Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) — Multi-Region
Can you win this grant?
Get your instant eligibility verdict plus a head start on the application. Free, no account needed.
Takes about 20 seconds. We use this grant’s real eligibility rules.
Who actually receives this funding
27 businesses received this funding in 2025 — 64 recipients since 2025. Typical award: $1.23M. Half of all awards fall between $573.4K and $4.43M. 66% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Technical and trade schools, Search, detection and navigation instruments, Management consulting. Top provinces: Quebec 38% · Ontario 20% · Nova Scotia 19%. Covers: National RDII — all RDA versions of the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, covering Quebec (CED), Atlantic (ACOA), Ontario (FedDev), Northern Ontario (FedNor), and North (CanNor). PacifiCan and PrairiesCan confirmed absent from disclosure (not found in their inventories). Total ~64 rows across 5 RDAs. Program is new (2025) so row counts are low. Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q2 2026.
Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
A $357.7M national program delivered through Canada's seven regional development agencies to advance SME entry into the defence and dual-use supply chain through technology adoption, facility modernization, supply chain certification, and market development. Repayable for commercial applicants; non-repayable for non-profits. Note: this is the national multi-RDA umbrella entry; the CanNor-administered Northern Canada stream is listed separately — apply through only the single RDA that serves your region to avoid duplicate applications.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit SME incorporated and operating in Canada, registered for at least 3 years
- Minimum 5 full-time equivalent employees in the region
- Active or seeking entry into the defence/dual-use supply chain
- Project demonstrates how it contributes to Canada's defence industrial base supporting military purposes
- Eligible activities must occur between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2028
- Non-profit organizations that support SMEs in the defence sector may apply for non-repayable funding
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to 75% of eligible costs for SMEs (repayable); up to 90% for non-profits (non-repayable)
- Type
- Forgivable Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- March 31, 2028 (varies by region; Southern Ontario intake paused as of May 2026; BC open to 2028)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win RDII — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for RDII? Most founders end up needing more than one template — grab the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27 vs separate) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipEach RDA has its own intake window and application form — contact your regional RDA first before preparing documents. Emphasize concrete links to NATO, DND procurement needs, or allied country supply chains; generic 'dual-use' claims without a named defence customer or contract pipeline are typically deprioritized. SME contributions are repayable, so treat this as low-interest bridge financing rather than a grant.
Rejection Pitfalls 5
- Insufficient or vague demonstration of defence nexus — project must clearly link to DND, NATO, or allied forces needs
- Project costs incurred before April 1, 2025 (pre-eligibility date)
- Regular operating or maintenance costs disguised as project costs
Success Profile
Established Canadian manufacturer or technology firm with 5+ employees seeking to enter or grow within the defence supply chain — e.g. a precision machining shop pursuing AS9100 aerospace certification, a sensor company adapting technology for DND, or an AI firm developing dual-use situational awareness tools.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are assessed on: (1) defence nexus — clear contribution to Canada's defence industrial base supporting DND, NATO, or allied forces; (2) alignment with Canada's 2% GDP NATO commitment; (3) regional economic benefit; (4) project feasibility, budget reasonableness, and business capacity to execute; (5) innovation and technology readiness of the proposed activities. No published point weights — RDA advisors exercise discretion.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 7
Eligible Expenses 6
- Digitization, automation, and technology integration investments
- Market diagnostics, commercialization strategies, and market expansion activities
- Defence supply chain certification preparation and acquisition costs
- Equipment acquisition and facility modernization or expansion
- Adaptation, adoption, development, or improvement of dual-use technologies
- Late-stage R&D with clear defence application
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Regular maintenance and ongoing operating costs
- Routine scheduled capital expenditures and asset replacement
- Project costs incurred before April 1, 2025
- Non-incremental labour (wages and benefits) not directly tied to project activities
- Lobbying, entertainment, or general administrative overhead
Intake Periods
Rolling by region. Southern Ontario: intake paused May 2026 pending new allocation. BC (PacifiCan): open February 2026 through March 2028. Atlantic, Quebec, Prairies, FedNor, CanNor: contact regional RDA for current status. Program ends March 31, 2028.
Deadline Notes
Three-year program (eligible activities April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028). Southern Ontario intake paused May 1, 2026. BC (PacifiCan) open for 2026-2028 projects. Atlantic (ACOA), Quebec (CED-Q), Prairies, FedNor, CanNor intakes vary — check your regional RDA. SMEs must demonstrate how their project meets current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, or allied countries.
Ineligible Organizations
- Large enterprises with more than 500 employees (program targets SMEs)
- Federal, provincial, or municipal government bodies
- Government-owned corporations and Crown entities
- Foreign-controlled entities without genuine Canadian operational presence
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Medium RiskCommercial SMEs receive repayable contributions — failure to meet project milestones or misuse of funds can result in accelerated repayment demands. Repayment schedule is set in the contribution agreement. Non-profits with non-repayable funding face clawback only if project outcomes are not achieved or funds are misused.
How RDII Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Defence Investment Initiativ... | Up to 75% of eligible costs for SMEs | Hard | Reimbursement | March 31, 2028 (varies... |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Up to $50 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about RDII