Ontario CleanTech Grants 2026

Comprehensive guide to 16 cleantech funding programs in Ontario Updated April 2026

16Programs
ONProvince

Ontario CleanTech Funding

Businesses in Ontario can access 16 specialized cleantech programs combining federal and provincial funding opportunities.

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Who This Guide Is For

Ontario's cleantech funding landscape is organized around three provincial delivery institutions — Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), Invest Ontario, and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) — layered on top of federal programs including the Clean Technology ITC, SIF, and NRC IRAP. Knowing which institution manages which program is the fastest way to identify the right application pathway.
Persona 1 — Cleantech Startup Building a Technology Prototype

If you are an Ontario-based cleantech startup building a pilot or prototype — clean energy technology, emissions-reduction hardware, clean water systems — the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is your best first stop. OCI's suite of programs includes the Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative and the Ready 4 Market program, which provide cost-shared funding for Ontario SMEs commercializing innovative technologies. These programs are competitively accessed but not limited to annual intake windows — OCI takes rolling applications for most streams. For the R&D phase specifically, NRC IRAP provides advisory services and financial contributions up to approximately $10 million for qualifying cleantech R&D projects at companies with fewer than 500 employees. If your technology has a clear greenhouse gas reduction application, federal programs including the Sustainable Development Technology Canada successors and the Energy Innovation Program (up to $10 million) may also apply. The most important thing at the startup stage is not to pursue the largest program first — start with IRAP or OCI vouchers to build a track record before approaching SIF or Net Zero Accelerator.

Source: Ontario Centre of Innovation program guide; NRC IRAP official program page, 2025.
Persona 2 — Manufacturer Retrofitting for Energy Efficiency

If you operate an established Ontario manufacturing facility and are investing in energy efficiency upgrades — variable-speed drives, heat recovery systems, LED lighting, compressed air improvements, or industrial boiler replacements — several programs can offset capital costs. The federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (30% refundable) is the broadest applicable measure for qualifying energy equipment. For larger industrial capital projects in Southwestern Ontario, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund can provide contributions toward capital projects with clear job and economic impact. In Eastern Ontario, the Eastern Ontario Development Fund serves the same function. For Northern Ontario manufacturers, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Invest North Launch and Innovation streams can provide up to $3 million for qualifying energy and cleantech capital projects. Unlike federal programs, these regional funds weigh local economic impact heavily — employment numbers, community investment, and regional supply chain effects all matter in the assessment.

Source: FedDev Ontario program guides; NOHFC Invest North program guide; Clean Technology ITC, Department of Finance Canada.
Persona 3 — EV and Connected Vehicle Developer

If your Ontario cleantech business involves electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicle technology, or vehicle supply chain electrification, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) is the most directly relevant provincial program vehicle. OVIN supports R&D partnerships between Ontario companies and research institutions, focusing on the EV and connected/autonomous vehicle sector. For the charging infrastructure side, the federal Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) provides up to $5 million per project for public or workplace charging deployment, and the Clean Technology ITC covers 30% of the capital cost of qualifying zero-emission vehicle purchases. Ontario's EV ecosystem is concentrated in the Windsor-Essex corridor, the Waterloo Region, and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area — companies in these regions should also explore local accelerator programs (Communitech, MaRS, DMZ) which often facilitate introductions to OCI and OVIN program officers. For larger-scale EV manufacturing investments, Invest Ontario provides strategic investment support and may facilitate connections to federal SIF or Net Zero Accelerator funding for qualifying projects.

Source: OVIN program guide, Ontario Centre of Innovation; ZEVIP, Natural Resources Canada; Invest Ontario cleantech investment guide, 2025.
Persona 4 — Clean Technology Manufacturer Scaling Production

If you manufacture clean technology equipment in Ontario — solar panels, heat pumps, energy storage systems, EV components, or advanced clean manufacturing systems — the federal Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (30% refundable) is your single most valuable incentive. Unlike provincial grants, this credit has no competitive intake window, no application scoring, and no intake cap — your eligibility is determined by the nature of your capital spending and what you manufacture. For large-scale manufacturing scale-ups, the Strategic Innovation Fund has funded Ontario clean manufacturing projects in the automotive sector, advanced materials, and clean energy equipment. SIF requires matching industry contributions and a clear economic impact case for Canada, but for manufacturers ready to scale from tens of millions to hundreds of millions in capacity, it is the largest-ticket federal funding vehicle available. Ontario manufacturers should also explore OCI's IP Fund and Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative to protect and commercialize intellectual property generated during scale-up.

