Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: 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

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Trade Commissioner Service — Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding for international industrial R&D

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $600,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Maximum financial support of $15,000 for Partnership Development Activities (PDAs).
Maximum financial support of $600,000 for approved collaborative research and development (R&D) projects.

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 175,000

Research renewable energy solutions in partnership with a firm in China

$ 111,500

Study the impact of climate change in Lakeland areas with Brazilian counterparts

$ 120,000

Develop a new software solution in collaboration with a partner in Brazil

$ 102,000

Enhance agricultural practices with a partner in South Korea

$ 167,000

Develop a medical device in cooperation with a partner in India

$ 88,000

Create a cultural exchange program with partners in Israel

Eligibility

The applicant must be an incorporated, for-profit small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees.
The company must be ready to collaborate on a research and development (R&D) project with a foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, or Taiwan.
The project must aim to commercialize new or improved products, services, or processes.
The applicant must own or co-own the intellectual property of the technology to be commercialized (for partnership development activities).
The company must have sufficient resources to finance their share of project or partnership development costs.

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.

Selection criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant's objectives of promoting international R&D collaboration.

Quality and scope of the proposed collaboration with foreign partners.
Potential for successful commercialization of the developed or adapted technology.
Strength and credibility of the Canadian and foreign partners involved.
Alignment of the project with targeted international markets such as Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Efficient use of resources and feasible project implementation plan.

How to apply

Register with NRC IRAP

Provide basic information about your organization.
Get assigned an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) from NRC IRAP.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Fill out the EOI form with preliminary project details.
Submit the EOI to your NRC IRAP representative for evaluation.
Await invitation to submit a detailed proposal if qualified.

Submit an International Consortium Project Proposal (ICPP)

Collaborate with your foreign partner to complete the ICPP package.
Submit the ICPP to both NRC IRAP and the partner country's funding body.

Finalize National Funding Body Proposal and Funding Agreement

Work independently with the national funding bodies.
Prepare and sign funding proposals and legally binding agreements.
Coordinate with NRC IRAP to finalize a Contribution Agreement (CA).

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

innovation@international.gc.ca

Apply to this program

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.