Amount: Up to $50,000, extendable upon project approval
The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – Accelerated Review Process supplies funding suited as technical or research-oriented to solve innovative challenges. The provided funding supports software implementation, productivity improvements, and production design or marketing projects. Federal funding is released on April 1st of each year. Not suitable for training projects.
Eligibility Criteria: Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP – ARD)
- Must have been incorporated for at least 2 years
- Small or medium-sized enterprise in Canada, incorporated and profit-oriented;
- 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees; and
- Have the objective to grow and generate profits through the development and commercialization of innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services, or processes in Canada.
Eligible Costs: Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP – ARD)
- Internal Labour (salaries and wages of the employees)
- Subcontractors’ Cost
- Materials
- Examples of the eligible activities:
- Small R&D projects limited in scope and nature
- Research or technology evaluation-related travel
- Market research and competitive intelligence studies
- Technical Feasibility studies
- Internet protocol (IP) assessment and assessment of technology needs for adoption of technology.
- Diagnostics
- Lean manufacturing/productivity studies
- Other projects not entirely technical in nature
- IP planning and strategy assistance
- Validation of technology which in turn can attract external investment
- Product prototyping, development, and enhancements
- Business process mapping
- Supply chain diversification
Amount of the Government Grant
Up to $50,000 extendable upon project approval.
Eligibility Timeline
Projects to be carried out between April 1 and March 31 of every year. Single-year projects must either fall within that timeline. Potential for 12+ months for larger projects.
Review Timeline
The applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, the prospective applicant must speak to the Industrial Technology Adviser before starting the application.
Reimbursement Schedule
Once the IRAP funding has been approved, an applicant can expect the following funding timeframe:
- 20 business days for projects with a contribution of $50,000 or less.
- 30 business days for projects with a contribution greater than $50,000 up to $500,000.
- 45 business days for projects with a contribution greater than $500,000 up to $3 million.
- 65 business days for projects with a contribution greater than $3 million up to $10 million.
The applicant must submit monthly reimbursements to share the costs.
Program’s Budget
$240 million per fiscal year.
Selection Criteria
Each application is reviewed individually against merit criteria. Merit criteria are focused primarily on the R&D process, technology advancement and job creation as a result of the R&D project.
How to Start My Application
Start by verifying your eligibility through our eligibility check form.
Our Focus:
- Submit project proposal
- Submit a company overview
- Submit an innovation plan
- Submit all required proposals, documents, and forms in a timely manner in order to ensure priority access to the funds
Canada Map
Examples of the Projects Approved by Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP – ARD):
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) funded many businesses in Canada over the years.
For example, Rianta Solutions that received up to $440,000 as a Kanata, Ontario-based designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative data centre technologies and TRC Manufacturing, a hydraulics manufacturer that based in Moncton, New Brunswick.
