Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Advisory support and, for a subset of companies, R&D funding for Canadian SMEs developing defence and dual-use technologies that address Canadian Armed Forces capability needs — the relationship typically starts with advice, and working with an advisor does not guarantee funding. Delivered through the NRC IRAP network, DI Assist provides both funding and advisory services to help companies scale up, commercialize dual-use innovations, and connect to defence procurement pathways. Focus areas include cyber, space, advanced manufacturing, AI, and emerging defence technologies.
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian SME, incorporated, for-profit, operating in Canada
- Up to 500 full-time equivalent employees
- Developing innovative defence or dual-use technologies
- Technology must address Canadian Armed Forces capability needs
- Not a ULC, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship or cooperative — NRC IRAP excludes these corporate forms
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- No published programme maximum. DI Assist draws on the NRC IRAP contribution framework; documented awards reach $943,850 (Tungsten Collaborative, NRC defence annual report 2025-26). IRAP-wide contributions run higher, but no DI-Assist-specific ceiling is published.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Deadline
- Ongoing — rolling intake through IRAP ITA network
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipDI Assist is brand new (January 2026) with a large dedicated budget — this is the best time to apply before the pipeline fills up.
Rejection Pitfalls 6
- Technology lacks credible defence or dual-use application — civilian-only innovation should apply to core IRAP
Success Profile
Evaluation Criteria
Everything you need to win Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist)
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 6 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 10-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 8-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 10
Eligible Expenses 6
Ineligible Expenses 8
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist)