Program
Federal
Active
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) — administered by CEMI
Maximum Funding
Up to $500,000
MICA operator challenges open as of Jul 31, 2026: Diamond/Core Drill Rod and ...
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
30%
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) provides Up to $500,000. Supports the commercialization of innovative mining technologies by co-funding pilot demonstrations and commercialization projects in the mining sector. The program covers up to 30% of eligible costs. MICA operator challenges open as of Jul 31, 2026: Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube Handling (submissions close Oct 31, 2026) and Monte Carlo Simulation Planning (submissions close Oct 1, 2026). Tailings Dewatering closed Jul 31, 2026. The main CFP funding track is between rounds; next CFP TBD..
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Supports the commercialization of innovative mining technologies by co-funding pilot demonstrations and commercialization projects in the mining sector.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Canadian organization (company, industry consortium, or research institution) developing innovative mining technologies
- Projects must be focused on commercializing mining innovations, not pure research
- Consortium-based projects (multiple organizations collaborating) are preferred
- Must operate in or serve the Canadian mining sector
- Pilot demonstration or commercialization stage projects — not pre-commercial R&D
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
High
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $500,000
- Type
- Program
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 30% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- MICA operator challenges open as of Jul 31, 2026: Diamond/Core Drill Rod and Inner Tube Handling (submissions close Oct 31, 2026) and Monte Carlo Simulation Planning (submissions close Oct 1, 2026). Tailings Dewatering closed Jul 31, 2026. The main CFP funding track is between rounds; next CFP TBD.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win MICA
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 10 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 10-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 6-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipThree things most applicants miss: (1) MICA charges a 15% administration fee on the funding you receive — budget for this or your actual project funding will be lower than expected.
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Rejection Pitfalls 10
- Technology below TRL 6 — MICA funds commercialization/demonstration, not basic R&D
+9 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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10 reasons applications get rejected, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
10 docs
Application Steps
1
Contact Regional MICA Node Reach out to your regional MICA node (BRIMM in BC, InnoTech in AB, SaskPoly in SK, MaRS in ON, MISA in QC, CNA in NL) to discuss your project and get introductions to potential mining company partners for pilot demonstrations.
Required Documents 10
✓ Phase 1 application form (summary proposal via micanetwork.ca portal)
✓ Project description with technical objectives and methodology
Eligible Expenses 7
Ineligible Expenses 8
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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6 partners
Compatible Programs
SR&ED Tax Credits
NRC-IRAP
Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) — NRCan
Strategic Innovation Fund / Strategic Response Fund (ISED)
Provincial mining innovation programs (e.g., Ontario MNDM, BC Mining Innovation Hub)
Global Innovation Clusters (Canada's Digital Technology Supercluster, SCALE.AI)
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Medium Risk
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How MICA Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Innovation Commercialization A... | Up to $500,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | MICA operator challenges... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Minimum $10 million contribution | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Applications accepted... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
Related Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about MICA
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Can sole proprietors apply for MICA?
No — MICA requires applicants to be incorporated Canadian organizations (companies, consortia, or research institutions). Sole proprietors cannot apply directly.
What's the realistic project funding after fees?
For a $500K MICA award, the net project funding after 15% admin fee is ~$425K. The average across 70 projects was $458K before fees, so $425K net is typical.
Do I need a mining company partner for my pilot?
Yes — MICA requires a named mining company partner committed to hosting a pilot demonstration at an operating mine site. No partner = automatic rejection.
Can I stack MICA with SR&ED?
Yes — SR&ED can be claimed on the 70%+ of project costs not covered by MICA. Cannot claim SR&ED on MICA-funded portions. Strong fit for mining tech R&D.
When is the next MICA CFP?
CFP-4 closed April 4, 2025. Based on past cycles, next CFP likely opens Q1 2026. MICA runs discrete annual rounds — not continuous intake.
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Full Playbook: MICA
6 steps · 10 docs · reviewer insights