Is this actionable now?

rolling. The current successor is the Strategic Response Fund, a continuous consultation and project-development process for large Canadian investments.

A large project must request at least C$10 million, have at least C$20 million in eligible supported costs, demonstrate that government support is needed, secure industry participation and deliver material innovation, economic or resilience benefits to Canada.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Regular cost claims, status, benefit, risk and financing updates; annual financial statements and performance reports; IP, supply-chain, sustainability and EDI plans; audits; post-project benefit and repayment or royalty reports where applicable. Repayable by default for business projects; the fund supplies only the minimum support needed, expects industry financing and accounts for all Canadian government assistance.

Strategic Response Fund

Minimum C$10 million contribution for projects with at least C$20 million eligible supported cost; business contributions are repayable by default, while non-repayable support is exceptional and collaboration/network contributions are generally non-repayable · Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada · rolling applications

Strategic Innovation Fund is a grant programme from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for Companies incorporated in Canada proposing large innovation, growth, collaboration, or net-zero projects with Canadian benefits Current lifecycle: rolling. Real economics: Minimum C$10 million contribution for projects with at least C$20 million eligible supported cost; business contributions are repayable by default, while non-repayable support is exceptional and collaboration/network contributions are generally non-repayable.

Tier 3governmentcanadagrantnon-dilutive

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Amount	Minimum C$10 million contribution for projects with at least C$20 million eligible supported cost; business contributions are repayable by default, while non-repayable support is exceptional and collaboration/network contributions are generally non-repayable
Deadline	Rolling — apply anytime
Decision time	No universal time is published because projects move through consultation, statement of interest, due diligence, term sheet and contribution-agreement negotiation.
Eligibility	A large project must request at least C$10 million, have at least C$20 million in eligible supported costs, demonstrate that government support is needed, secure industry participation and deliver material innovation, economic or resilience benefits to Canada.
Restrictions	Regular cost claims, status, benefit, risk and financing updates; annual financial statements and performance reports; IP, supply-chain, sustainability and EDI plans; audits; post-project benefit and repayment or royalty reports where applicable. Repayable by default for business projects; the fund supplies only the minimum support needed, expects industry financing and accounts for all Canadian government assistance.
Status	rolling

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Request an initial consultation
Submit project and Canadian-benefit information
Complete statement-of-interest screening
Provide detailed due diligence and financing
Negotiate term sheet and contribution agreement
File claims and benefit reports through and after completion

Background

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada operates Strategic Response Fund. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The current official project database lists 160 investments Recent 2026 projects include C$23 million for Siemens Canada's C$70 million battery-production R&D centre and C$20 million for Electra's C$99.4 million refinery project

How the application really works

Request an initial consultation → Submit project and Canadian-benefit information → Complete statement-of-interest screening → Provide detailed due diligence and financing → Negotiate term sheet and contribution agreement → File claims and benefit reports through and after completion

Tips

Show direct fit with all Canadian strategic industry sectors.
Show direct fit with advanced manufacturing.
Show direct fit with critical minerals.
Show direct fit with life sciences.
Show direct fit with clean technology.
Show direct fit with aerospace.
Show direct fit with AI.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is rolling.
Regular cost claims, status, benefit, risk and financing updates; annual financial statements and performance reports; IP, supply-chain, sustainability and EDI plans; audits; post-project benefit and repayment or royalty reports where applicable.
Repayable by default for business projects; the fund supplies only the minimum support needed, expects industry financing and accounts for all Canadian government assistance.

Track record

The current official project database lists 160 investments
Recent 2026 projects include C$23 million for Siemens Canada's C$70 million battery-production R&D centre and C$20 million for Electra's C$99.4 million refinery project

No comparable consultation, full-application and award denominator is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: rolling. The current successor is the Strategic Response Fund, a continuous consultation and project-development process for large Canadian investments.
What is the real economic value?: Minimum C$10 million contribution for projects with at least C$20 million eligible supported cost; business contributions are repayable by default, while non-repayable support is exceptional and collaboration/network contributions are generally non-repayable
Who is eligible?: A large project must request at least C$10 million, have at least C$20 million in eligible supported costs, demonstrate that government support is needed, secure industry participation and deliver material innovation, economic or resilience benefits to Canada.
How does selection work?: Request an initial consultation; Submit project and Canadian-benefit information; Complete statement-of-interest screening; Provide detailed due diligence and financing; Negotiate term sheet and contribution agreement; File claims and benefit reports through and after completion. No universal time is published because projects move through consultation, statement of interest, due diligence, term sheet and contribution-agreement negotiation.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Regular cost claims, status, benefit, risk and financing updates; annual financial statements and performance reports; IP, supply-chain, sustainability and EDI plans; audits; post-project benefit and repayment or royalty reports where applicable. Repayable by default for business projects; the fund supplies only the minimum support needed, expects industry financing and accounts for all Canadian government assistance.
What evidence exists?: The current official project database lists 160 investments Recent 2026 projects include C$23 million for Siemens Canada's C$70 million battery-production R&D centre and C$20 million for Electra's C$99.4 million refinery project No comparable consultation, full-application and award denominator is published.

Sources

ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund/program-guide — Official current successor eligibility, process, costs, reporting, IP and minimum scale (checked 2026-08-10)
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund/project-requirements/funding-amounts-and-conditions — Official repayability, non-repayable exception and sharing rules (checked 2026-08-10)
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en/programs-and-initiatives/strategic-response-fund/investments/projects — Official current project count and 2026 outcomes (checked 2026-08-10)
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/strategic-response-fund/en — Official source used for the 2026-08-11 verification correction. (checked 2026-08-11)