Amount: 40% of eligible projects costs to up to $8 million (CAD).

The goal of the Advanced Manufacturing Challenge is to enhance the global competitiveness of Canada’s manufacturing sector by fostering greater innovation and investment in advanced manufacturing technologies. The initiative aims to create new commercial opportunities for Canadian businesses in international markets, support the growth of world-class Canadian companies, and cultivate a skilled, modern, and inclusive workforce ready to thrive in the advanced manufacturing industry.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for NGen funding, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be incorporated in Canada and maintain a value-added presence in the country—such as research and development or manufacturing—beyond just a sales office.

  • Fall under one of the following categories:

    • A for-profit business;

    • A not-for-profit organization that supports and finances R&D activities for the ecosystem, primarily funded by private-sector or industry sources;

    • A non-federal Crown corporation that generates revenue through commercial operations;

    • An Indigenous organization; or

    • Another type of entity pre-approved by the Minister.

Eligible projects

Project requirements are:

  • Projects must demonstrate meaningful collaboration with a minimum of two Canadian partners,
  • At least one partner needs to be a small-medium enterprise (SME; less than 500 employees globally),
  • Any one partner cannot receive more than 70% of the project’s total NGen reimbursement.

All NGen-funded projects must align with four core strategic pillars:

  • Collaborative: Minimum two unrelated Canadian industry partners (one SME required); collaboration encouraged with academic/research groups.

  • Transformative: Must develop innovative, world-class advanced manufacturing capabilities.

  • Applied: Clear path to commercialization with strong economic and job creation potential.

  • Enduring: Long-term benefits for Canada’s manufacturing ecosystem (e.g., skills, IP, tools).

Amount

Eligible projects will be reimbursed at a funding rate of 40% of total eligible project costs up to $8 million (CAD).

Deadline

The application intake closes on August 20, 2025. 

Program funding

NGen will allocate up to $35 million in Global Innovation Cluster funding to support collaborative, industry-led projects, all of which must be completed by January 31, 2028. In line with the program’s goals, this funding will co-invest in initiatives focused on de-risking, commercializing, and advancing manufacturing capabilities through the use of cutting-edge, world-class technologies.