This program is currently between intakes. 2023-24 call (first round). 2025-26 call: Stream 1 (Preconstruction) EOIs closed June 27, 2025; Stream 2 (Shovel-Ready) EOIs closed January 5, 2026, full applications accepted until March 4, 2026.
Updated March 2026 · Verified against Natural Resources Canada guidelines
▲ Growing Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Est. 2023
Grant Federal Between Intakes

Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)

Natural Resources Canada
Maximum Funding
Up to $50 million
Stream 2 March 2026 deadline passed — future calls expected through 2030
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
75%
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) provides Up to $50 million per project ($100M for governments). Up to $1. The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Stream 2 March 2026 deadline passed — future calls expected through 2030. (As of March 2026, verified against Natural Resources Canada program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Up to $1.5 billion for clean energy and transportation infrastructure enabling critical minerals mining and processing. Covers roads, rail, grid connections, renewable energy at mine sites. Two streams: Preconstruction (closed) and Shovel-Ready. Indigenous capacity grants sub-stream provides $150K-$200K.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Legal entities in Canada (for-profit, non-profit)
  • Provincial/territorial/municipal governments
  • Indigenous-owned organizations
  • Infrastructure must enable critical minerals development
  • Stream 2: shovel-ready projects (permits, engineering complete)
  • Clean energy min 4 MW (500 kW for Indigenous-led)
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Natural Resources Renewable Energy Clean Technology
Business Stage
Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
Est. Hours
350h
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $50 million per project ($100M for governments)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 75% of eligible costs
Deadline
Stream 2 March 2026 deadline passed — future calls expected through 2030

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
High
Effort
~350 hours
Approval
Competitive
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win CMIF — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

This funds infrastructure TO the mine, not the mine itself. Strongest applications show: 'Without this road/power line, this specific critical minerals project cannot proceed.' Indigenous-led projects get 75% coverage AND lower energy thresholds. Contact [email protected] early.

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Success Profile

Mining company, municipality, or Indigenous economic development corporation with shovel-ready infrastructure project enabling a critical minerals mine. Provincial co-funding committed.

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Evaluation Criteria

Interdepartmental merit-based assessment engaging expertise from relevant federal departments. Three core evaluation pillars: (1) expected support for critical minerals production in Canada, (2) due diligence on application quality, project feasibility, and project risks including recipient capacity and work plan barriers, and (3) expected economic, environmental, and Indigenous reconciliation benefits. Greater project uncertainties can be accepted where the application demonstrates substantial benefits. Assessed on first-come/first-ready basis — completeness and readiness are competitive advantages.

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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Pre-Application Consultation Contact [email protected] early to discuss project eligibility and alignment. NRCan program officers can provide guidance on application requirements before formal submission.
2 Submit Expression of Interest Submit an EOI through the secure NRCan Funding Portal. Strongly encouraged before proceeding to full application. EOI deadline for Stream 2 (Shovel-Ready) was January 5, 2026.
3 Prepare Full Application Compile feasibility study, engineering designs, budget with co-funding letters, environmental permits, Indigenous consultation documentation, and economic impact assessment. Stream 2 requires shovel-ready evidence (permits obtained, engineering complete).
4 Submit Full Application via NRCan Portal Submit complete application with all documentation through the secure NRCan Funding Portal. Applications assessed on first-come/first-ready basis. Only complete applications are reviewed.
5 Interdepartmental Assessment NRCan coordinates review across relevant federal departments, evaluating critical minerals impact, project feasibility, risks, and economic/environmental/Indigenous reconciliation benefits.
6 Funding Decision and Agreement Successful projects receive contribution agreement. For-profit entities typically receive conditionally repayable contributions; Indigenous-led and government applicants receive non-repayable contributions or grants.

Required Documents 7

✓ LOI via NRCan Funding Portal
✓ Full application
✓ Feasibility study and engineering designs
✓ Budget and co-funding letters
✓ Environmental permits
✓ Indigenous consultation documentation
✓ Economic impact assessment

Eligible Expenses 8

  • Site preparation and construction of clean energy and transportation infrastructure
  • Engineering design and professional services
  • Equipment and materials purchase for infrastructure deployment
  • Salaries and benefits for project personnel
  • Environmental assessment and permitting costs
  • Indigenous community consultation and engagement activities
  • Capacity-building activities supporting impacted communities
  • Rehabilitation or enhancement of existing infrastructure

Ineligible Expenses 5

  • Land acquisition costs
  • Litigation fees
  • General operating and maintenance expenses
  • Mining extraction equipment or mine development costs (program funds infrastructure TO the mine, not the mine itself)
  • Costs incurred before contribution agreement signing

Intake Periods

2023-24 call (first round). 2025-26 call: Stream 1 (Preconstruction) EOIs closed June 27, 2025; Stream 2 (Shovel-Ready) EOIs closed January 5, 2026, full applications accepted until March 4, 2026. Program runs to 2030 with future calls expected.

Deadline Notes

2025-26 Stream 2 deadline March 4, 2026 (passed). Program runs to 2030. Contact [email protected] for next intake.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Organizations proposing projects not linked to critical minerals on Canada's 31-mineral priority list
  • Projects lacking Indigenous consultation documentation
  • Organizations unable to demonstrate co-funding commitments
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Provincial Infrastructure Programs Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) CMIF Indigenous Grants Sub-Stream
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk
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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How CMIF Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about CMIF

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Can sole proprietors apply for CMIF?
No. Only legal entities (corporations, non-profits, governments, Indigenous organizations) qualify. Sole proprietors must incorporate to apply.
What's the typical award size?
$5M-$50M for standard projects. Indigenous/northern projects get 75% coverage (e.g., $10M project = $7.5M grant).
How long does approval take?
Applications reviewed within 6-12 months after deadline. Stream 2 applications must be shovel-ready (permits, engineering complete) to avoid delays.
Why do applications fail?
Projects not linked to critical minerals (e.g., not on Canada's 31-mineral list), or not shovel-ready (missing permits/engineering).
Do I need matching funds?
Yes, 50% co-funding required (75% for Indigenous projects). Provincial funding or private investment counts toward this.

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