Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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)
Quick Assessment
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
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipThis 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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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
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
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskSee which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get. Unlock with Premium →
How CMIF Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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