NGen Advanced Manufacturing Technology Projects (Ongoing Program)

Insider Tip

The four strategic criteria (Collaborative, Transformative, Applied, Enduring) are evaluated holistically — projects that only partially address each score poorly. The 'Enduring' criterion (lasting legacy in skills, IP, or knowledge for Canadian manufacturing) is often underdeveloped. Write the Enduring section around specific IP ownership plans, workforce skill commitments, and plans to disseminate technology learnings to other Canadian manufacturers. Note the 3.5% non-refundable administration fee is due at contracting — budget for it. Subcontracting cannot exceed 40% of total project costs.

Rejection Pitfalls 8

• Fewer than 2 unassociated Canadian consortium partners
• No SME partner (fewer than 500 global employees) in the consortium
• Single partner receiving more than 70% of NGen's total reimbursement

Success Profile

Two or more Canadian manufacturers or technology companies (including at least one SME) with an established relationship, a defined advanced manufacturing challenge, a clear path to commercializing the results within 3–5 years, and the organizational capacity to manage a $1.5M–$8M collaborative project. Projects with IP ownership agreements in place before applying and named customer or market commitments for the outputs are strongest.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects are evaluated on four core criteria: (1) Collaborative — meaningful multi-partner engagement with shared benefit across the consortium; (2) Transformative — novel world-class capabilities that provide genuine competitive advantage to Canadian industry; (3) Applied — short-to-medium path to commercialization with clear market validation; (4) Enduring — lasting legacy in skills, IP, or knowledge benefiting Canada's broader manufacturing ecosystem. All four must be strongly addressed for a competitive application.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 5

• Salaries and wages for personnel in Canada directly involved in the project (including legally required employer contributions to benefits)
• Subcontracting and consulting fees for essential external work performed in Canada (maximum 40% of total project costs)
• Equipment acquisition directly linked to project objectives (max 20% of eligible costs for SME partners; max 10% for non-SME partners)
• Materials and supplies consumed during the project (not for subsidizing production)
• Product development, testing, and validation costs directly supporting project goals (max 15% of funding allocation)

Ineligible Expenses 8

• In-kind and non-cash costs
• Overhead and routine administrative costs not directly related to the project
• Senior leadership providing oversight (not directly executing project work)
• Equipment costs exceeding the 20%/10% caps (SME/non-SME respectively)
• Subcontracting beyond 40% of total project costs
• Costs incurred before the project agreement is signed
• Production costs and cost of goods sold
• 3.5% project administration fee is a non-eligible project cost (must be self-funded)

Intake Periods

Annual competitive rounds. 2025 round: Intake deadline August 20, 2025; Final application October 7, 2025. 2026 round expected mid-2026 — monitor ngen.ca for announcement.

Deadline Notes

The 2025 round: Project Intake Deadline August 20, 2025; Final Application Deadline October 7, 2025 at 5 PM EST; Project Completion Deadline January 31, 2028. Annual rounds historically — the 2026 intake is expected to open mid-2026. Monitor ngen.ca and sign up for NGen notifications. Contact [email protected] for intake timing updates.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Organizations not incorporated in Canada
• Foreign subsidiaries without value-added Canadian presence beyond a sales office
• Academic institutions (universities, colleges) unless as a non-lead consortium partner
• Federal government departments
• Single-partner applicants (consortia of 2+ required)
• Consortia without any SME partner (fewer than 500 global employees)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

Medium — NGen may recover contributions if project deliverables are not met, eligible expenses are not substantiated in quarterly claims, the consortium structure changes materially (partner withdrawal without NGen approval), or the 70% single-partner cap is breached during execution. IP obligations post-project must also be maintained.