Clean Energy & Critical Minerals Funding in Canada

The Energy Innovation Program (EIP) funds research, development, and demonstration of clean energy technologies — renewable energy, smart grid, energy efficiency, and related solutions — for up to $4 million per project under most calls, with $10 million reserved for exceptional, large-scale cases. EIP is not a single application; it is an umbrella of individual calls that open and close on their own schedules, and expression-of-interest deadlines are strict with no extensions.

This is a tax credit, not a grant: a taxable Canadian corporation investing in manufacturing or processing equipment for clean technology products, or in extraction or processing equipment for critical minerals, can claim up to 30% of eligible costs back as a refundable credit, declining after 2032 and running through 2034. There is no competitive application — CRA determines eligibility on review of your T2 return and Schedule 76, and the credit is automatic if the equipment meets the statutory definition and is used primarily (over 50%) for eligible activities.

The Canada Growth Fund (CGF), managed by PSP Investments, is an investment vehicle — not a grant — that puts $25 million to $200 million or more into Canadian-based or Canadian-benefiting companies at commercial or near-commercial scale, where the technology addresses emissions reduction or clean economy growth. CGF reviews hundreds of opportunities a year through active deal sourcing and has closed roughly 15 to 20 investments since 2023, so the bar is institutional, not grant-program-competitive.

This NRCan program funds research, development, or demonstration projects related to critical minerals mining, processing, or recycling, for up to $5 million per project, favouring industry-led or collaborative projects that advance Canadian critical mineral supply chains. It is currently between intakes — the expression of interest is treated as the entry point to a relationship-driven pipeline rather than a one-shot competitive process, so submitting early and building the relationship matters as much as the paperwork.

Run by the Government of British Columbia, the ICE Fund's Open Call supports pre-commercial and early-commercial clean energy innovation, technology demonstration, R&D, or energy efficiency projects taking place within BC. The fund has committed over $124 million since 2008 across hundreds of projects, though the exact award varies by project. Do not skip the mandatory Inquiry Form — it is the required first step before any full application, and ICE Fund money often stacks with FedDev, NRCan, or Innovate BC support.

TMEI rebates 25% of drilling costs for hard-rock mineral exploration companies operating in Saskatchewan, up to $150,000 per company (up to $50,000 for uranium exploration specifically). Expanded in 2023 to cover all hard-rock minerals under Saskatchewan's Critical Minerals Strategy — previously it was limited to specific commodities — this makes Saskatchewan one of the most exploration-friendly jurisdictions in the country. Applications must be submitted annually by December 31.

JEA rebates 40 to 75% of eligible mineral exploration costs for companies primarily engaged in mineral exploration and/or mining on the island of Newfoundland or in Labrador, up to $150,000 for island projects and up to $225,000 for Labrador projects. It is currently between intakes. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent using the published JEA 2026 LOI form and consult the JEA 2026 Guidelines before drafting — the LOI Guide spells out what reviewers expect in the technical and budget sections.