- agency
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- amount
- Phase 1 grant up to CAD $150,000 (approx. six months of project expenses); Phase 2 grant up to CAD $1,000,000 (up to two years; DND challenges may be higher). Also includes a Testing Stream where federal organizations buy/test pre-commercial innovations.
- country
- Canada
- deadline or recurrence
- Recurring, challenge-based (open calls posted periodically on the ISC website). New-challenge volume reduced following budget cuts (cited ~CAD $70M/year reduction from 2025-26).
- eligibility
- For-profit Canadian incorporated SMEs with 499 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees; majority of operations, wages and senior executives located in Canada; must own or license the IP; solution must address a specific active federal department challenge posted on the ISC website. Challenge Stream technology generally at Technology Readiness Level 1-4 at application; at least two-thirds of Phase 1 R&D performed internally (subcontracting capped at one-third of budget). Not-for-profits and cooperatives ineligible.