Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

Insider Tip

CIIP uses a two-stage pipeline: attend a Partnership Development Activity (PDA) delegation first to find and vet a foreign partner, then apply for a Co-Innovation CFP project with that partner. Companies that skip straight to a CFP without a prior TCS relationship or PDA participation are at a disadvantage. Your NRC IRAP ITA is your most important ally — establish that relationship early (even before a CFP is announced) since they guide your application and provide credibility to the TCS review committee. Sign up for TCS email alerts to get CFP and PDA announcements immediately — these calls close quickly (often within 4–8 weeks of opening).

Rejection Pitfalls 9

• No IP ownership — technology is licensed from a third party or IP is not held by the Canadian SME
• Foreign partner in a non-CIIP target market (e.g., most European countries, US, Mexico)
• Project too early-stage — basic or applied research without a clear path to commercialization

Success Profile

Export-ready Canadian SME (ideally export-active) with commercialized or near-commercialized technology, clear IP ownership, and a pre-identified foreign partner in Brazil, China, India, Israel, South Korea, or Taiwan. Sectors with highest activity: ICT/software, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, medtech, biotech, critical materials, semiconductors. Has previously engaged with TCS Trade Commissioners and/or attended a CIIP PDA. Has an NRC IRAP ITA relationship. Revenue typically $1M+ to demonstrate financial capacity to cover the 50% matching requirement on a $150K–$600K project.

Evaluation Criteria

CFP applications are assessed on: (1) Innovation merit and technological advancement potential, (2) Quality and complementarity of the foreign partnership, (3) Commercialization plan — market opportunity, go-to-market timeline, revenue projections, (4) Benefits to Canada — jobs, supply chain impact, export potential, (5) Financial capacity to co-fund 50%+ of project costs, (6) NRC IRAP ITA endorsement. PDA applications are assessed on company readiness to engage in international R&D collaboration and alignment with the delegation's sector focus.

Application Steps

Required Documents 9

Eligible Expenses 8

• Salaries and wages of Canadian project team members directly performing R&D collaboration activities
• Contractor and subcontractor fees for specialized technical work related to the project
• Travel costs for Canadian team members to the partner country (airfare, accommodation, meals, local transport)
• Hosting costs for foreign partner visits to Canada
• IP management costs (patent filing, freedom-to-operate assessments, IP agreements)
• Materials and supplies consumed in the R&D project
• Testing and certification costs for prototype validation
• PDA stream: delegation registration, travel, accommodation, and related networking event costs

Ineligible Expenses 7

• Capital equipment purchases
• Operating expenses not directly related to the collaborative R&D project
• Marketing, sales, and general administrative overhead
• Costs incurred before the project approval date (retroactive expenses)
• Costs exceeding 50% government share of total eligible project costs
• Work performed by or subcontracted to the foreign partner (funded by the foreign agency)
• Entertainment and hospitality expenses beyond approved delegation activities

Intake Periods

Not continuous — CIIP operates through periodic Calls for Proposals (CFPs) and Partnership Development Activities (PDAs) announced for specific target markets. Typically 3-6 CFP/PDA announcements per year across all markets. Each call has a specific deadline (usually 4-8 weeks open). Subscribe to TCS email alerts to receive announcements.

Deadline Notes

Monitor https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/en/our-solutions/support-programs/canadian-international-innovation-program.html and sign up for TCS email alerts. Recent active deadlines: Taiwan CFP closed Feb 19, 2026; India PDA closed Jan 11, 2026; France semiconductor PDA closed Jan 18, 2026.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Non-Canadian businesses or businesses not incorporated in Canada
• Large enterprises with more than 500 full-time equivalent employees
• Government organizations and Crown corporations
• Academic institutions applying as lead (may participate as subcontractors)
• Companies without IP ownership or co-ownership of the technology to be commercialized
• Companies seeking partnerships in non-CIIP target markets

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk