Updated August 2026 · Verified against Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Active

OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Future Ready Program

Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Maximum Funding
Up to $10,000 m
Rolling basis; program status stated as open for applications.
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Future Ready Program provides Up to $10,000 maximum in reimbursement funds; SME must provide at least a 1:1 funding match. Reimburses up to $10,000 for Ontario-based SMEs in Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food, or Mining to upskill or reskill current employees in Critical Technologies. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

Reimburses up to $10,000 for Ontario-based SMEs in Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food, or Mining to upskill or reskill current employees in Critical Technologies.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Ontario-based SME with fewer than 500 global full-time employees
  • Registered operations in Ontario and valid CRA business number
  • Operating in one of four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food, or Mining
  • Training must upskill or reskill current employees in Critical Technologies (5G, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum, Robotics)
  • Must demonstrate genuine need for training and ability to implement and sustain new technologies
  • Project activities carried out in Ontario
  • SME must provide at least 1:1 matching funds
  • Funding is reimbursement-based after claim approval
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $10,000 maximum in reimbursement funds; SME must provide at least a 1:1 funding match.
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Rolling basis; program status stated as open for applications.

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Fut...

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How to Win

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Insider Tip

Pay the consultant or training provider first and submit a claim for reimbursement; line up your 1:1 match before starting and target one of the four named sectors.

Rejection Pitfalls 8

  • Not in one of the four CIT sectors
+7 more pitfalls
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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 Submit the OCI Company Intake Form Applications must be initiated in AccessOCI by an OCI Business Development Manager or CIT Sector Manager, so the intake form is the real starting point. Completing it does not constitute an application for funding.

Required Documents 8

OCI Company Intake Form
Company profile with a valid nine digit CRA business number, incorporation date and employee counts globally and in Ontario

Eligible Expenses 1

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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Compatible Programs

Industry partners Other OCI administered programs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Fut... Compares

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