Comprehensive guide to 65 r&d & innovation funding programs in Manitoba
Businesses in Manitoba can access 65 specialized r&d & innovation programs combining federal and provincial funding. Manitoba has a provincial R&D tax credit that stacks with federal SR&ED, plus Research Manitoba as the primary provincial research funder and PrairiesCan as the federal regional development agency for prairie innovation projects.
| Credit layer | Rate | Refundable? | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal SR&ED (CCPC enhanced) | 35% on first $6M qualifying expenditures | Yes (CCPC) | CCPCs under taxable capital threshold |
| Manitoba R&D credit (refundable) | 15% on MB-sourced qualifying expenditures | Yes (eligible corps) | Eligible Manitoba CCPCs |
| Manitoba R&D credit (basic) | 20% non-refundable | No | All Manitoba corporations |
| Combined (CCPC refundable) | Up to ~50% effective recovery | Both refundable | CCPC with qualifying MB R&D activities |
| Program | Max Amount | Application Type | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Manitoba | Varies by program stream | Competitive (annual calls) | Applied research, translational, commercialization |
| PrairiesCan RSTP / Innovation Ecosystem | Varies by project | Non-competitive (case-by-case) | Regional innovation, cluster building, scale-up |
| NRC IRAP | Up to $1M+ (larger for growth) | ITA engagement → project application | SME commercialization R&D |
| MIOP (Manitoba Industrial Opportunities) | Up to $5M | Application to Manitoba government | Business expansion incl. innovation capital |
You're in a strong position to access non-dilutive funding through the SR&ED + Manitoba R&D credit stack. The Manitoba refundable 15% credit means your company receives provincial cash refunds even with no provincial tax payable — a meaningful source of runway extension capital. Combined with federal SR&ED at 35% refundable for CCPCs, the effective combined recovery on qualifying Manitoba R&D wages approaches 50%.
Beyond the credit stack, the Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) in Winnipeg is the province's primary commercialization support organization — it provides advisory services, workspace, and connections to early-stage entrepreneurs. Research Manitoba's Technology Commercialization Program stream is specifically designed for translational research and pre-commercial technology development, with competitive intakes. Mitacs Accelerate provides $15K–$30K per graduate student internship, relevant if you have a connection to University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, or Manitoba's college network.
Recommended stack: SR&ED + Manitoba 15% refundable credit (annual) → Research Manitoba (competitive application) → Mitacs Accelerate (per-intern engagement) → Manitoba Technology Accelerator (advisory) → NRC IRAP for commercialization-stage matching grants.
Manitoba is one of Canada's premier agri-food R&D provinces. The combination of its agricultural land base, University of Manitoba's agriculture and food science programs, and direct access to Protein Industries Canada Supercluster funding makes it a distinctive environment for agri-food innovation. Protein Industries Canada co-invests in projects to grow Canada's plant-based protein and value-added agri-food sector — Manitoba agri-food companies are directly in scope.
AgriInnovate Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, up to $10M) supports commercialization of agri-food innovations. Research Manitoba funds agri-science innovation through its applied research streams. The Manitoba Industrial Innovation Partnership connects industry with post-secondary partners including the University of Manitoba's Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals (Winnipeg) and the Prairie Research Kitchen (Brandon). The SR&ED + Manitoba credit stack applies fully to qualified agri-food R&D — precision fermentation, novel processing methods, and digital agriculture tools regularly qualify.
Regional concentration: Portage la Prairie and the Interlake region for field crop innovation, Morden and Winkler (Rhineland) for food processing, Brandon and the Westman region for agri-food commercialization. PrairiesCan's Winnipeg office delivers federal agri-food innovation support across Manitoba.