Source: Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC, Department of Finance Canada, Budget 2023; SIF program guide, ISED; OCI program portfolio, Ontario Centre of Innovation.

Compare Ontario CleanTech Programs Side by Side

Ontario businesses have a richer cleantech funding stack than most provinces — federal investment tax credits, provincial innovation agencies, regional development funds, and sector-specific networks all operate simultaneously. These tables break down the comparison by program type, stage, and delivery institution.
Table 1 — Ontario Provincial Cleantech Programs by Delivery Institution
InstitutionKey ProgramsFocusStage
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)Critical Industrial Technologies, Ready 4 Market, Ontario Creates IP FundSME innovation, commercialization, IPR&D to commercial
Invest OntarioCleantech investment streamLarge strategic investmentsScale-up / commercial
OVINR&D partnerships, commercializationEV, autonomous vehicle, supply chainR&D to commercial
NOHFCInvest North Launch / Innovation streamsNorthern Ontario projects, up to $3MCapital / expansion
Table 2 — Federal Investment Tax Credits Available to Ontario Cleantech Companies
Tax CreditRateEligible ActivityRefundable?
Clean Technology ITC30%Solar, wind, storage, ZEV, heat pumps (capital)Yes (most corps)
Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC30%Manufacturing cleantech equipment; critical mineralsYes
Clean Electricity ITC15%Non-emitting generation, storageYes
Clean Hydrogen ITC15–40%Hydrogen production (tiered by carbon intensity)Yes
Source: Department of Finance Canada, Budget 2023; Canada Revenue Agency guidance, 2025.
Table 3 — Regional Development Funds for Ontario Cleantech Capital Projects
FundGeographyMax ContributionKey Criteria
FedDev OntarioSouthern OntarioVaries by program streamJob creation, Southern ON location
Eastern Ontario Development FundEastern OntarioVariesCapital investment, job impact
Southwestern Ontario Development FundSouthwestern OntarioVariesCapital investment, job impact
NOHFC Invest NorthNorthern OntarioUp to $3MNorthern Ontario community benefit
Table 4 — EV and Clean Transportation: Program Comparison
ProgramAdministratorAmountBest for
OVIN R&D programOntario Centre of InnovationVariesEV/AV R&D partnerships
ZEVIPNatural Resources CanadaUp to $5MCharging infrastructure deployment
Clean Technology ITCCanada Revenue Agency30% of eligible capital costZEV purchase / charging capital
Net Zero Accelerator (EV stream)ISEDUp to $50MLarge-scale EV manufacturing/supply chain
Table 5 — Ontario Cleantech Strategy vs OCI Programs: Relationship Explained
ElementOntario Cleantech StrategyOCI Programs
NatureProvincial strategic framework ($100M+ commitment)Specific funding programs delivered by OCI
What to apply toNot directly — it's a policy documentApply directly to OCI program streams
Who it helpsCreates policy priorities that shape OCI program designDirectly funds Ontario cleantech SMEs
Source: Ontario Cleantech Strategy, Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, 2024; OCI program portfolio guide.
Table 6 — Federal Scale-Up Programs for Large Ontario Cleantech Projects
ProgramMaxBest fitKey requirement
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)$50M+Large transformative projectsIndustry-research collaboration; national economic impact
Net Zero AcceleratorUp to $50MHigh-emitting sector decarbonizationMeasurable GHG reduction; scale
Clean Fuels Fund (NRCan)Up to $15M/projectBiofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuelsClean fuel production capacity
Table 7 — Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit vs SR&ED
FeatureOBI Tax Credit (Ontario)SR&ED (Federal)
Credit rate20% non-refundable15% non-refundable (public corps) / enhanced rate for CCPCs
Qualifying workR&D through OBI-approved research institutionsSystematic investigation/experimentation (broad definition)
Cleantech eligible?Yes, if through approved institutionYes, broadly
Refundable?No (non-refundable)Partially (CCPC enhanced portion is refundable)
Source: Ontario Ministry of Finance, OBI tax credit guide; Canada Revenue Agency SR&ED program, 2025.
Table 8 — Ontario Cleantech Strategy Implementation Progress (2024-2026)
MilestoneStatus (2026)
Ontario Cleantech Strategy announced ($100M+ commitment)Announced 2024, implementation ongoing
Clean Energy Standard of Ontario rollout phases2024 announcement, 2026 rollout phases underway
Critical Minerals Strategy implementationActive; funds flowing through multiple federal-provincial mechanisms
Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) EV pivotAdjustments to reflect EV supply chain priorities post-2024

