provide.
- The applicant must be a business operating in the aerospace industry or an organization that supports such businesses.
- The applicant can be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) or a not-for-profit organization providing services to SMEs, including municipalities, post-secondary institutions, provinces, and Indigenous organizations.
- Indigenous businesses and organizations are eligible to apply.
Who is eligible?
Businesses operating in the aerospace industry, as well as organizations supporting them, are eligible to apply. This includes Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), not-for-profit organizations providing services to SMEs, municipalities, post-secondary institutions, provinces, and Indigenous organizations. Indigenous applicants are specifically invited and may receive funding exceeding standard thresholds.Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity, as well as specific ineligible costs. However, details on ineligible applicants based on industry are not explicitly provided in the context.
- Basic and applied R&D activities (Technology readiness level 1-6 are not eligible activities).
- Entertainment-based companies seeking funding for non-commercial activities.
Eligible expenses
The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) aims to support activities that enhance environmental sustainability, productivity, and commercialization within the aerospace sector in Canada's Prairie provinces. These projects are designed to bolster the sector's global competitiveness and foster economic resilience.
- Transition towards greener products and operations, including the commercialization of clean tech products and electrification.
- Improvement of productivity through advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity integrations.
- Commercialization of innovative products and services in the aerospace industry.
- Integration of start-ups and new technologies into regional and global supply chains.
- Workforce development, including training and upskilling of employees to address labour shortages.
- Capital investments for transformative projects and emerging SMEs, bridging to the Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
- Adoption of digital tools and cybersecurity enhancements within the aerospace industry.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to companies located within specific geographical areas as determined by the regional development focus of the Prairie provinces in Canada. The eligibility is crafted to support regional economic objectives.
- Businesses and organizations operating in the Prairie provinces, Canada.
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are focused on meeting program objectives and demonstrating economic impact, among other criteria.
- Alignment with the objectives of the program.
- The eligibility of the applicant, project activities, and project costs.
- Clear, measurable economic benefits as a direct result of the project (e.g., revenues or number of jobs created relative to the funding request).
- Strength of the management of the applicant.
- Financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project.
- For corporate projects, the company’s financial strength and ability to repay based on historical financial reporting and logical projections.
- Leveraging from other funders.
- Strong market demand for the product or service.
- Technology readiness.
How to apply
1
Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure your organization operates in the aerospace industry or supports it as specified in the eligibility criteria.
- Verify compliance with other eligibility criteria such as organisation type and project scope.
2
Prepare Application Content
- Develop a clear project outline aligning with one or more initiative objectives: greening operations, improving productivity, and enhancing commercialization.
- Ensure the project demonstrates potential for economic benefits and addresses barriers for targeted groups.
- Gather documentation of confirmed funding sources other than the grant.
- Compile necessary financial and organizational information.
3
Complete Application Form
- Access the application form through the regional development agency handling your area.
- Fill out required details accurately.
- Attach all necessary documentation to ensure completeness.
4
Submit Application
- Review the application thoroughly for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit the completed application through the specified submission portal or mailing address, as directed by the regional development agency.
5
Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Receive confirmation of submission, typically an email or a reference number.
- Retain confirmation details for tracking your application status.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) works in conjunction with other funding programs like the Strategic Innovation Fund and the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
- Indigenous applicants may receive funding that exceeds standard thresholds, offering potentially higher financial support.
- Retroactive cost eligibility allows for costs incurred up to 12 months prior to the application submission, offering flexibility for project planning.
- The assistance available can include interest-free repayable loans for commercial projects, with a structured repayment plan beginning one year post-project completion.
Contacts
1-888-338-9378