University of Manitoba is Manitoba's primary research university, with particular strengths in agriculture, engineering, computer science, health sciences, and natural resources. A confirmed academic partner at U of M or another Manitoba post-secondary opens access to NSERC Alliance (up to $1M/year), Mitacs Accelerate and Elevate (graduate intern and postdoctoral partnerships), and Research Manitoba's industry-partnered research streams. Your cash contribution to an NSERC Alliance project is simultaneously SR&ED-eligible — effectively leveraging the same investment twice.
Manitoba's college system (RRC Polytech in Winnipeg, Assiniboine Community College in Brandon) also supports applied research partnerships through the College and Community Social Innovation Fund. For companies near the Pinawa area, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (formerly AECL) represents a unique potential research partnership for nuclear and materials science R&D.
Established manufacturers are often the strongest SR&ED claimants — continuous R&D on process improvement, product development, and material modification regularly qualifies. Budget 2025's restoration of capital expenditure eligibility for SR&ED is particularly significant for manufacturers who invest in R&D-dedicated equipment. The Manitoba R&D credit (15% refundable or 20% non-refundable) applies to the same eligible capital. The Manitoba Industrial Opportunities Program (MIOP, up to $5M) supports business expansion including innovation capital investments, and is particularly relevant for manufacturers scaling up R&D-derived process improvements.
For larger-scale innovation capital projects ($1M+), PrairiesCan's Business Scale-Up and Productivity program provides non-repayable contributions. The Canada-Manitoba Job Grant supports R&D workforce training, which can offset the human capital costs of scaling up an R&D team. Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator is relevant for Manitoba mining sector companies (Thompson, Flin Flon, The Pas) pursuing mineral processing and materials innovation R&D.
| Stream | Focus | Industry Role | Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Commercialization | Translational research → market | Industry partner provides cash contribution | Competitive, annual |
| Innovation Grants | Applied research with economic impact | May be industry-led or academic-led | Annual competitive |
| Manitoba Industrial Innovation Partnership | Post-secondary + industry R&D projects | Industry co-leads with academic partner | Competitive |
1. Federal SR&ED: Budget 2025 raised the qualifying expenditure limit directly from $3M to $6M — no intermediate step: Budget 2025 raised the CCPC enhanced rate SR&ED expenditure limit directly from $3 million to $6 million per year, and restored capital expenditure eligibility. The maximum enhanced CCPC credit increased to $2.1 million per year — not $1.4M, which was the maximum under the old $3M limit. For Manitoba companies whose qualifying R&D expenditures previously exceeded $3M, this opens up significant additional refundable credit capacity. The Manitoba provincial credit applies to the same expanded expenditure base, providing additional provincial recovery on the incremental amounts.
Source: Budget 2025, Chapter 3; CRA SR&ED program guidance2. Research Manitoba Strategic Plan 2024–2029 rollout: Research Manitoba's 2024–2029 strategic plan sets priorities for provincial research investment through the end of the decade. The plan emphasizes translational research with economic impact, industry partnerships, and support for early-career researchers in sectors aligned with Manitoba's economic strengths: agriculture, health, natural resources, and technology. New program streams or priority areas may emerge from this plan — monitor researchmb.ca for calls aligned with the strategic plan priorities. For industry-partnered projects, aligning your application with Research Manitoba's strategic priorities (economic impact, commercialization pathway, Manitoba-based jobs) strengthens the proposal.
Source: Research Manitoba, Strategic Plan 2024–2029, researchmb.ca3. PrairiesCan tariff-response programs (2025): PrairiesCan announced tariff-response programming in 2025 to support Prairie businesses affected by trade disruptions. Manitoba companies in trade-exposed sectors — manufacturing, agri-food, natural resources — may be eligible for PrairiesCan contributions supporting supply chain diversification, export market development, and productivity investment to offset tariff impacts. The innovation dimension of these programs can include R&D activities. Contact PrairiesCan's Winnipeg office for current program parameters, as details were subject to ongoing refinement as of early 2026.