Which Program Is the Right Fit for Ontario Cleantech

Ontario's cleantech funding landscape has multiple competitive layers. These verdict statements cut through the complexity and identify the strongest program for specific situations — with no hedging.
Verdict

The best starting point for an Ontario cleantech SME at the R&D or early commercialization stage is NRC IRAP, because it provides both advisory services and financial contributions without requiring a competitive RFP process. IRAP industrial technology advisors (ITAs) are assigned to your company and help position subsequent applications to larger programs — including OCI vouchers and SIF. Companies that skip IRAP and go directly to SIF or Net Zero Accelerator typically have weaker applications and higher rejection rates.

Verdict

For an Ontario cleantech manufacturer deploying qualifying capital equipment, the federal Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit at 30% refundable is the most accessible and lowest-friction incentive available. It requires no competitive application, no intake window, and no minimum project size. For manufacturers producing clean technology equipment, the Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC applies at the same 30% rate on manufacturing capital expenditures. These two credits together can be the most financially significant support an Ontario cleantech company receives in any given year.

Verdict

For Ontario EV and autonomous vehicle developers, the best dedicated provincial resource is OVIN — the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network. OVIN provides R&D partnership funding specifically for companies working in the EV, connected vehicle, and vehicle supply chain space. No other Ontario provincial program matches OVIN's sector specificity for this cleantech sub-sector, which gives OVIN-funded companies a meaningful signal in the EV ecosystem that general cleantech grants cannot replicate.

Verdict

For Northern Ontario cleantech businesses, the best first program is NOHFC Invest North (Launch or Innovation stream, up to $3 million), because it explicitly accounts for Northern Ontario economic impact in its assessment criteria — a competitive advantage that Southern Ontario companies cannot claim. Northern Ontario's mining, forestry, and energy sectors generate cleantech opportunities not well-served by Southern Ontario-focused programs.

Verdict

For a large Ontario cleantech project involving decarbonization of manufacturing, steel, chemicals, or automotive production, the best federal program is the Net Zero Accelerator at up to $50 million. Ontario's heavy industrial base — particularly in Hamilton, Windsor, Sarnia, and Sault Ste. Marie — is the intended beneficiary of this program, and Ontario-based projects have historically received a disproportionate share of Net Zero Accelerator commitments due to the concentration of high-emitting industry in the province.

Eligibility Decision Trees for Ontario Cleantech

Use these decision trees to identify your most likely program pathway in under two minutes. Each tree starts with the most important eligibility filter and branches to specific program recommendations.

Tree 1 — What stage is your Ontario cleantech company at?

Is your company in the R&D or early prototype stage?

IF YES — fewer than 500 employees?

→ Apply to NRC IRAP for financial contributions and ITA advisory support.

→ Apply to OCI Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative for cost-shared commercialization support.

→ If EV/AV related: also contact OVIN for sector-specific R&D partnership funding.

IF NO — are you scaling or deploying a commercially proven technology?

→ Claim Clean Technology ITC (30%) on qualifying capital expenditures.

→ For large projects: approach Net Zero Accelerator or SIF for contribution funding.

→ For regional capital investments: contact FedDev Ontario, EODF, or SWODF depending on geography.

Tree 2 — Is your cleantech project in Northern or Southern Ontario?

Is your business or project located in Northern Ontario (north of the French River / Mattawa River line)?

IF YES — Northern Ontario:

→ Apply to NOHFC Invest North (up to $3M for qualifying innovation/capital projects).

→ Layer federal programs: Clean Technology ITC, NRC IRAP, or Clean Fuels Fund as applicable.

→ Contact FedDev Ontario's regional presence for additional federal streams with Northern Ontario eligibility.

IF NO — Southern Ontario:

→ For Eastern Ontario: check Eastern Ontario Development Fund for capital projects.

→ For Southwestern Ontario: check Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

→ All Southern Ontario: access FedDev Ontario programs and OCI voucher programs.

Tree 3 — Is your Ontario cleantech work R&D or capital deployment?

Is most of your spending going toward R&D labour, prototyping, and testing?

IF YES — mostly R&D spending:

→ File for federal SR&ED (enhanced rate for CCPCs, up to $6M in qualifying R&D expenditures; max enhanced credit $2.1M/year).

