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Source verified June 24, 2026
PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)
Support for innovation ecosystems in the Prairies
Latest source updateLast Update: June 24, 2026Latest change: The Regional Innovation Ecosystems overview page was simplified and now emphasizes a shorter program summary, contact information, and a related-program link, while the detailed eligibility, funding, costs, and application sections are no longer shown on that page.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 24, 2026
Latest change: The Regional Innovation Ecosystems overview page was simplified and now emphasizes a shorter program summary, contact information, and a related-program link, while the detailed eligibility, funding, costs, and application sections are no longer shown on that page.
RIE program page substantially revised
The Regional Innovation Ecosystems overview page now shows a much shorter program summary focused on investing, connecting, and pathfinding support, plus prominent contact details and a related-program link. The detailed sections that previously described eligibility, activities, funding, eligible and ineligible costs, and the application process are no longer visible on that page, so downstream grant details for who can apply, project scope, and funding conditions may need to be refreshed from the applicant guide and related materials. The applicant guide and expression of interest help guide also show only minor formatting or line-wrap churn, with no visible substantive change to the application instructions or required documents.
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
A financial contribution is available to support regional innovation ecosystems in the Prairie provinces. The program funds projects that help businesses innovate, scale up, commercialize technology, improve productivity, and support incubation.
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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
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Children & youth
- Indigenous peoples
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
- Provincial
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Technology commercialization and late-stage product development
- Business scale-up, market development, export, and investment attraction
- Productivity improvement through technology transfer and adoption
- Ecosystem capacity building and strategic alliance development
- Business acceleration and incubation support
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Financial statements for the past two years
- Interim financial statements, if needed
- Detailed budget
- Proof of other funding sources, where available
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Post-secondary educational institutions
- Business accelerators and incubators
- Indigenous organizations
- Social enterprises
- Municipalities and other levels of government
Who is not eligible
- For-profit organizations, unless the project is structured as an eligible partnership
- Organizations that are not legal entities
Eligible expenses
- Labour costs, including wages and benefits
- Capital costs such as equipment and machinery
- Project-related operating costs, management fees, and working capital
- Consulting, technical, and professional service fees
- Specialized services, subcontracting, intellectual property, and promotional materials
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Refinancing existing debt
- Buying assets above fair market value
- Amortization costs
- Land acquisition and goodwill
- Costs incurred before the project funding start date
Eligible geographic areas
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program objectives
- Strong market or industry demand
- Measurable economic benefits for the Prairie provinces
- Effective governance and management team
- Strong project rationale
How to apply
- Step 1: Review the EOI help guide and applicant guide
- Read the program guidance before starting your application.
- Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest
- Complete the online EOI form with project details.
- Submit the EOI through the program process at any time.
- Step 3: Wait for invitation to apply
- Selected organizations are invited to submit a full application within 30 days of EOI submission.
- Step 4: Complete the full application online
- Provide additional project information through the online portal if invited.
- Attach required financial and funding confirmation documents.
- Step 5: Receive a funding decision
- PrairiesCan aims to issue a decision within 90 business days of receiving a complete proposal.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a due diligence process.
- Projects are assessed against program objectives, market demand, economic benefits, governance, rationale, and financial capacity.
- Only projects with the highest merit and fit with RIE objectives are considered for funding.
- Selected applicants are invited to submit a full application after the EOI stage.
- Successful applicants sign a standard Contribution Agreement before funding is provided.
Additional information
- PrairiesCan provides an orientation to the reimbursement process for successful applicants.
- Successful applicants sign a standard Contribution Agreement.
- Applicants can be connected with other key players and funding sources.
- PrairiesCan encourages support for under-represented groups in the innovation ecosystem.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) Program
What is the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)?
A financial contribution is available to support regional innovation ecosystems in the Prairie provinces. The program funds projects that help businesses innovate, scale up, commercialize technology, improve productivity, and support incubation.
How much funding can be received?
PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program?
To be eligible for the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program, you must:
Not-for-profit organization
Supports businesses or innovators
Legal entity able to sign agreements
What expenses are eligible under PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)?
Technology commercialization and late-stage product development
Business scale-up, market development, export, and investment attraction
Productivity improvement through technology transfer and adoption
Ecosystem capacity building and strategic alliance development
Business acceleration and incubation support
Who can I contact for more information about the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)?
You can contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) or by phone at 1-888-338-9378.
Where is the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) available?
The PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) is a Grant and Funding