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Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

Supports transformative innovation projects in Canada

Offered by
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Official source: ised-isde.canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For the Business Innovation and Growth Stream, a for-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada, or a partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada.
See full eligibility

Overview

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) offers repayable and non-repayable contributions for transformative innovation projects in Canada, with a minimum contribution of $10 million for projects with budgets of at least $20 million. It supports Business Innovation and Growth projects and Collaborations and Networks projects, covering costs such as labour, equipment, buildings, and network operations.

At a glance

Funding available

Minimum funding
$10,000,000
Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Increase production or service capacity
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Increase operational productivity
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Optimize production processes
  • Reduce environmental footprint
  • Renovate or expand facilities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
For-profit business, Non-profit

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

Strategic Innovation Fund content updated

The program page was refreshed with the Strategic Innovation Fund name, a shorter program overview, and updated funding and eligibility summaries.

See more

The program page now presents the Strategic Innovation Fund instead of the Strategic Response Fund and condenses the overview into a shorter summary. It also updates the funding description, eligible expenditures, eligibility wording, and program intake language. The new version emphasizes a minimum contribution of $10 million, projects with budgets of at least $20 million, and the possibility of repayable or non-repayable support for priority sectors. Several detailed application and project-process sections from the earlier version are no longer shown in the current page text.

Official source: ised-isde.canada.ca
April 26, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For the Business Innovation and Growth Stream, a for-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada, or a partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada.
  • For the Collaborations and Networks stream, lead applicants that are for-profit or not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada.

Eligible expenses

  • Non-recurring costs specifically related to the project.
  • Direct labour, subcontractors and consultants.
  • Direct materials and equipment, land and buildings.
  • Overhead and other direct costs.
  • Expenditures related to network operations and activities for Collaborations and Networks projects.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Advertising, except reasonable industry or institutional advertising in specialized journals to disseminate information.
  • Interest on invested capital, bonds, debentures, bank or other loans, including bond discounts and finance charges.
  • Amortization of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of assets.
  • Unreasonable compensation for officers and employees.
  • Donations, entertainment expenses, fines, penalties, and membership dues other than regular trade and professional associations.
  • Losses on investments, bad debts, collection expenses, or losses on other projects or contracts.
  • Life insurance premiums for officers or directors.
  • Product development or improvement expenses not associated with the approved project.
  • Provisions for contingencies and selling or marketing expenses for products or services developed under the project.
  • Taxes such as excess profit taxes, federal or provincial income taxes, goods and services taxes, and special expenses related to those taxes.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Activities funded

  • Business Innovation and Growth projects led by individual companies.
  • Collaborations and Networks projects involving collaborations between SMEs, large corporations, research institutes, post-secondary institutions, or not-for-profit organizations.

How to apply

  • Step 1: Pre-consultation
    • Use the online eligibility questionnaire to verify basic fit with the program.
    • Request a consultation and provide a brief summary of your project.
    • Meet with program officials to confirm alignment with priorities and requirements.
  • Step 2: Statement of Interest
    • Complete the Statement of Interest (SOI) form provided by SRF officers.
    • Describe the project, partners, expected benefits to Canada, and alignment with SRF objectives and priorities.
    • Detail your organization’s financial and management capacity and past experience with similar projects or government investments.
    • Submit the SOI and await assessment and feedback or invitation to proceed.
  • Step 3: Full Application
    • If invited via a Letter of Intent, prepare and submit a full application with detailed technical, financial and benefits information.
    • Participate in SRF’s due diligence and benefits assessment, responding to requests for clarification or additional data.
  • Step 4: Term Sheet and Contribution Agreement
    • If the project passes due diligence, negotiate a Term Sheet outlining funding terms, benefits and key conditions.
    • Following ministerial approval, work with SRF to finalize and sign the Contribution Agreement.
  • Step 5: Implementation and Claims
    • After signing, implement the project and submit cost claims, typically quarterly.
    • Provide required status, benefits and risk reports throughout the project, and participate in any audits.

Selection criteria

  • Technical feasibility and soundness of the proposed project.
  • Expected economic, public and innovation benefits for Canada, including jobs, revenues, environmental and social impacts.
  • Organizational capacity, including managerial, technical and workforce capabilities to deliver the project.
  • Financial and market risk profile, including robustness of eligible project costs and financing.
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion practices and alignment with program investment priorities.

Processing and Agreement

  • After submitting a Statement of Interest, applicants receive acknowledgment, an assigned SRF officer, and either a request for more information, an invitation to full application, or notice of non-selection.
  • Full applications undergo a detailed due diligence assessment covering technical feasibility, benefits to Canada, environmental impacts, management and workforce capacity, EDI practices, and financial and market risks.
  • For network projects, SRF also assesses the capacity and experience of the lead applicant and network members.
  • If due diligence is successful, SRF negotiates a Term Sheet, seeks ministerial approval, and then develops a legally binding Contribution Agreement outlining obligations, benefits, reporting and repayment schedules.
  • During implementation, SRF reviews regular claims and reports, monitors progress and benefits, and may conduct audits of project costs, royalties and compliance with applicable legislation.

Additional information

  • The program is claim-based, with recipients submitting cost claims typically on a quarterly basis during project implementation.
  • Contribution Agreements can span 20 years or more, including long-term monitoring of project benefits.
  • Recipients must comply with federal lobbying, conflict of interest, and ethics rules as part of the Contribution Agreement.
  • Applicants must have an intellectual property strategy and are responsible for protecting IP arising from funded activities.

Contacts

ic.sifadmission-fsiadmission.ic@canada.ca
1-800-328-6189

Official sources

ised-isde.canada.ca
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Program

What is the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)?

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) offers repayable and non-repayable contributions for transformative innovation projects in Canada, with a minimum contribution of $10 million for projects with budgets of at least $20 million. It supports Business Innovation and Growth projects and Collaborations and Networks projects, covering costs such as labour, equipment, buildings, and network operations.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) program?

To be eligible for the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) program, you must: Business Innovation and Growth applicants must be a for-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada, or a partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada. Collaborations and Networks lead applicants must be a for-profit or not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada. Projects must fall under either the Business Innovation and Growth or Collaborations and Networks category.

What expenses are eligible under Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)?

Non-recurring costs specifically related to the project. Direct labour, subcontractors and consultants. Direct materials and equipment, land and buildings. Overhead and other direct costs. Expenditures related to network operations and activities for Collaborations and Networks projects.

Who can I contact for more information about the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)?

You can contact Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) by email at ic.sifadmission-fsiadmission.ic@canada.ca or by phone at 1-800-328-6189.

Where is the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) available?

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) program is available across Canada.

Is the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is a Grant and Funding