→ Supplement with NRC IRAP financial contributions for eligible R&D project costs.

→ If R&D is through an approved Ontario institute: claim Ontario Business-Research Institute Tax Credit (20% non-refundable).

IF NO — mostly capital deployment:

→ Claim Clean Technology ITC (30% refundable) on qualifying cleantech capital property.

→ If manufacturing cleantech: claim Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC (30% refundable).

→ For regional job creation context: contact regional development fund offices to check contribution eligibility.

Practical Guidance for Ontario Cleantech Applicants

Operational advice on navigating Ontario's layered cleantech funding system — written for founders and operators who need to make decisions, not for grant professionals who already know the system.
Here's what you need to know about OCI and how it differs from government grants:

Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is a not-for-profit funded by the Government of Ontario, not a government department. This distinction matters for application strategy. OCI program officers are generally accessible and willing to have pre-application conversations, which is less common with federal departments. If you are unsure whether your cleantech project fits an OCI program, contact OCI directly and ask — they have industry advisors who can give informal guidance before you invest time in a formal application. OCI's programs generally move faster than federal grants, with assessment timelines measured in weeks rather than quarters.

Here's what you need to know about stacking Ontario cleantech programs:

Ontario cleantech companies routinely stack multiple programs on a single project. A typical stack for a clean manufacturing scale-up might combine: OCI contribution (provincial) + Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC (federal tax credit) + FedDev Ontario or SIF (federal grant/contribution) + SR&ED (federal tax measure). Each program has its own eligible expense categories and co-funding disclosure requirements. The critical discipline is tracking which expenses are claimed under which program — double-claiming the same costs across programs is a material compliance violation with clawback implications. A grant accountant or experienced grant consultant can manage this for projects with more than three active funding sources simultaneously.

Here's what you need to know about the Ontario Cleantech Strategy and what it means for applicants:

The Ontario Cleantech Strategy, announced in 2024 with a $100 million-plus commitment, is a policy framework — not a program you apply to directly. The Strategy's practical effect is to signal provincial priorities to OCI, Invest Ontario, and OVIN, which then design or adjust programs accordingly. When you hear "Ontario Cleantech Strategy funding," that money flows through one of those existing institutional channels. The best way to access Ontario Cleantech Strategy-aligned funding is to apply to the OCI or Invest Ontario programs that correspond to your sub-sector, not to search for a "Cleantech Strategy grant application."

Here's what you need to know about Ontario's Critical Minerals angle in cleantech funding:

Ontario is Canada's most significant critical mineral producing province, and critical minerals have become a major lens through which federal cleantech programs assess Ontario projects. The Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC specifically includes critical mineral extraction and processing as eligible activities at the 30% rate. The Strategic Innovation Fund has a critical minerals stream. If your Ontario cleantech business involves lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, or rare earth processing — even as a component of a broader clean manufacturing operation — explicitly framing your application through the critical minerals lens can improve your positioning with federal program reviewers.

Here's what you need to know about the Hamilton and Windsor cleantech clusters:

Hamilton and Windsor are two of Ontario's most active industrial cleantech clusters, and understanding their specific ecosystems can help you find funding routes not obvious from program lists alone. Hamilton's steel and manufacturing base is a major Net Zero Accelerator target, and local organizations like the Hamilton Economic Development Corporation can facilitate introductions to program officers. Windsor's automotive sector is the primary OVIN constituency, and the region has specific federal and provincial investment commitments related to EV battery manufacturing and the EV supply chain. Companies locating or expanding in these corridors often access dedicated funding streams not available elsewhere in Ontario.

Where Ontario Cleantech Funding Flows: Regional Activity

Ontario's cleantech funding ecosystem spans the entire province, from Northern mining and forestry innovation to Southern Ontario's EV corridor. Here is where each type of program sees the most activity across Ontario's diverse geography.

Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (including Mississauga, Brampton, and the broader GTA) host the largest concentration of Ontario cleantech startups. MaRS Discovery District in Toronto facilitates connections between cleantech companies and both OCI and federal program officers. The GTA's deep financial services ecosystem also supports cleantech venture investment alongside public grants. OCI, Invest Ontario, and FedDev Ontario all maintain active program relationships with GTA-based cleantech companies.

Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph) is Ontario's most active cleantech R&D cluster outside Toronto. Communitech supports cleantech SMEs throughout the application process for IRAP and OCI programs. The University of Waterloo's clean energy research programs generate significant IRAP-eligible R&D activity in the region. Waterloo-area cleantech companies have also been early participants in OCI's Critical Industrial Technologies Initiative.

