Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) — EOI

Funds Canadian clean energy and transportation infrastructure enabling critical minerals development.

The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF), administered by Natural Resources Canada, provides up to CAD 1.5 billion in federal funding until 2030 to support clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects that enable the sustainable development and expansion of Canada's critical minerals sector. Eligible infrastructure projects include clean energy mine-site installations (grid connections, renewable generation, battery storage, EV charging), regional transportation infrastructure (roads and rail) with a demonstrated link to critical minerals production, and other projects directly enabling critical minerals activity. The fund operates on a rolling basis, accepting Expressions of Interest on an ongoing basis where funding remains available; a directed stream call closed March 4, 2026.

Funding levels depend on applicant type: non-governmental organisations can receive up to CAD 50 million per project, and provincial or territorial governments can receive up to CAD 100 million per project. The default cost-share is 50% of total eligible expenses; projects in Arctic, Northern, or Indigenous-led contexts qualify for up to 75% cost-share; public-private partnerships are funded at 33%. Eligible applicants include provincial, territorial, and municipal governments and their related organisations, Indigenous majority-owned or controlled for-profit and not-for-profit organisations, and other Canadian for-profit and not-for-profit legal entities such as companies and industry associations. Pure research institutions are not listed as eligible.

CMIF is designed for capital-intensive infrastructure projects, making it most relevant to mining companies, utilities, Indigenous development corporations, and government entities with a direct role in the critical minerals value chain. Given the rolling intake structure, applicants should engage NRCan early to confirm funding availability and project eligibility before submitting an EOI. Contact: cmif-fimc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.