Strategic Science Fund (SSF)

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.