NGen SME Feasibility Studies
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Most accessible NGen entry point — grants covering 50% of costs (up to $100K) for manufacturing SMEs to de-risk advanced manufacturing strategies. Unlike NGen's main programs, only needs one SME plus one partner (no large consortium). Studies run up to 9 months. Free NGen membership required.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least one Canadian SME (<500 employees)
- Partner org contributing 30%+ (cash or in-kind)
- All contributors must be NGen members (free)
- Focus on advanced manufacturing technology de-risking
- All costs incurred in Canada
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $100,000 (50% of eligible costs; project $50K-$200K)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Rolling intake — verify status at ngen.ca/funding/pilot-feasibility
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win NGen SME Feasibility Studies — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 5-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for NGen SME Feasibility Studies? 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
Insider TipFrame as Phase 1 of a larger NGen commercialization roadmap. Partner's 30% can be entirely in-kind (equipment access, expert time). Sub-contracting to universities/RTOs is encouraged.
Success Profile
SME manufacturer (10-250 employees) seeking to validate a specific advanced manufacturing technology (robotics, AI QC, additive) with a partner org. Clear milestones within 9 months.
Evaluation Criteria
Assessed on: (1) Clarity of advanced manufacturing opportunity and alignment with NGen mandate; (2) Expected economic and ecosystem benefits including business growth, job creation, and export potential; (3) Workplan quality with well-defined milestones, timelines, estimated costs, and risk management; (4) Partner engagement quality — 30%+ contribution (cash or in-kind); (5) Pathway to larger NGen project — feasibility study should de-risk a subsequent pilot or supercluster-scale project.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 5
Eligible Expenses 8
- Personnel costs (wages, salaries, contracts, mandatory employment costs) directly linked to study activities
- Equipment and facilities costs including purchase, rental, operation, maintenance, and materials
- Subcontractor fees for specialized expertise (universities, RTOs encouraged)
- Travel, meals, and accommodation per National Joint Council Travel Directive
- Market studies and technology assessments
- Dissemination and publication costs
- Service fees and subscription/license fees directly related to the study
- Patent protection costs for foreground intellectual property
Ineligible Expenses 8
- Alcohol, entertainment, gifts, donations, and honoraria
- Construction, purchase of buildings or land
- Life insurance premiums where proceeds accrue to the recipient
- Discretionary severance and separation packages
- Dues and memberships beyond regular trade/professional associations
- Project administration fees charged by NGen
- Costs incurred outside Canada (unless pre-approved)
- Retroactive costs incurred before contracting
Intake Periods
Rolling intake based on budget availability. No fixed deadlines — applications accepted continuously. Verify current status at ngen.ca/funding/pilot-feasibility or contact [email protected].
Deadline Notes
Rolling intake based on budget availability. Verify at ngen.ca/funding/pilot-feasibility or contact [email protected].
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Organizations that are not NGen members (free membership required)
- Companies without a partner organization contributing 30%+
- Non-Canadian organizations (all costs must be incurred in Canada)
- Projects where sub-contracting exceeds 70% of total costs
- Organizations conducting generic market surveys rather than project-specific feasibility
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskHow NGen SME Feasibility Studies Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGen SME Feasibility Studies | Up to $100,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Rolling intake — verify... |
| FedDev Ontario Funding | Varies | Hard | Reimbursement | Ongoing |
| Business Development Program (BDP) - ... | Varies (Repayable Contribution) | Moderate | Reimbursement | 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,... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about NGen SME Feasibility Studies