How much funding can be received?

The SDTC (Sustainable Development Technology Canada) grant program aims to fund promising sustainable technology development and demonstration projects that have significant environmental benefits, such as reducing GHG emissions, minimizing water consumption, and reducing contamination. Eligible activities include advancing technology development and/or demonstration required to secure the first paying customer, with a focus on economic viability and market validation.

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This grant is specifically available to Canadian-owned companies. The eligibility is limited to ensure that only companies located within Canada can apply for funding consideration.

Companies based within Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$600,000

Vancouver

Development of a water recycling system to minimize industrial water consumption

$400,000

Toronto

Development of a biodegradable plastic to reduce GHG emissions

$425,000

Toronto

Implementation of solar-powered air purifiers to reduce urban air pollution

$350,000

Calgary

Development of air purification technology to reduce urban air pollution

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This grant requires companies to meet several criteria to be eligible for funding.

Your company must be Canadian-owned.
You must define a project that may further your innovation along the pathway of commercialization.
Your innovation must deliver quantifiable, significant, and scalable environmental benefits.
Your innovation must have a strong end-user value proposition.
You must have a commercialization partner identified that can validate the market need for your innovation.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Small to medium-sized Canadian-owned companies with innovative technologies that offer significant and scalable environmental benefits, and have a strong end-user value proposition, are eligible for funding under SDTC. These projects should involve further development towards commercialization, which includes working with a consortium partner to validate the market need.

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This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

Non-Canadian companies.
Technologies that deliver economic benefits without substantial environmental benefits.
Research projects.
Deployment of commercialized technologies (e.g., solar/wind farms).
Purchase of proven technology from another jurisdiction for use in Canada.
Incremental modifications to existing technologies or processes.
One-off projects to reduce emissions at a specific site.
Majority-owned Canadian subsidiaries of foreign multinational enterprises.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports projects that focus on advancing sustainable technology solutions while delivering environmental benefits and demonstrating economic viability. The primary aim is to aid technology development and ensure their commercial readiness, targeting significant issues such as reducing emissions and minimizing environmental impact.

Further development and demonstration of sustainable technology innovations that are beyond proof-of-concept but pre-commercial.
Projects that show the potential to achieve significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Initiatives aimed at minimizing water consumption and reducing contamination in water, soil, or air.
Projects that incorporate technological risk mitigation and validation of economic viability.
Development actions aimed at establishing market readiness for sustainable technologies by securing the first paying customer.

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The grant covers specific expenses directly associated with carrying out the project within the scope of commercialization support and technology validation.

Development and demonstration costs directly related to the project.
Costs associated with the validation of the economic viability of the technology.
Expenses incurred for technical and economic performance demonstration of the proposed technology.
Project-related expenses that ensure the participation of consortium partners.
Cost for reports required by SDTC, including technical deliverables and metrics outlined in the Contribution Agreement.
Expenses occurring within Canada that account for at least 50% of eligible project costs.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives, although point scores are not explicitly mentioned in the provided context.

Technological development stage beyond proof-of-concept but pre-commercialization.
Potential for significant environmental benefits, such as reducing GHG emissions or minimizing water consumption.
Technological risk mitigation and demonstration of economic viability.
Strong market validation with a consortium partner representing the target customer.
Feasibility to continue the technology development towards commercialization.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Confirm your company is Canadian-owned and the innovation brings significant and scalable environmental benefits.
- Ensure you have a commercialization partner to validate the market need for your innovation.
Step 2: Application Preparation
- Download and review the "How To Apply" booklet from the SDTC website.
- Ensure your project aligns with SDTC's eligibility, costs, and evaluation criteria.
Step 3: Initial Application Submission
- Download the application template available on the SDTC portal.
- Complete the application template with detailed information about your project.
- Submit the application through the SDTC application portal.
Step 4: Presentation Invitation
- If eligible, prepare to present your project through a video conference with SDTC experts.
Step 5: Due Diligence
- If your application is preliminarily approved, submit a detailed proposal via the online portal.
- SDTC staff will conduct a due diligence visit to your project site.
Step 6: Project Review and Approval
- The Project Review Committee will evaluate your detailed proposal.
- Recommended projects move to the SDTC Board of Directors for final approval.
Step 7: Contribution Agreement
- If your project is approved, work with SDTC to prepare a Contribution Agreement.
Step 8: Project Funding and Implementation
- Receive funds as per the milestone schedules in the Contribution Agreement.
- Report on technical deliverables and project expenses at each milestone.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