Source: PrairiesCan program announcements 2025; canada.ca/prairies-economic-developmentPrairiesCan (Prairies Economic Development Canada) operates from Winnipeg and delivers federal innovation, productivity, and trade programming across Manitoba. Research Manitoba is headquartered in Winnipeg and provides the primary provincial research funding, with coverage spanning Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson, Steinbach, and rural Manitoba. NRC IRAP's Manitoba ITA (Industrial Technology Advisor) is based in Winnipeg and serves companies across the province including Brandon, Portage la Prairie, and Steinbach. Manitoba Technology Accelerator (MTA) operates from Winnipeg's Innovation Alley district and connects early-stage companies to capital, mentorship, and post-secondary partners. University of Manitoba's Smartpark Research and Technology Park in Winnipeg anchors the city's technology commercialization ecosystem. RRC Polytech in Winnipeg's Exchange District and North Winnipeg campuses provides applied research and skilled trades training relevant to manufacturing R&D. University of Winnipeg's urban innovation programs focus on digital technology and social innovation. Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College (Brandon) serve the Westman region's agri-food and rural technology needs. Gimli and the Interlake region anchor fisheries and Lake Winnipeg-adjacent R&D activities, including freshwater science. Steinbach, Winkler, Morden, and the Rhineland Mennonite community are strong manufacturing and agricultural innovation hubs. Portage la Prairie and Carman serve the central agricultural corridor. Dauphin and Neepawa represent western Manitoba's agricultural R&D capacity. Thompson, Flin Flon, and The Pas serve the northern mining and resources sector, with connection to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) research activities historically based near Pinawa (AECL). Churchill is home to Arctic research and the Churchill Marine Observatory (University of Manitoba). Selkirk and Beausejour serve the Interlake's agriculture and manufacturing activities. Altona serves southern Manitoba's food processing cluster. Stonewall is emerging as a suburban Winnipeg technology corridor. Neepawa anchors hog processing and agri-tech innovation in central Manitoba. Carman serves the south-central agricultural research corridor. The Pinawa AECL-adjacent research community has historically been a source of materials science and nuclear technology innovation unique to Manitoba.
Source: PrairiesCan regional office; Research Manitoba program delivery; MTA program information; University of Manitoba research office| Sector | Primary Programs | Key Delivery Organizations |
|---|---|---|
| AgriTech / food innovation | Protein Industries Canada, AgriInnovate, SR&ED + MB credit | Protein Industries Canada, AAFC, CRA + MB Finance |
| Technology startup | SR&ED + MB credit, Research MB, IRAP, Mitacs | CRA, Research MB, NRC, Mitacs, MTA |
| Manufacturing R&D | SR&ED + MB credit, MIOP, PrairiesCan, IRAP | CRA, MB Economy, PrairiesCan, NRC |
| Mining / resources | Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator, SR&ED | Sector accelerator, CRA |
| Health / life sciences | CIHR industry partnered, Research MB, Mitacs | CIHR, Research MB, Mitacs, U of M |
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $50 million
Supports large-scale, transformative and collaborative projects between industry, researchers and non-profit organizations that help grow Canada's economy.
Organization: National Research Council Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1 million
Provides advice, connections and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market.
Organization: Canada Revenue Agency
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 68% tax credit
Federal tax incentive program that encourages Canadian businesses to conduct research and development in Canada.
Organization: Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Supports the development and demonstration of clean technology solutions that address climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil.
Organization: Global Affairs Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $99,999
Helps small and medium-sized enterprises pursue new export opportunities and markets.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000
Helps employers create quality work experiences for youth while addressing their human resource needs.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1 million
Helps Canadian entrepreneurs bring their innovations to market by connecting them with federal departments and agencies that have a challenge to solve.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Supports the development and commercialization of innovative agri-food products, technologies, processes or services.
Organization: Ocean Supercluster
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million
Accelerates ocean technology development and commercialization to strengthen Canada's ocean economy.
