How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Strategic Science Fund (SSF)?

Strategic Science Fund (SSF) is funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

What are Strategic Science Fund (SSF)'s eligibility criterias?

Start-up companies (including those housed in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators) are eligible as Ultimate Recipients when funds are further distributed by an SSF Recipient. Companies must deliver public engagement activities to qualify as Ultimate Recipients.

Strategic Science Fund (SSF)

Last Update: June 26, 2025

Canada

Mobilizes research to enhance Canada's scientific excellence

Strategic Science Fund (SSF) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 15% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance

Grant Providers

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Status

Open

Overview of the Strategic Science Fund (SSF) program

The Strategic Science Fund (SSF) aims to enhance Canada's scientific, technological, and innovation excellence by mobilizing the resources of not-for-profit organizations to address critical needs and support federal objectives. Eligible activities include leading-edge research, knowledge mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and training to develop world-class research and innovation talent.

Financing terms and conditions

Total Canadian government assistance is not to exceed 100% of eligible project costs.
For research activities benefiting industry, government assistance is capped at 75% of total eligible costs.
Operational expenses are generally expected to be a maximum of 15% of the total SSF Award, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis.
Recipients may carry over up to 10% of unexpended and uncommitted SSF funds from one fiscal year to the next, not exceeding the project completion date.
Acquisition of major research equipment is ineligible if the net federal cost exceeds $250,000, except in exceptional, approved cases.

Eligible projects & activities

Conducting research and translating results in key areas of science and technology to develop new products, services, or inform public policy.
Disseminating and exchanging research outcomes through communications and engagement initiatives.
Facilitating collaborations, including participation of Canadian researchers in international projects.
Organizing stakeholder engagement activities to convene the research community.
Supporting the creation, growth, and retention of companies, including efforts in training, work-integrated learning, internships, and development of highly qualified personnel.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 1,200,000

Building a new state-of-the-art laboratory for quantum computing research

$ 250,000

Stakeholder engagement to promote renewable energy adoption

$ 160,000

Developing STEM learning modules for high school students

$ 400,000

Development of a new AI-driven diagnostic tool for early-stage cancer detection

$ 360,000

Organizing an international conference on climate change solutions

$ 600,000

Implementing a data-sharing platform for agricultural innovation

Eligibility criteria of the Strategic Science Fund (SSF) program

The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada.
The organization must undertake activities that support the objectives of the Strategic Science Fund, such as research, talent development, knowledge mobilization, or innovation culture.
The proposed project must clearly contribute to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation in alignment with federal priorities.
The applicant must be prepared to enter into a contribution agreement with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada or Health Canada if selected for funding.

Who is eligible?

Not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Canada
Post-secondary institutions (as Ultimate Recipients)
Research hospitals (as Ultimate Recipients)
Indigenous organizations and governments (as Ultimate Recipients)
Start-up companies, including those in Canadian post-secondary-linked incubators (as Ultimate Recipients)

Who is not eligible

Federal departments, agencies, or crown corporations of the Government of Canada.

Eligible expenses

Salaries and benefits for researchers, research staff, students, highly qualified personnel (HQP), trainees, administrative staff, and management (within public service equivalent rates).
Operating costs of core research facilities and day-to-day administrative operations (up to 15% of the total award).
Purchase of equipment (excluding major research equipment over $250,000), scientific collections, computer hardware or software required for the project, and information databases.
Direct costs of knowledge creation and professional or technical services (including consulting and translation).
Materials and supplies for project execution.
Travel and accommodation expenses for research, knowledge mobilization, networking, and staff (in line with government directives).
Incremental costs for knowledge mobilization, technology transfer, policy development, tool development and evaluation, intellectual property protection, market studies, and prototype development.
Expenses related to seminars, workshops, networking meetings, and conferences.
Communications, public education, and dissemination of research results.
Office supplies, hospitality (aligned with federal standards), insurance, rent, utilities, and audit costs.
Support for indirect costs (overhead) for ultimate recipients, if redistributing funds, up to 15% of project costs with justification.

Eligible geographic areas

Organizations incorporated and operating anywhere in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Strategic Science Fund (SSF) program

Strategic value aligned with core federal responsibilities and priorities.
Added value to federal science, technology, and innovation investments.
Presence at the national level.
Science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) capacity, sound governance, and operational efficiency.
Critical role of federal funding and demonstrable impact.

How to apply to the Strategic Science Fund (SSF) program

Assess eligibility and program fit

Review the Strategic Science Fund's eligibility requirements and objectives
Determine if your not-for-profit organization aligns with the program's priorities

Submit a Letter of Intent

Prepare and submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the SSF Secretariat
Address the merit-review criteria outlined by the program

Submit full application

If invited, prepare a comprehensive full application for the Strategic Science Fund
Include relevant documentation and detailed responses to program objectives

Application review and assessment

Application undergoes technical review by subject matter experts
Evaluation by a multidisciplinary expert panel for strategic alignment and recommendations

Await funding decision

Wait for funding decision from the SSF Steering Committee and Ministers
Receive notification of acceptance or rejection

Additional information

All recipients are required to develop and implement policies for privacy, conflict of interest, equity, diversity, inclusion, and research security.
Intellectual property generated from funded activities must provide benefits to Canada and recipients must ensure proper IP policies and reporting.
Annual self-evaluation of the board of directors is expected to identify and improve governance practices.
Recipients must ensure compliance with federal official languages requirements for communications and annual reporting.