Updated June 2026 · Verified against National Research Council Canada guidelines
✨ New Program Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Est. 2025
Grant Federal Active

NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program

National Research Council Canada
Maximum Funding
$100,000–$500,000 typical; larger multi-year demonstrations may...
Ongoing
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
New Program
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
80%
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program provides up to $100,000–$500,000 typical; larger multi-year demonstrations may reach $1M+. Supports Canadian SMEs developing, demonstrating, and commercializing clean technologies. The program covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Approval odds: ~20–30% (GrantCompass analysis)

Compared with the 242 other application forms we have read

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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

103 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 103 awards since 2025. Typical award: $983.7K. Half of all awards fall between $478.2K and $2.23M. 100% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Semiconductor and electronic component, Custom computer programming, Drilling oil and gas wells. Top provinces: Ontario 35% · Quebec 20% · Alberta 19%. Covers: NRC IRAP Clean Technology stream contributions, separate from core IRAP firm funding. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.

The typical NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program award is $983.7K — the median of 103 awards since 2025. In 2025, 103 businesses were funded; 100% were for-profit companies.

103funded in 2025
$983.7Ktypical award
103awards since 2025
100%for-profit

Award size distribution. Half of awards fall between $478.2K and $2.23M, with a typical award of $983.7K.

Award sizes middle 50% of awards
$983.7K typical $2.23M
Top sectors Semiconductor and electronic componentCustom computer programmingDrilling oil and gas wells(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 35%QC 20%AB 19%

Named recipients

Recent recipients of the NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program include Friendlier (Guelph, ON, 2025), Spare (Vancouver, BC, 2025) and GH Power Inc. (Deep River, ON, 2025).

  1. 2025FriendlierGuelph, ON · Administrative and support
  2. 2025SpareVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  3. 2025GH Power Inc.Deep River, ON · Manufacturing
  4. 2025Genoptic LED Inc.Calgary, AB · Semiconductor and electronic component
  5. 2025RoutificVancouver, BC · Custom computer programming
  6. 2025CANN forecastMontreal, QC · Computer systems design services
  7. 2025Graphite Innovation and Technologies incDartmouth, NS
  8. 2025IRIS R&D Group Inc.Burlington, ON
  9. 2025SemiosVancouver, BC · R&D in natural sciences
  10. 2025Qeatech Inc.Markham, ON
Show 29 more recipients
  1. 2025Key DH Technologies IncCollingwood, ON
  2. 2025GHGSatMontreal, QC · Satellite telecommunications
  3. 2025Panevo Services LimitedVancouver, BC
  4. 2025Synergraze IncCalgary, AB
  5. 2025Symbient Environmental Technologies Inc.Mississauga, ON · Water, sewage and other systems
  6. 2025Nfinite Nanotechnology IncWaterloo, ON
  7. 2025Vive Crop Protection Inc.Mississauga, ON
  8. 2025Mariner Partners Inc.Saint John, NB
  9. 2025SaltworksRichmond, BC · Materials recovery facilities
  10. 2025Salient Energy Inc.Dartmouth, NS
  11. 2025Sollum Technologies Inc.Montreal, QC
  12. 2025Modern Wellbore Solutions LtdCalgary, AB · Drilling oil and gas wells
  13. 2025Hifi Engineering Inc.Calgary, AB
  14. 2025Swirltex Inc.Calgary, AB · Utilities
  15. 2025Technologies Intellinox inc.Quebec, QC · Machinery manufacturing
  16. 2025Excir Works CorpCalgary, AB
  17. 2025AdvEn Industries Inc.Edmonton, AB
  18. 2025Challenger Technical Services Ltd.Elk Point, AB · Drilling oil and gas wells
  19. 2025Environmental Material Science Inc.Saskatoon, SK
  20. 2025PyroGenesis Canada Inc.Montreal, QC
  21. 2025BioAlert Solutions inc.Sherbrooke, QC
  22. 2025Axine Water TechnologiesVancouver, BC
  23. 2025Béton Brunet LtéeSalaberry-De-Valleyfield, QC
  24. 2025Red Leaf PulpSaskatoon, SK · Manufacturing
  25. 2025Innord Inc.Boucherville, QC
  26. 2025Anaconda Systems LimitedVancouver, BC
  27. 2025Reazent Inc.Halifax, NS
  28. 2025Cascadia Seaweed Corp.Sidney, BC
  29. 2025Rayleigh Solar Tech IncHalifax, NS
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program winners →

What it actually funds

This program mostly pays for new physical products

53% of 83 awards to businesses since April 2023 went to developing a new physical product, and 22% to building software or a digital product.