Organization: Export Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Provides a suite of financial solutions (insurance, guarantees, financing) to help Canadian companies grow their export business and manage risk.
Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Provides financing, advisory services and venture capital to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $500,000
Supported community-led projects that create jobs and economic opportunities in communities across Canada (program now closed).
Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and economic growth in Atlantic Canada through various programs and funds.
Organization: Prairies Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business growth and economic diversification in the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) with various funding programs and services.
Organization: Pacific Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and economic growth in British Columbia through federal funding programs and services tailored to B.C.
Organization: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business growth, innovation and community economic development in Southern Ontario through various contribution funding programs.
Organization: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business development and regional economic growth in Quebec through grants and contribution programs.
Organization: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports economic development in Canada's three territories through funding programs for businesses and communities.
Organization: Mitacs
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per internship (matched)
Connects companies with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for research and development projects, with matching funding for the internships.
Organization: Colleges and Institutes Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Connects businesses with colleges and institutes for applied research projects, often via grants like NSERC's college programs.
Organization: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports collaborative research projects between universities and industry (e.g., through NSERC Alliance grants and other partnership programs).
Organization: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports research partnerships in social sciences and humanities (e.g., through SSHRC Partnership Grants and Partnership Engage Grants).
Organization: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports health research projects in partnership with industry (via CIHR programs that co-fund industry-academic collaborations).
Organization: Genome Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Supports large-scale genomics and genomics-related research projects through competitive funding programs co-funded with industry and provinces.
Organization: Canadian Space Agency
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports space technology R&D and commercialization through various CSA funding programs and opportunities (e.g., Space Technology Development Program).
Organization: Québec/Department of National Defence
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Connects defence and security challenges with innovative solutions from Quebec companies and academic partners (Réseau d'innovation défense).
Organization: Department of National Defence
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1.5 million
Provides funding for innovative solutions to defence and security challenges through competitive calls (IDEaS program includes contests, contracts, and sandboxes).
Organization: Public Services and Procurement Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $500,000
Helped Canadian companies test and sell their innovative products to federal departments (now succeeded by Innovative Solutions Canada - Testing Stream).
Organization: Global Affairs Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $75,000
Helps Canadian innovators (early-stage R&D collaborations) explore international partnerships by funding travel and meeting costs to secure foreign partnerships for technology commercialization.
Organization: Global Affairs Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $400,000
Helps Canadian industry associations undertake export development activities for the benefit of their members.
Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Increases private sector venture capital available to Canadian entrepreneurs by investing in venture capital funds and fund-of-funds, indirectly supporting high-growth firms.
Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Invests in early-stage technology companies across Canada, focusing on innovative startups poised for high growth.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $100 million
Supports large-scale industrial transformation projects that strengthen Canada's industrial capacity, often through contributions to major facility or innovation upgrades.
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1.5 billion
Supports the development and expansion of domestic clean fuel production capacity through project funding (capital investments in new facilities or upgrades).
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Supports research, development and demonstration of clean energy technologies (including renewable, smart grid, energy efficiency, and other clean energy solutions).
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
A five-year federal-provincial funding framework (2023-2028) supporting innovation, competitiveness and resilience in the agriculture and agri-food sector via various programs (grants, loans, insurance).
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $250,000 per year (50% of costs)
Supports the development of export markets for Canadian agricultural products through contribution funding for marketing activities and trade shows.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $250,000 per project
Supports the development and adoption of assurance systems, standards and certifications to meet buyer and market demands for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products.
Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $1 million
Supports innovation and market development in the aquaculture sector through contribution funding for projects that increase global competitiveness and sustainability of Canadian aquaculture.
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $2 million
Supports innovation in Canada's forest sector to develop new products and markets through funding of R&D and technology adoption projects.
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million
Supports the commercialization of innovative mining technologies by co-funding pilot demonstrations and commercialization projects in the mining sector.
