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PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)

Support for innovation ecosystems across the Prairie provinces

Offered by
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
Official source: canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Who can apply
Not-for-profit organizations.
See full eligibility

Overview

PrairiesCan’s Regional Innovation Ecosystems program supports not-for-profit organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that help businesses innovate, grow and compete globally. It strengthens regional ecosystems through technology commercialization, business acceleration, productivity improvement, and support for under-represented groups.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Youth (<40)
  • Women
Legal structures
Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution, Social economy enterprise
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
Scope
Regional, Provincial, International

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

RIE program information updated

PrairiesCan updated the RIE program information with a pre-application financing expectation, a typical project duration range, and clarified eligible specialized-services wording.

See more

PrairiesCan now says applicants are expected to secure all non-PrairiesCan requested project financing, typically at least 50%, before applying. The program information also now states that projects typically run from a few months to 3 years and clarifies the eligible-cost wording for specialized services as innovation services. The page title was updated to Program information, but the substantive change is in the funding and project-detail guidance.

Official source: canada.ca
October 4, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Not-for-profit organizations.
  • Post-secondary educational institutions, business accelerators and incubators, and angel investor networks.
  • Indigenous organizations, including not-for-profit organizations administered by Indigenous people, and Indigenous-owned businesses.
  • Social enterprises.
  • A group of eligible organizations such as an industry association or consortium, municipalities, other municipal-type organizations, other levels of government, and state or provincial corporations or organizations, provided the assistance does not fund capital or operating costs.

Eligible expenses

  • Labour costs, including salaries and benefits
  • Capital costs, including machinery and equipment
  • Operating costs directly related to the project, such as management fees or working capital
  • Consulting fees, intellectual property costs, preproduction, subcontracting, and the production and distribution of promotional materials and management tools
  • Specialized services such as testing, research and development, technical or innovation services, sector development strategies in all markets, and business networking

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Refinancing existing debt, buying assets above fair market value, depreciation costs, land acquisition, and goodwill
  • Marketing plans and business plans
  • Hospitality and related costs
  • Single-source consulting market fees and awareness activities
  • Costs incurred before the project funding start date

Activities funded

  • Technology commercialization, including late-stage development, demonstration, and innovation platforms, assets, tools, and test beds
  • Business growth, including market development, export, and investment attraction
  • Productivity improvement through technology transfer, validation, training, implementation, and adoption of new technologies
  • Ecosystem capacity building through strategic alliances, research and analysis, and strategies to overcome sector barriers
  • Business acceleration and incubation, including advice, office space, expert mentoring, and specialized equipment

How to apply

  • Review the program guidance and the EOI help guide before starting.
  • Sign in to PrairiesCan’s online portal.
  • Complete the online Expression of Interest form.
  • Attach the required supporting documents, including constitutional documents, proof of signing authority, a business plan or presentation, financial statements, and confirmed funding documents.
  • Submit the Expression of Interest through the portal; if invited, complete the detailed application through the online portal.
Open application portal

Documents Needed

  • Completed Expression of Interest or application form
  • Constitutional documents and proof of signing authority
  • Business plan or presentation describing the organization and proposed project
  • Financial statements for the two most recent years, or interim financial statements for the past six months if needed
  • Detailed budget and proof of confirmed funding, such as bank statements, unused lines of credit, official letters of intent, signed financing agreements, or signed term sheets

Selection criteria

  • Alignment with program objectives and the relevant regional, ministerial, and government priorities
  • Strong market or industry demand
  • Clear and measurable economic benefits for the Prairies
  • Strong project viability, including commercial potential, management capacity, financial capacity, governance, and a sound project rationale
  • Compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, and permit requirements

Processing and Agreement

  • Only the strongest EOI submissions that best fit the program’s objectives, priority areas, and economic benefits are invited to submit a full application within 30 days.
  • Complete applications are usually assessed within 90 business days of receipt, provided they are complete and include satisfactory supporting documentation.
  • PrairiesCan may request additional details during the review, including a project plan, projected income statement and cash flow, detailed project cost breakdown, support letters, regulatory approvals and resolutions, board minutes, board member list, and other detailed information.
  • If approved, applicants are invited to sign a contribution agreement, which cannot be signed until all funding sources are confirmed.
  • Successful applicants must provide progress reports at least twice per year, annual financial statements where applicable, and a final report.

Additional information

  • The program is part of the national program Croissance économique régionale par l’innovation.

Contacts

1-888-338-9378

Official sources

Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) in the Prairie provinces

Program guide

Help guide for the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) expression of interest formRegional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) in the Prairie provinces - After you applyRegional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) in the Prairie provinces - Before you apply

Application portal

Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) in the Prairie provinces - Apply
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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)?

PrairiesCan’s Regional Innovation Ecosystems program supports not-for-profit organizations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that help businesses innovate, grow and compete globally. It strengthens regional ecosystems through technology commercialization, business acceleration, productivity improvement, and support for under-represented groups.

How much funding can be received?

PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

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, innovators, and entrepreneurs Legal entity able to enter binding agreements

What expenses are eligible under PrairiesCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE)?

Labour costs, including salaries and benefits Capital costs, including machinery and equipment Operating costs directly related to the project, such as management fees or working capital Consulting fees, intellectual property costs, preproduction, subcontracting, and the production and distribution of promotional materials and management tools Specialized services such as testing, research and development, technical or innovation services, sector development strategies in all markets, and business networking

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.