Where the money went share of 83 awards

  • Developing a new physical product53% 44

    Projects of this kind typically received $799K since April 2023.

  • Building software or a digital product22% 18

    Projects of this kind typically received $1M since April 2023.

  • Building or expanding a facility14% 12
  • Scientific or lab research5% 4
  • Improving or automating operations5% 4
  • Other project types 1%services for other businesses or a community

67% of these projects created something new, rather than buying or expanding something that exists.

Where in a company’s journey it pays

Most staged projects here were at the test and prove it stage (36%).

  1. 0%Explore an idea
  2. 23%Build something new
  3. 36%Test and prove it
  4. 10%Launch it
  5. 10%Grow what works

The other 22% were not staged projects (hiring, advice, events) or did not say.

More about these projects

New, or more of what already works?

67% created something new1% bought or expanded something that already exists

The remaining 31% were a mix of both, or the description did not say.

  • 23%Leaves a physical asset behind
  • 16%Aimed at markets outside Canada
  • 88%Claims an environmental benefit

How we know: we read the government’s published description of each award; an AI classifier sorted them, and we hand-checked a sample (92% correct). Individual awards can be misfiled, so read the shares as approximate. 20 more awards had descriptions too vague to sort and are left out. Federal disclosure lists awards above $25,000 only. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Supports Canadian SMEs developing, demonstrating, and commercializing clean technologies. Provides funding for R&D and advisory services through Industrial Technology Advisors. Replaced SDTC (Sustainable Development Technology Canada) programming.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Canadian SME with 500 or fewer employees
  • Must be developing, demonstrating, or commercializing a clean technology solution
  • Must have a validated proof of concept (not pre-concept stage)
  • Must be incorporated in Canada
  • Must be willing to work with an NRC Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA)
  • Maximum of 500 full-time employees working in Canada
  • Paid full-time employees, other than the founders, that include both technical and business employees
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Clean Technology Technology Manufacturing
Business Stage
Startup Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
$100,000–$500,000 typical; larger multi-year demonstrations may reach $1M+
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 80% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
High
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Approval Rate
~20–30%
Accessibility
2/5

Difficult — significant preparation needed

Competition
4/5

High competition — many applicants

Difficulty
4/5

Complex — detailed documentation needed

Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

This program inherited SDTC's mandate but runs through the ITA network — meaning your first step is calling 1-877-994-4727 and building an ITA relationship, just like regular IRAP.

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

Rejection Pitfalls 10

  • Environmental benefit is vague or unquantified — must demonstrate specific, measurable, scalable impact (e.g., GHG tonnes reduced per year)
+9 more pitfalls
Premium See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours.

Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Premium All 10 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓

How National Research Council Canada judges your application

What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.

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ApplicationNo written form
Judged on8 criteria
Can reject you12 rules
To attach5 documents

Distilled from 6+ source documents on nrc.canada.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-11.

6 of the sources

What National Research Council Canada favours

Measurable, quantifiable environmental impacts from your technological innovation◦

“Measurable and quantifiable environmental impacts for their technological innovation”

2 more, in their words

The form

There is no application form, portal or template: the route is a call to NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727 or an existing industrial technology advisor.◦

Judged against4 questions · 8 criteria

  1. 1

    Is the technology real, new and proven?

    Show them State what is technically uncertain, then give the proof-of-concept result with the test data or pilot record that validated it.◦

    In the funder’s words · 3
    • The technical aspects of your innovation
    • The likelihood of achieving results
    • An innovative technology with a validated proof of concept
  2. 2

    Can you put a number on the benefit?

    What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium

  3. 3

    Who buys it, and how do you reach them?

    What to show, and the funder’s 3 criteria behind it in Premium

  4. 4

    Can this business carry the project?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

Where applicants failin National Research Council Canada’s words

“SMEs must meet all stated requirements to be eligible for consideration”
“While meeting these criteria is important, it does not guarantee funding.”

