Updated August 2026 · Verified against NRC IRAP (National Research Council) guidelines
▲ Growing ✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2021
Program Federal Active

IP Assist Program

NRC IRAP (National Research Council)
Maximum Funding
Free (Level 1 advisory) to $50,000 (Levels 2 + 3 combined:...
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
80%
IP Assist Program provides up to Free (Level 1 advisory) to $50,000 (Levels 2 + 3 combined: $20,000 + $30,000). Provides free intellectual property awareness sessions, funded IP strategy development (up to $20,000), and funded IP strategy execution (up to $30,000) to Canadian SMEs through NRC IRAP's three-level progressive system. The program covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

101 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 941 awards since 2021. Typical award: $15.8K. Half of all awards fall between $10K and $22.7K. The advertised maximum is $50K — most awards land closer to $15.8K. 97% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Custom computer programming, Computer systems design services, Automatic environment control mfg. Top provinces: Ontario 36% · Quebec 26% · British Columbia 17%. Covers: NRC IRAP IP Assist contributions to firms. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.

The typical IP Assist Program award is $15.8K — the median of 941 awards since 2021, even though the program advertises up to $50K. In 2025, 101 businesses were funded; 97% were for-profit companies.

101funded in 2025
$15.8Ktypical award
941awards since 2021
97%for-profit

Most awards fall between $10K and $22.7K, with a typical (median) award of $15.8K. The program funds up to $50K for the largest projects — about 3.2 times the typical award.

Where awards land
typical $15.8K $10K $22.7K
up to $50K

Most awards land between $10K and $22.7K, with a typical award of $15.8K — and this program funds up to $50K for the largest projects.

Top sectors Custom computer programmingComputer systems design servicesAutomatic environment control mfg(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 36%QC 26%BC 17%

Named recipients

Recent recipients of the IP Assist Program include SDP info web (Brossard, QC, 2026), Ados en action (Saguenay, QC, 2025) and Technologies Airy3D (Montreal, QC, 2025).

  1. 2026SDP info webBrossard, QC · Computer systems design
  2. 2025Ados en actionSaguenay, QC · Custom computer programming
  3. 2025Technologies Airy3DMontreal, QC · Software publishers
  4. 2025Jones Microwave Inc.Edmonton, AB · Telecommunications
  5. 2025Haibu Health Ltd.Vancouver, BC · Computer systems design services
  6. 2025RankWorks MediaPointe-Claire, QC · Custom computer programming
  7. 2025ONSITE Remediation Solutions LtdCalgary, AB · Waste management services
  8. 2025Partage Club Inc.Saint-Lambert, QC · Custom computer programming
  9. 2025Synetik Ergocare / Synetik ErgodesignJoliette, QC · Fabricated metal products
  10. 2025CoPilotWinnipeg, MB · Information and cultural industries
Show 29 more recipients
  1. 2025ALT-PRO AdvantageToronto, ON · Food manufacturing
  2. 2025Moneylab Technologies Inc.Vancouver, BC · Computer systems design
  3. 2025La Brasserie Nonsuch Brewing Co. Ltd.Winnipeg, MB · Beverage and tobacco mfg
  4. 2025EN Solutions HydroSaint-Philippe, QC · Data processing and hosting
  5. 2025Technologies Juno Inc.Montreal, QC · Medical equipment manufacturing
  6. 2025Sherwood InnovationsToronto, ON · Transportation equipment mfg
  7. 2025Statvis Analytics Inc.Edmonton, AB · Professional, scientific, technical
  8. 2025mode40Steinbach, MB · Software publishers
  9. 2025NirvanicVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  10. 2025HMT Technologies Inc.Mississauga, ON · Waste management services
  11. 2025PulsenicsToronto, ON · Semiconductor and electronic component
  12. 2025DiscoveryGarden Inc.Charlottetown, PE · Computer systems design services
  13. 2025Fern & PetalPort Coquitlam, BC · Soybean processing
  14. 2025TaivWinnipeg, MB · Computer and electronic products
  15. 2025Maximizer CRMVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  16. 2025Sugar BlossomWinnipeg, MB · Miscellaneous manufacturing
  17. 2025Kardio Diagnostix Inc.Middle Sackville, NS · R&D in natural sciences
  18. 2025StandardFusionVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  19. 2025Professional Mine Water Action PlanBurnaby, BC · Water, sewage and other systems
  20. 2025RPS Biologiques Inc.Charlottetown, PE · Chemical manufacturing
  21. 2025ASL InnovationsSt. John's, NL · Professional, scientific, technical
  22. 2025EyeCareXVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  23. 2025EnviroByte Inc.Calgary, AB · Religious, civic, professional org
  24. 2025Artha Learning Inc.Missisauga, ON · Educational services
  25. 2025Edgecom EnergyNorth York, ON · Data processing and hosting
  26. 2025Hoffmann's Fine Foods Ltd.Winnipeg, MB · Meat product manufacturing
  27. 2025NovaResp Technologies Inc.Halifax, NS · Automatic environment control mfg
  28. 2025Larus TechnologiesOttawa, ON · Custom computer programming
  29. 2025Invest OttawaOttawa, ON · Business associations
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all IP Assist Program winners →