Hamilton and Niagara Region are primary beneficiaries of Net Zero Accelerator funding due to Hamilton's steel industry decarbonization ambitions. FedDev Ontario has funded capital projects in Hamilton's manufacturing sector. The Niagara Region's proximity to energy-intensive industrial corridors makes it relevant for Clean Electricity ITC and ÉcoPerformance-equivalent federal incentives.

Windsor-Essex is Ontario's EV capital. The federal government has made major EV battery manufacturing commitments in this corridor. OVIN is deeply engaged in Windsor's automotive cleantech ecosystem. FedDev Ontario, the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, and federal SIF funding have all been deployed in Windsor for EV manufacturing and supply chain projects. Companies in Windsor-Essex have a measurable advantage in cleantech applications that reference Ontario's automotive transition narrative.

Ottawa and Eastern Ontario have a different cleantech profile — more oriented toward clean energy R&D, government procurement of clean technology, and cleantech startups serving federal client bases. OCI, NRC IRAP (Ottawa office), and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund are the primary funding vehicles in this region. Carleton University and the University of Ottawa generate IRAP-eligible clean energy R&D partnerships.

London has an active clean manufacturing cluster, including the Western University-affiliated clean energy research programs. FedDev Ontario and the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund are relevant for capital projects in the London area's manufacturing base.

Northern Ontario — including Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and the broader region — has Ontario's most distinct cleantech funding geography. NOHFC Invest North (up to $3 million for qualifying projects) is the primary provincial vehicle. Northern Ontario's mining and forestry sectors generate significant cleantech investment activity, particularly around mine electrification, mine water management, and critical mineral processing. FedDev Ontario maintains Northern Ontario program streams, and the federal Critical Minerals Strategy channels significant funding to Northern Ontario operations through multiple mechanisms.

Delivery agencies active across Ontario include: Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI, Toronto), Invest Ontario (Toronto), OVIN (province-wide via OCI), NOHFC (Sudbury and Thunder Bay offices), FedDev Ontario (Waterloo and Toronto), NRC IRAP (multiple regional offices), Eastern Ontario Development Fund (Ottawa), Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (London).

Source: Ontario Centre of Innovation program materials; FedDev Ontario regional office contacts; NOHFC program guide; Invest Ontario cleantech investment guide, 2025.

What's Changed in 2026 for Ontario Cleantech Funding

Ontario's cleantech funding landscape has shifted meaningfully in 2024-2026. The changes below affect how you should prioritize your funding strategy and which new programs or pivots deserve attention.

Ontario Cleantech Strategy implementation milestones (2024-2026). The Ontario Cleantech Strategy, announced in 2024 with a commitment of over $100 million, has moved from policy to active program deployment through 2026. The Strategy's primary vehicles are OCI programs, Invest Ontario strategic investments, and sector-specific initiatives in EV, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. For applicants, the practical implication is that OCI program priorities have shifted to more closely align with the Strategy's four priority areas — clean energy, clean manufacturing, clean transportation, and clean building technologies. Applications that align with these provincial priority areas have improved competitive positioning relative to the pre-Strategy baseline.

Clean Energy Standard of Ontario (2024 announcement, 2026 rollout phases). Ontario's Clean Energy Standard, announced in 2024, sets a trajectory for the province's electricity grid to become fully non-emitting. The 2026 rollout phases include expanded support for non-emitting generation and storage capacity, which creates increased activity for projects eligible under the federal Clean Electricity ITC (15% refundable). Ontario electricity generators, energy storage developers, and grid modernization technology companies should assess whether their planned capital investments qualify for this federal credit, which operates independently of the Ontario Clean Energy Standard but is directionally aligned with it.

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP) EV pivot adjustments. The Ontario Automotive Modernization Program has adjusted its cleantech eligibility criteria post-2024 to more explicitly prioritize EV supply chain investments, including battery component manufacturing, EV assembly tooling, and autonomous vehicle sensor systems. Automotive suppliers in Windsor, St. Catharines, Oshawa, and the broader Ontario automotive corridor should review the updated O-AMP criteria to assess whether EV-related capital investments qualify. OVIN remains the primary portal for understanding how O-AMP aligns with EV funding opportunities in the Ontario automotive sector.

