Critical Minerals R&D and Demonstration Program
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Supports research, development and demonstration projects in critical minerals mining, processing and recycling, aiming to advance critical mineral supply chains.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Canadian organization (company, research institution, or consortium)
- Project must focus on research, development, or demonstration related to critical minerals mining, processing, or recycling
- Must demonstrate relevance to advancing Canadian critical mineral supply chains
- Industry-led or collaborative projects involving industry partners preferred
- Must be able to contribute matching or cost-share funding
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $5,000,000 per project
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Between intakes — EOI pipeline open, directed intakes TBD
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 TipThe CMRDD is a relationship-driven program disguised as a competitive process. The EOI is your entry point, but NRCan uses it to build a pipeline — not to fund directly. To maximize chances: (1) Submit the EOI early and follow up with the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence, (2) Align your project with provincial critical minerals strategies — NRCan collaborates with provinces to identify projects, (3) Target one of the 6 priority minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, copper, REEs), (4) Demonstrate TRL 6+ with real bench-scale data — no paper concepts, (5) Include meaningful Indigenous engagement beyond tokenism — it is a scored criterion. The program extension to 2028 means new intake cycles are still possible even though Wave 2's proposal deadline has passed.
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Rejection Pitfalls 10
- Technology below TRL 6 — paper concepts, lab-only research, or pre-bench-scale work does not qualify for contribution funding
- Not targeting a priority critical mineral — projects outside the 19 eligible minerals are ineligible
- Unsolicited full proposal submitted without EOI/invitation — directed intake is invitation-only
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Success Profile
Canadian-incorporated mining technology company or mineral processing firm with a proven bench-scale or pilot-scale technology (TRL 6+) targeting one of the 6 priority critical minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, copper, REEs). Has existing relationships with NRCan or federal labs (CanmetMINING, CanmetMATERIALS). Project budget in the $1M-$5M range with 25-50% applicant co-investment secured. Strong Indigenous engagement plan and alignment with a provincial critical minerals strategy. Typical funded projects: E3 Lithium ($3.5M, DLE pilot in Alberta), Search Minerals ($5M, REE demonstration in BC), Geomega Resources ($3M, REE recycling in Quebec).
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Evaluation Criteria
Full proposals assessed on: (1) Technical merit and innovation — novelty of processing technology, TRL advancement plan, bench-scale evidence, (2) Critical mineral alignment — targeting one of 6 priority minerals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, copper, REEs), (3) Commercialization potential — route to market within 3-5 years, scalability, (4) Environmental and social impact — Indigenous engagement plan (scored criterion), environmental benefits, (5) Project management — team qualifications, budget realism, risk mitigation, (6) Alignment with provincial critical minerals strategies. Due diligence review assesses organizational capacity and financial viability.
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 15
Eligible Expenses 8
- Salaries and benefits for project personnel directly involved in R&D/demonstration activities
- Materials, supplies, and consumables for pilot/demonstration operations
- Subcontracts for specialized services (engineering, testing, analysis)
- Equipment rental or purchase essential for pilot plant operation
- Travel costs related to project execution (at NJC rates)
- Site preparation and modification costs for demonstration facilities
- Laboratory testing and analytical services
- Environmental assessment and permitting costs directly related to the project
Ineligible Expenses 6
- Mining operations, drilling, and exploration activities
- Downstream manufacturing (battery cell assembly, magnet production)
- Capital expenditures for permanent construction or building renovation
- Environmental waste characterization not directly tied to the project
- Legal fees related to litigation
- Overhead exceeding 15% of eligible expenditures
Intake Periods
Continuous EOI submission via NRCan applicant portal (pipeline-building model). Wave 2 had a specific full-proposal deadline of September 29, 2023 (closed). New directed intakes may be issued as budget permits through the program's extension to March 31, 2028. Monitor NRCan announcements and maintain contact with the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence.
Deadline Notes
The CMRDD operates on a continuous Expression of Interest (EOI) model rather than fixed application windows. EOIs are submitted through the NRCan applicant portal at any time and are used to build a pipeline of projects. Wave 2 contribution funding had a specific full-proposal deadline of September 29, 2023 (now closed), but the EOI process remains open. New calls for proposals may be issued as budget permits. The program has been extended from March 2027 to March 31, 2028. All funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Foreign entities not incorporated in Canada
- Organizations unable to demonstrate 25% co-investment for contribution funding
- Companies focused on downstream manufacturing rather than minerals processing/extraction technology
- Organizations whose projects target non-critical minerals (outside the 31 minerals on Canada's Critical Minerals List)
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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Clawback Risk
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