3 more, in the funder’s words

Premium · the rest of this brief

See all 12 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Premium opens every programme you match.

6 more rules that can reject you · 5 more criteria · 3 more pitfalls

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Do you pass?12 checks

Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.

Your business

  • For-profit, incorporated in Canada

    For-profit business incorporated in Canada

  • At most 500 Canada employees

    Maximum of 500 full-time employees working in Canada

  • Paid non-founder technical and business staff

    Paid full-time employees, other than the founders, that include both technical and business employees

The project

  • Developing clean tech for commercialization

    Developing new clean technologies for commercialization

  • Validated proof of concept

    An innovative technology with a validated proof of concept

  • Quantified environmental impacts

    Measurable and quantifiable environmental impacts for their technological innovation

6 more checks

1 thing this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.

Documents to attach5

Ticks are kept on this device.

The money

Payment windowWithin 35 business days

We issue payments within 35 business days of receiving all required documents and a correctly completed claim form.

What it pays for · 1
  • Supported costs can include the staff and materials needed to execute the project
What it does not pay for · 4
  • Day-to-day operating costs
  • Non-technical or purely commercial activities
  • Work done outside Canada
  • Research with limited potential for commercialization

From application to money

  1. Call NRC IRAPCall your IRAP advisor
  2. Meet an advisorAdvisor reviews your business information
  3. Build the proposal with your ITABuild proposal with your ITA
  4. Funding decisionDecision follows IRAP service standards
  5. Upfront funding if neededUpfront funding for specific needs
In the funder’s words · 5
Call NRC IRAP
Reach out to your industrial technology advisor or call us toll-free at 1-877-994-4727.
Meet an advisor
The CEA will review your business information and contact you to learn more about your operations and your goals.
Build the proposal with your ITA
They will further explore your business's vision, team and innovation potential, then offer targeted advice to help you achieve your innovation and R&D goals.
Funding decision
Decisions follow the IRAP-wide service standards, which are banded by contribution size and run from the point NRC has a complete proposal.
Upfront funding if needed
Upfront funding where specific needs exist

Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.

What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program

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

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Application Playbook

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

Premium 5 steps 10 docs

Application Steps

1 Contact NRC IRAP Call 1-877-994-4727 to reach an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA). Describe your cleantech innovation and its environmental benefit. The ITA will assess whether you're better suited for core IRAP or the cleantech stream.

Required Documents 10

✓ Certificate of Incorporation (Canada)
✓ CRA Business Number

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 7 partners

Compatible Programs

SR&ED Tax Credit (ID 4) Innovate BC / BC Fast Pilot Alberta Innovates Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) MITACS Accelerate/Elevate CanExport Innovation (ID 6) Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Investment Tax Credit
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.

How NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program $100,000–$500,000 Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing
Alberta Innovates Voucher Program Up to $100,000 Moderate Milestone-Based Between intakes — last...
OCI Critical Industrial Technologies ... Up to $1,000,000 Hard Reimbursement Challenge-based rolling...
Mitacs Accelerate $15,000 per internship unit Easy Advance Payment Ongoing
CanExport Innovation Up to $37,500 Moderate Reimbursement The 2026 intake window...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
No. Must be incorporated in Canada with 500 or fewer employees. Sole proprietors must incorporate before applying. Requires a commercialization partner with a signed LOI, not just a plan.
What's the realistic award size for first-time applicants?
$100,000–$500,000. BC Fast Pilot — a separate, B.C.-only Innovate BC program reached through an NRC IRAP ITA rather than a stack on this stream — funded successful projects at up to $200,000; the program is currently closed. Larger projects with strong partnerships may reach $500,000–$1,000,000.
Do I need a commercialization partner before applying?
No. NRC requires a path to commercialization, and says it 'may include working with other organizations even though a formal partnership is not required.' A named customer or partner strengthens the case but is not a condition of eligibility.
Why do most applications get rejected?
Vague environmental impact (e.g., 'reduces emissions' without tonnage), TRL below 5, or no commercialization partner. Must demonstrate specific, measurable benefits and have a validated proof of concept.
Can I stack with SR&ED?
Yes. IRAP-funded salary costs are excluded from SR&ED base, but other eligible R&D expenses generate credits. Combined federal support can offset 60%+ of project costs.

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