Updated March 2026 · Verified against New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2014
Grant Provincial Active

NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund

New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF)
Maximum Funding
Up to $80,000
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
80%
NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund provides Up to $80,000 (80% of costs; projects $10K-$100K). Up to $80,000 (80% of project costs for projects between $10K-$100K) for New Brunswick SMEs partnering with research organizations on innovation projects. The program covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. (As of March 2026, verified against New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Up to $80,000 (80% of project costs for projects between $10K-$100K) for New Brunswick SMEs partnering with research organizations on innovation projects. Supports R&D, product development, and technology adoption through collaborative research partnerships.

Eligibility Requirements

  • New Brunswick-incorporated SME
  • Fewer than 500 employees
  • Operating for 24+ months
  • Must partner with a recognized research organization
  • Project costs between $10,000 and $100,000
Provinces
New Brunswick
Industries
Technology Manufacturing Clean Technology Innovation
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
10h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $80,000 (80% of costs; projects $10K-$100K)
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 80% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~10 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund — $19

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

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
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Applying for NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →

How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

NBIF has strong relationships with UNB, UdeM, and other NB research institutions. Contact NBIF before applying — they can help match you with the right research partner if you don't already have one. The 80% funding rate is among the most generous innovation voucher programs in Canada.

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

Success Profile

NB SMEs with a specific technical challenge that a research partner can help solve — new product testing, prototype development, process optimization, or technology feasibility studies. Companies that have identified a clear research question and a willing research partner before applying.

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Strength of the innovation (genuine R&D vs. routine development); credibility and capability of the research partner; clarity of the business case and market opportunity; expected economic impact in New Brunswick; feasibility of the project plan and timeline.

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Don’t waste 10 hours on a preventable rejection
Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program. Start with the $19 Playbook first.
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Application Playbook

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

Premium 8 steps 6 docs

Application Steps

1 Identify a technical challenge suitable for collaborative research with a university or research institute
2 Contact a recognized NB research organization (UNB, UdeM, CCNB, NBCC, or NRC) to establish a research partnership — NBIF can help facilitate introductions
3 Review program guidelines at nbif.ca/innovation-voucher-fund
4 Prepare project proposal covering company background, innovation description, development status, team, business benefits, competitive landscape, timeline, and NB economic impact
5 Submit proposal electronically via the NBIF portal at nbif-finb.smapply.io
6 Await NBIF review and approval (approximately 4–6 weeks)
7 Execute funding agreement; research partner begins work
8 Submit progress report within 2 months of completion; final impact report at 1 year

Required Documents 6

✓ Application form
✓ Project plan with clear innovation objectives
✓ Research partnership agreement or letter of intent
✓ Budget breakdown ($10K-$100K range)
✓ Company financial information
✓ Certificate of incorporation in New Brunswick

Eligible Expenses 5

  • Applied research and proof-of-concept studies
  • Prototyping and product testing
  • Technology demonstrations and feasibility evaluations
  • Certifications and third-party evaluations
  • Engineering and technical advisory services from recognized research organizations

Ineligible Expenses 7

  • Administrative and overhead fees
  • In-house personnel time (company staff salaries)
  • Sales and marketing activities
  • Training courses and professional development
  • Software and equipment purchases
  • Routine professional services (accounting, legal, tax preparation)
  • Routine maintenance and operational activities

Intake Periods

Ongoing — applications accepted on a continuous rolling basis via the NBIF portal.

Deadline Notes

Applications accepted on a continuous basis. Processing times may vary based on volume.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Companies incorporated outside New Brunswick
  • Companies operating fewer than 24 months
  • Companies with 500 or more employees
  • Companies without a genuine research partner (consultant-only arrangements do not qualify)
  • Organizations already holding 2 concurrent active vouchers
Premium Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 3 partners

Compatible Programs

NRC-IRAP Mitacs ACOA — Business Development Program (BDP)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
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See your total funding potential across 3 programs
Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
One avoided clawback typically outweighs the $19 Playbook cost by 50–100×.
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How NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund Up to $80,000 Easy Reimbursement Ongoing
Mitacs Accelerate $15,000 per internship unit Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Up to $50 million Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Next deadline: May 29,...
Innovative Solutions Canada up to $150,000 Hard Milestone-Based Challenge-specific — new...

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

Free
Grant

Ocean Supercluster

Up to $5 million · Federal
 Program

Digital Technology Supercluster

Up to $5 million · Federal
 Tax Credit

Ontario Innovation Tax Credit

Up to 8% tax credit · Provincial

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about NBIF Innovation Voucher Fund

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
No — must be incorporated as a New Brunswick business with 24+ months of operation. Sole proprietors are ineligible for this grant.
What's the typical award amount?
$30,000-$60,000 (80% of project costs between $10K-$100K). The $80K max is rarely achieved — most projects fall in the $30K-$60K range.
Do I need a research partner before applying?
Yes — must have a signed agreement with a recognized research organization (e.g., UNB, NB research institutes) before submitting. NBIF can help match you if needed.
How long does it take to get paid?
Reimbursement after project completion and submission of receipts. Processing time averages 4-6 weeks post-submission.
Why do applications fail?
Most fail due to lacking a genuine research partnership (not just a consultant), projects being routine business activities, or project costs outside $10K-$100K.

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