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 sub-stream contributions (identified by "IP Assist" in agreement_title_en; disclosed across multiple IRAP prog_names — primarily "Contributions to Firms" but also plain IRAP and Contributions to Organizations). ETL must keyword-filter agreement_title_en across ALL IRAP prog_names. 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%
101 companies received this grant in 2025. See the 40 most recent — and how much each received. Get Premium — $39/mo
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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
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win IP Assist Program

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

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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.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

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

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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

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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
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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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