Ontario Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC)

Insider Tip

Up to 15% of eligible project costs covered. Rural SME stream ($500K max) is less competitive than the strategic stream. Projects that clearly demonstrate productivity improvement metrics (units/hour, defect rates, energy consumption) score significantly better. Pair with NRC-IRAP advisory services to strengthen your technology adoption plan.

Success Profile

Established Ontario manufacturers (automotive parts, food processing, advanced materials) with 25+ employees investing in Industry 4.0 technologies — robotics, IoT sensors, AI-driven quality control, additive manufacturing. Companies that can clearly quantify productivity gains and job impacts.

Evaluation Criteria

Four primary dimensions: (1) Alignment with advanced manufacturing support goals — genuine technology adoption, not routine capital investment; (2) Job creation and workforce development — minimum 5 new jobs or demonstrable upskilling of current employees; (3) Economic benefits to Ontario — productivity improvement metrics, export growth, supply chain development; (4) Achievability — adequate financing (company must cover 85%+ of costs), qualified management, implementation experience. Applications with specific, quantified productivity improvement metrics (units/hour, defect rates, energy consumption) score significantly better than qualitative statements.

Application Steps

Required Documents 7

Eligible Expenses 13

• Construction and facility modifications or upgrades directly related to the project
• Site servicing and power service upgrades required for project execution
• New technology and high-performance equipment
• Maintenance equipment associated with new technologies or systems
• One-time setup and commissioning labour
• Specialized R&D labour (maximum 2 years)
• Direct salaries, wages, and employee benefits tied to project work
• Direct materials for project completion including testing and commissioning
• Prototype and training materials
• Third-party engineering, software development, and management services
• Skills training and training materials
• HR strategy development and recruitment assistance (with limits)
• Permits, inspections, and other fees directly attributable to the project

Ineligible Expenses 12

• Land or building purchases
• Vehicle purchase or lease
• Ongoing operational and production labour
• Materials for regular product production
• Marketing, sales, and distribution costs
• Debt service, taxes, and shareholder payments
• Travel and hospitality expenses
• Merger and acquisition costs
• Capital replacement without an innovation component
• Routine maintenance
• Refinancing of existing operations
• Projects involving primary production, retail, construction, personal services, consulting, electricity generation, waste management, or recycling

Intake Periods

Two intakes per year. Intake Seven: November 4, 2025 – February 3, 2026 (notification April 30, 2026). Intake Eight: June 30, 2026 – September 23, 2026 (notification December 17, 2026). Check ontario.ca for future intake announcements.

Deadline Notes

Intake-based program with periodic application windows. Next anticipated intake June 30 to September 23, 2026. Check Ontario.ca for confirmed dates as intakes are announced.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Companies with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees
• Companies with less than 3 years of operations or financial statements
• Companies not located in or planning to locate in Ontario
• Primary production businesses (mining, forestry, farming)
• Retail, construction, personal services, or consulting firms
• Electricity generation, waste management, or recycling operations
• Companies proposing Ontario-to-Ontario relocations for restructuring purposes
• Non-profit organizations
• Companies not in eligible advanced manufacturing sectors (aerospace, automotive, chemical, ICT, life sciences, steel)

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

High Risk