NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program is Canada's flagship non-dilutive R&D support for small and medium-sized enterprises, delivered by the National Research Council Canada. The program has an annual envelope of about CA$414 million and funds roughly 3,362 firms a year through a network of 275 Industrial Technology Advisors who work directly with applicants. The instrument is a non-repayable contribution, not a conventional competitive grant with fixed deadlines. Awards typically reimburse 60 to 80 percent of eligible R&D labour and subcontractor costs, with first-time projects often starting around CA$75,000 and established programs reaching CA$1 million or more. The Accelerated Review Program can turn around smaller projects, roughly under CA$50,000, in about four weeks. Eligibility is restricted to incorporated, for-profit Canadian businesses with up to 500 full-time-equivalent employees. IRAP works best for companies that want an assigned advisor as part of the funding path, because the ITA is both technical guide and gatekeeper. The strongest applications are clear, company-led R&D plans with a credible co-funding share, a defined commercialization path, and the discipline to manage costs against milestone-based reimbursement.

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