Strategic Response Fund

The Strategic Response Fund sits under Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and is the successor to the Strategic Innovation Fund. It is the federal government’s large-scale industrial contribution program for R&D, adaptation, and AI infrastructure projects across steel, aluminum, automotive, cleantech, life sciences, aerospace, and critical minerals. The program requires a minimum ISED contribution of CAD 10 million and total eligible project costs of at least CAD 20 million. Intake is rolling and begins with a mandatory pre-application consultation, followed by a Statement of Interest if invited and then a full application. The program is split into Business Innovation and Growth, which generally serves for-profit corporations through repayable contributions with co-investment expected, and Collaborations and Networks, which is generally non-repayable and better suited to nonprofits and academic institutions. The AI Compute Challenge also routes through the same intake channel. This is a fit for large Canadian projects that already have scale, partners, and co-investment in view. The strongest proposals will be able to show industrial impact, national relevance, and enough project size to justify the staged review process. It is a contribution program for major bets, not a general innovation grant for early-stage teams.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.