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Provides free intellectual property awareness sessions, funded IP strategy development (up to $20,000), and funded IP strategy execution (up to $30,000) to Canadian SMEs through NRC IRAP's three-level progressive system. Level 1 connects businesses with qualified IP professionals for one-on-one sessions. Level 2 funds a qualified IP lawyer or agent to develop a comprehensive IP strategy. Level 3 funds execution of prioritized actions from that strategy, including IP audits, landscape analysis, and trademark clearance searches. Does not cover patent or trademark filing/prosecution fees.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Canadian SME with 500 or fewer employees
  • Incorporated and profit-oriented
  • Pursuing growth through development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven products or services
  • Must be an NRC IRAP client or willing to become one through the onboarding process
  • Must have identifiable IP assets or genuine need for IP strategy development
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Free (Level 1 advisory) to $50,000 (Levels 2 + 3 combined: $20,000 + $30,000)
Type
Program
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 80% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
4/5

Accessible — straightforward requirements

Competition
2/5

Below average competition

Difficulty
2/5

Easy — minimal documentation

Approval Rate
Processing Time
Budget Trend
Premium See your real odds, processing time and budget trend for this program — and exactly what it takes to win it.

How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

The critical gateway is qualifying as an NRC IRAP client — your business must have a genuine technology innovation component, not just a software tool or service business.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win IP Assist Program

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Application Playbook

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

Premium 6 steps 7 docs

Application Steps

1 Contact NRC IRAP toll-free at 1-877-994-4727 or through Contact NRC IRAP toll-free at 1-877-994-4727 or through your existing Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA)

Required Documents 7

✓ Basic business information and incorporation documents
✓ Brief description of innovation or technology being commercialized

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 7

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 5 partners

Compatible Programs

SR&ED Tax Credit NRC IRAP Financial Assistance (main R&D grants) ElevateIP (ID 139) Innovation Asset Collective Provincial IP programs (Ontario, Quebec, BC)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.

How IP Assist Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
IP Assist Program Free (Level 1 advisory) to $50,000... Easy Reimbursement Ongoing
ElevateIP Program Up to $100,000 Easy Varies Open - apply through...
Patent Collective Program — Innovatio... Up to $20,000 Easy Lump Sum Ongoing (rolling...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about IP Assist Program

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
No. Must be incorporated and profit-oriented. Non-profits, sole proprietors, and academic institutions are ineligible.
What's the realistic max award?
Combined Level 2 ($20k) + Level 3 ($30k) = $50k total. Most SMEs receive $15k-$40k across both levels, not the full $50k.
When are decisions made?
Rolling intake year-round. Contact NRC IRAP before April 1 each fiscal year to align with budget cycles. Decisions typically within 30 days of submission.
Do I need to be an IRAP client first?
Yes. Must be an NRC IRAP client or willing to become one through onboarding. Technology innovation component required — pure service businesses without IP are ineligible.
What's excluded from funding?
Patent/trademark filing/prosecution fees. IP Assist covers strategy development and execution (audits, landscape analysis), not drafting or prosecution.

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