ISC Testing Stream (Innovative Solutions Canada)

Insider Tip

Unlike the Challenge Stream (which requires addressing a specific government challenge), the Testing Stream accepts any pre-commercial innovation ready for real-world testing. Provide technical details with quantifiable data — proposals with specific performance metrics outperform vague descriptions. Complete all form fields fully and use maximum word counts. Do not submit last-minute applications. Your innovation must be fully developed and testable in operational conditions — this is not for early-stage R&D. After successful testing, apply to the Pathway to Commercialization (within 12 months) for sole-source government procurement access.

Rejection Pitfalls 6

• Innovation already commercially available in the marketplace (must be pre-commercial)
• Solution not yet fully developed — still conceptual or laboratory-only (must be ready for real-world testing)
• No testing partner interest from government departments for the specific innovation

Success Profile

Innovators with a fully-developed pre-commercial technology ready for real-world operational testing. Not-for-profits, universities, and individuals are eligible (unlike Challenge Stream). Technologies in health, environment/clean tech, defence, and digital infrastructure are most frequently tested. The key differentiator from Challenge Stream: Testing Stream solutions are ready for testing NOW, not for early-stage R&D development.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals evaluated by federal department subject-matter experts on: technical merit and innovation definition (is it genuinely new or significantly improved?), quantifiable performance evidence, testing readiness (fully developed, not conceptual), IP ownership, and ability to support testing logistics. Funding availability and testing partner interest are also factors — not all proposals receive a match even if technically strong.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 5

• Labour costs for personnel supporting the testing contract
• Materials and supplies required for testing in the operational environment
• Equipment and tools required to conduct the test
• Travel and accommodation for testing at government facilities
• Overhead costs directly attributable to the testing contract

Ineligible Expenses 4

• R&D costs for developing the innovation (testing, not development, is the purpose)
• Marketing, sales, and general business development costs
• Costs incurred before the contract start date
• Capital purchases not directly required for the specific test

Intake Periods

Rolling — 2–3 open calls posted per year. No fixed annual cycle. Subscribe to ISC newsletter for notifications.

Deadline Notes

No fixed annual cycle. ISC Testing Stream posts open calls for proposals 2–3 times per year. Each call has a specific closing date and operational problem statement. Subscribe to the ISC newsletter immediately; calls are time-limited. Unlike the Challenge Stream, Testing Stream accepts near-market solutions not necessarily tied to a posted government challenge.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• No categorical exclusions — private companies, public companies, not-for-profits, universities, individuals, and international organizations may all apply
• Innovations that are already commercially available in the marketplace are ineligible (not the organization, but the innovation)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Contract-based program; clawback risk is low if the company delivers on the testing contract. Misrepresentation of IP ownership or innovation status could trigger contract termination and repayment.