SDTC funding typically includes non-repayable contributions for projects that meet specific eligibility criteria, with the goal of advancing the development and commercialization of sustainable technologies in Canada.

Funding is on average 33% of eligible project costs, with contributions typically ranging from $2 million to $4 million, disbursed over up to five years.
Projects must have a minimum of 25% private-sector funding and cannot have total government funding exceeding 75% of eligible project costs.
Projects must incur at least 50% of eligible project costs within Canada.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and involve a multi-step process with checkpoints and coaching.
The recipient is required to acknowledge SDTC funding in press releases and public statements about the project.
Post-project completion, recipients must complete an annual questionnaire for five years to track the success of the technology in the market.

grant_single_labels|contact

applications@sdtc.ca

(343) 804-0691

Apply to this program

Sustainable Development Technology Canada: Funding for Sustainable Innovations

Supported by the Government of Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) seeks to fund innovative Canadian companies engaged in sustainable technology development. The grant aims to push forward technologies that deliver significant environmental benefits while being on the verge of commercialization.

Detailed Insights into SDTC Grant Opportunities

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is pivotal in fostering the commercialization of sustainable technologies that address environmental challenges while enhancing Canada’s economic competitiveness. The organization functions as a catalyst for small to medium-sized Canadian enterprises, aiming to elevate these companies to become leaders in sustainability through strategic financial support. To be eligible, applicants must showcase innovations that present quantifiable and scalable environmental benefits, thus advancing a technology that meets contemporary challenges such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or minimizing resource consumption.

The SDTC funding program is structured as a non-repayable contribution, meaning recipients are not required to pay back the funds granted. A noteworthy factor is that SDTC does not claim ownership of any intellectual property developed under funded projects, which allows companies to retain control and potential commercial success over their innovations. This policy is designed to incentivize innovation and broaden the scope of the sustainable technologies that enter the market.

The application process is carefully crafted to ensure suitability and readiness of projects, beginning with an eligibility review. This is followed by a thorough evaluation including a presentation stage for promising applications. The program aims to transition companies from project submission to board approval within five months, underscoring SDTC's commitment to efficient processing and deployment of funds. Once approved, contribution agreements set out financial milestones that align with project deliverables, ensuring that investments lead to substantive outcomes. Applicants are also encouraged to collaborate with consortium partners to further validate their market readiness and ensure uptake.

SDTC typically provides funding for approximately a third (33%) of eligible project costs, with an expectation that applicants secure a minimum of 25% funding from private sources. This model is designed to leverage broader financial ecosystems to maximize the impact of SDTC’s support. Projects must take place primarily within Canada, with at least 50% of expenses incurred domestically, ensuring that the economic and environmental benefits support the local economy.

The grant targets projects at the critical stage of transitioning technology from development to market, offering support not only through funding but also through a framework that includes robust reporting requirements on environmental and commercial impacts. These criteria are integral to ensuring that the supported technologies not only reach commercialization but do so in a way that meets stringent environmental metrics as stipulated in the agreements.

All in all, the SDTC grant represents a significant opportunity for Canadian companies committed to pioneering sustainable technologies. It facilitates the development and scaling of solutions that decrease environmental impacts while enhancing economic growth. By investing in such innovation, the grant helps businesses meet regulatory requirements, improve efficiencies, and align with global standards for sustainability.

This robust support system, offered by SDTC, ensures that funded projects are not only scientifically innovative but also economically viable, empowering companies to lead Canada into a more sustainable future.