Organization: Natural Resources Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Supports research, development and demonstration projects in critical minerals mining, processing and recycling, aiming to advance critical mineral supply chains.
Organization: Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $100,000
Supports the development of Indigenous tourism experiences and businesses through grants (often project-based funding for product development, marketing, etc.).
Organization: Canada Media Fund
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (grant or recoupable investment)
Supports the creation of Canadian content in television, digital media and interactive platforms through various funding streams (development, production, marketing).
Organization: Telefilm Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports the Canadian audiovisual industry through investments and funding for film, television, and digital media projects (production, development, marketing funds).
Organization: Canada Council for the Arts
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports Canadian artists and arts organizations through a variety of grants for creation, production, professional development, touring, and more in arts and culture sectors.
Organization: Sport Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports sport development and high-performance sport in Canada through funding programs such as the Athlete Assistance Program, Sport Support Program, and Hosting Program.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
A federal initiative to support innovative approaches to social challenges, including a $755 million fund to fund, finance, and support social purpose organizations (currently rolling out).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $100,000 (small projects stream)
Supports capital projects that improve accessibility in workplaces and community spaces for people with disabilities through grants for renovations, retrofits or accessible technologies.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports skills development and employment training for Indigenous peoples through funding agreements with Indigenous service delivery organizations across Canada.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million
Supports the development of foundational and transferable skills (like literacy, numeracy, digital skills) for Canadians through funding to organizations that deliver training and upskilling projects.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $2 million
Supports union-based apprenticeship training and innovation in training approaches through project funding, to help more apprentices succeed and modernize training systems.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
Addresses workforce challenges in specific economic sectors by funding projects that help connect Canadians with training and jobs in in-demand sectors (e.g., sector-based workforce development projects).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $7,000 per placement
Supports work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students by providing wage subsidies to employers who create co-op placements in STEM and business fields (e.g., through partner delivery organizations).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million
Supports training and skills development for jobs in the green economy and clean technology sectors, often through wage subsidies for youth in environmental roles (delivered via various partner organizations).
Organization: NGen (Supercluster)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (project-based funding)
Canada's Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster that co-funds collaborative, transformative manufacturing and technology projects led by industry consortia to scale up innovation.
Organization: Protein Industries Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (project-based co-investment)
An innovation supercluster that co-invests in projects to grow Canada's plant-based protein and value-added agri-food sector, fostering collaboration from farm to fork.
Organization: Scale AI
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (project-based funding)
Canada's artificial intelligence supercluster that funds collaborative projects deploying AI to enhance supply chains. Supports industry-led consortia in retail, manufacturing, transportation and more.
Organization: Government of Manitoba
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to 2/3 of training costs (max $10,000 per employee)
Provides Manitoba employers with funding to train new or existing employees to meet business needs, covering a significant share of training expenses.
Organization: Province of Manitoba
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to $100,000 (50% of project costs)
Provides non-repayable grants to support small and medium-sized businesses in Manitoba pursuing innovation and technology commercialization.
Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (Repayable Contribution)
Provides interest-free, repayable contributions to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Atlantic Canada grow, improve productivity, and become more competitive.
Organization: West End BIZ (Winnipeg)
Level: municipal
Amount: Up to 50% of costs, to a max of $1,000 (or $3,000 for large projects)
A grant for member businesses to support projects related to professional services, marketing, renovations, staff training, and IT improvements.
Organization: Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Part of the federal 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, this fund provides funding to not-for-profit business-support organizations to deliver projects that help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs develop skills and access resources.
Organization: Canada Council for the Arts
Level: federal
Amount: Varies by component
Funds Canadian artists, artistic groups, and organizations to create and disseminate innovative and diverse art. Supports research, creation, and project development.
Organization: Interlake Tourism Association
Level: private
Amount: $500 - $1,500
Provides financial support for projects that develop new, or enhance existing, tourism products in Manitoba's Interlake region, with a focus on culture, heritage, and nature-based recreation.
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