NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)
Project contribution is tailored; the current official page does not publish a universal percentage or maximum. · National Research Council of Canada — Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) · rolling applications
Provides Canadian SMEs with advisory services and non-repayable contributions covering a share of salary and contractor costs for research and development and innovation projects, via Industrial Technology Advisors. Current lifecycle: rolling. Real economics: Project contribution is tailored; the current official page does not publish a universal percentage or maximum..
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Key facts
| Funder | National Research Council of Canada — Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) |
| Amount | Project contribution is tailored; the current official page does not publish a universal percentage or maximum. |
| Deadline | Rolling — apply anytime |
| Decision time | Initial contact leads to advisor assessment and only some companies are invited to funding proposals; no public standard decision time. |
| Eligibility | Incorporated, profit-oriented Canadian SMEs with 500 or fewer full-time employees, with an objective to grow and generate profits through innovation. |
| Restrictions | Recipients must comply with the governing call or agreement, retain technical and cost evidence, report progress and outcomes, and support audit, tax or milestone verification as applicable. Funding supports Canadian technical R&D and innovation work, not day-to-day operations, purely commercial activity, work outside Canada or research with limited commercialization potential. |
| Status | rolling |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Application process
- Contact NRC IRAP (1-877-994-4727) to be connected with an Industrial Technology Advisor
- Discuss the project and eligibility with the ITA
- Develop a project proposal and budget with the ITA
- IRAP assessment and approval
- Contribution agreement and claim-based reimbursement of eligible costs
Background
National Research Council of Canada — Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) operates NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. NRC IRAP combines funding with a nationwide Industrial Technology Advisor network. The program assesses technical strength, management, market potential and benefits to Canada. Advisor engagement does not guarantee funding.
How the application really works
Contact NRC IRAP (1-877-994-4727) to be connected with an Industrial Technology Advisor → Discuss the project and eligibility with the ITA → Develop a project proposal and budget with the ITA → IRAP assessment and approval → Contribution agreement and claim-based reimbursement of eligible costs
Tips
- Show direct fit with innovative technology-driven products and services.
Watch out for
- Current lifecycle is rolling.
- Recipients must comply with the governing call or agreement, retain technical and cost evidence, report progress and outcomes, and support audit, tax or milestone verification as applicable.
- Funding supports Canadian technical R&D and innovation work, not day-to-day operations, purely commercial activity, work outside Canada or research with limited commercialization potential.
Track record
- NRC IRAP combines funding with a nationwide Industrial Technology Advisor network.
- The program assesses technical strength, management, market potential and benefits to Canada.
- Advisor engagement does not guarantee funding.
The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this actionable now?
- rolling. Companies begin through NRC IRAP's continuous advisory intake; an Industrial Technology Advisor may invite a project proposal when fit and capacity are established.
- What is the real economic value?
- Project contribution is tailored; the current official page does not publish a universal percentage or maximum.
- Who is eligible?
- Incorporated, profit-oriented Canadian SMEs with 500 or fewer full-time employees, with an objective to grow and generate profits through innovation.
- How does selection work?
- Contact NRC IRAP (1-877-994-4727) to be connected with an Industrial Technology Advisor; Discuss the project and eligibility with the ITA; Develop a project proposal and budget with the ITA; IRAP assessment and approval; Contribution agreement and claim-based reimbursement of eligible costs. Initial contact leads to advisor assessment and only some companies are invited to funding proposals; no public standard decision time.
- What burden and restrictions apply?
- Recipients must comply with the governing call or agreement, retain technical and cost evidence, report progress and outcomes, and support audit, tax or milestone verification as applicable. Funding supports Canadian technical R&D and innovation work, not day-to-day operations, purely commercial activity, work outside Canada or research with limited commercialization potential.
- What evidence exists?
- NRC IRAP combines funding with a nationwide Industrial Technology Advisor network. The program assesses technical strength, management, market potential and benefits to Canada. Advisor engagement does not guarantee funding. The reviewed official corpus does not publish a comparable applicant denominator and selection rate.
Related grants
Sources
- nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation/financial-support-technology-innovation — Official 2026 eligibility, process, exclusions, contact and assessment (checked 2026-08-10)
- nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation — Official program entry and advisory route (checked 2026-08-10)
- nrc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2022-09/irap22_summary_report.pdf — Official independent program evaluation summary (checked 2026-08-10)