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Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Funding for international industrial R&D
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 600,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Get up to $600,000 in funding to cover up to 50% of research and development project expenses while working with a foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Israel or South Korea.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development of research and development (R&D) partnerships with foreign companies to foster international collaboration.
- Collaborative R&D projects aimed at co-developing new or improved products, services, or processes with commercial potential.
- Adaptation of existing technologies to new international markets.
- Validation of innovative products or technologies through technical and business assessments with global partners.
- Participation in networking and matchmaking activities to establish or expand international R&D collaborations.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are incorporated and for-profit
Who is not eligible
- Companies that are entirely funded by Canadian government organizations (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, or Crown corporations).
Eligible expenses
- Salaries for personnel involved in the project
- Contractors' fees
- Economy class airfare
- Accommodations
- Meals (per diems)
- Local transportation
- Translation and marketing materials
- Conference and tradeshow fees
- Photocopying or printing of materials
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian companies incorporated anywhere in Canada are eligible.
Additional information
- Applicants are not required to be current clients of the Trade Commissioner Service or NRC IRAP at the time of application.
- Progress and final reporting will be necessary as recipients must demonstrate continued compliance with contribution agreement terms to receive reimbursements.
- Partnership agreements must detail partner roles, intellectual property frameworks, and budget allocations.
- No annual minimum revenue requirement exists, but companies must demonstrate financial capacity to support their share of project costs.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)?
Get up to $600,000 in funding to cover up to 50% of research and development project expenses while working with a foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Israel or South Korea.
How much funding can be received?
Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $600,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) program?
To be eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) program, you must:
Incorporated, for-profit Canadian SME with up to 500 employees
Ready to collaborate on R&D with a foreign partner
Seeking to commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes
What expenses are eligible under Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)?
Development of research and development (R&D) partnerships with foreign companies to foster international collaboration.
Collaborative R&D projects aimed at co-developing new or improved products, services, or processes with commercial potential.
Adaptation of existing technologies to new international markets.
Validation of innovative products or technologies through technical and business assessments with global partners.
Participation in networking and matchmaking activities to establish or expand international R&D collaborations.
Who can I contact for more information about the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)?
You can contact Global Affairs Canada (GAC) by email at innovation@international.gc.ca.
Where is the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) available?
The Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) program is available across Canada.
Is the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) is a Grant and Funding