Critical Minerals Strategy implementation active in Northern Ontario. Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, with its provincial companion from Ontario, has entered active implementation in 2025-2026. Northern Ontario's nickel, cobalt, and lithium mining and processing operations are primary beneficiaries. For Ontario cleantech companies working in critical mineral processing, battery material preparation, or mining decarbonization, 2026 is an unusually active funding period — multiple federal streams (Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC, SIF Critical Minerals stream, and targeted NRCan programs) are simultaneously deployed. Companies in Sudbury, Timmins, and the Ring of Fire region should be engaging both federal program officers and Invest Ontario's sector specialists.

Federal Investment Tax Credits fully operational in 2026. The four major federal Clean Economy investment tax credits (Clean Technology, Clean Technology Manufacturing, Clean Electricity, Clean Hydrogen) are now fully operational for 2026 tax years, following their Budget 2023 announcement and legislative passage. Ontario businesses that deployed qualifying capital in 2024 or 2025 should confirm with their tax advisors whether these credits can be retroactively claimed. Going forward, planning capital spending cycles around these credits — rather than treating them as a post-hoc bonus — can significantly affect project economics.

Invest Ontario cleantech capital investment thresholds adjusted. Invest Ontario has adjusted the minimum project size thresholds for its cleantech investment stream to focus on larger, higher-impact capital projects that create substantial employment and economic impact in Ontario. Smaller cleantech companies that previously considered Invest Ontario are better directed toward OCI's voucher programs or IRAP at the growth stage. The Invest Ontario threshold adjustment is part of a broader strategic positioning to attract international cleantech investors and manufacturers — Ontario's global competitiveness pitch is directed at companies making $25M+ investments, not seed-stage startups.

Source: Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario Cleantech Strategy 2024; OCI program updates 2025-2026; Ontario Ministry of Energy, Clean Energy Standard 2024; Department of Finance Canada, Clean Economy ITC implementation updates 2026.

Available Programs (16)

The sixteen programs below represent a curated set of federal and Ontario-specific cleantech funding programs active in 2026, spanning tax credits, provincial innovation vouchers, sector-specific networks, and national scale-up funds.
Strategic Innovation Fund

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.

InnovationLarge ScaleCollaboration
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Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

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.

R&DInnovationTechnology Development
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Clean Growth Program

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.

Clean TechnologyEnvironmentSustainability
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Ocean Supercluster

Organization: Ocean Supercluster

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $5 million

Accelerates ocean technology development and commercialization to strengthen Canada's ocean economy.

Ocean TechnologyAtlantic CanadaBlue Economy
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Cleantech Growth Fund

Organization: Business Development Bank of Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $15 million

Provides growth capital (venture financing) to Canadian clean technology companies to scale their operations.

Clean TechnologyGrowth CapitalEnvironmental
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Net Zero Accelerator

Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $50 million

Supports projects that help Canada achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, by funding decarbonization and clean technology scale-up initiatives in high-emitting sectors.

Net ZeroClimate ActionClean Technology
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Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program

Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $5 million

Supports the deployment of electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure across Canada through cost-shared funding.

Electric VehiclesInfrastructureClean Transportation
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Clean Fuel Fund

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).

Clean FuelsBiofuelsEnergy Transition
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Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program

Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $4.5 billion

Supports clean electricity and grid modernization projects, including renewable energy and energy storage solutions, to enable a low-carbon grid.

Renewable EnergyGrid ModernizationClean Electricity
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Energy Innovation Program

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).

Energy InnovationClean TechnologyR&D
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Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP) Programs

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).

AgricultureSustainabilityFood Security
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Ocean Protection Plan (Grants and Contributions)

Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Varies

A national plan with various funding initiatives to support marine safety, environmental protection, and Indigenous partnerships in ocean protection.

Ocean ProtectionMarine ConservationBlue Economy
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Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program

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.

AquacultureMarine InnovationSustainable Seafood
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Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT)

Organization: Natural Resources Canada

Level: federal

Amount: Up to $10 million

Supports innovative, first-in-kind projects in the forest sector that increase competitiveness and environmental performance (e.g., bioenergy, biomaterials).

Forest TransformationLarge ScaleManufacturing
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Green Jobs Training Program

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).

Green JobsClean Technology TrainingEnvironmental Careers
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LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition

Organization: Innovation Factory

Level: private

Amount: Over $150,000 in cash and professional resources

The Hamilton region's premier annual pitch competition where up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of investors for cash and in-kind prizes.

Pitch CompetitionHamiltonInnovationStartup
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