NRC Challenge Programs
Through our Challenge programs, the NRC is partnering with private and public sector, academic and other research organizations in Canada and internationally to advance transformative, high-risk, high-reward research that address Canadian priorities.
Grant and contribution funding is provided through the NRC's National Program Office for collaborators who offer complementary expertise, including academic institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Offered by National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
Amount
Non-repayable grant and contribution funding of up to 75% of eligible project expenditures (above 75% at the NRC's discretion in exceptional circumstances), stacking up to a maximum of 100% of eligible costs; up to $27 million available each year for collaborators working with the NRC
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Who is eligible to receive funding?
Eligible recipients:
- Academic institutions
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (those with fewer than 500 employees)
- Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and agencies
- Indigenous groups, governments and representative organizations
Companies with 500 employees or more are generally not eligible to receive grant and contribution funding but may still collaborate under other NRC programs and initiatives.
International collaborators are eligible if the project will result in a benefit for Canada and Canadians.
About the funding
What are the types of funding available?
The Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program offers non-repayable grant and contribution funding.
The share of contribution funding from the NRC is non-repayable and based on the nature of the project and related expenditures. Overall, the NRC will support up to 75% of eligible project expenditures. At the NRC's discretion, it will also consider contribution funding above 75% under exceptional circumstances.
- Stacking limits: Recipients can receive additional funding from Canadian federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments, up to a maximum of 100% of eligible costs.
Show all funding details
Up to $27 million in grant and contribution funding is available each year for collaborators working with the NRC.
What project activities are eligible for funding?
The following activities are eligible:
- National and international collaborative R&D and prototype development intended to support the adoption or adaptation in Canada of new or improved innovative or technology-driven products, services or processes.
- Acquisition and commissioning of equipment necessary to conduct collaborative R&D projects, including purchase of major equipment
- Projects involving recapitalization and strengthening of research facilities as platforms for collaboration
- Pre-project activities and initiatives, including support for business plans and capacity building where limited capacity currently exists or further work is required to define and finalize requirements
What project expenditures can the funding be used for?
Direct costs
Expenditures that fall under the categories below, typically used for budget development, are eligible for grant and contribution funding.
Note: Some calls for proposals may have limited eligible costs that do not include all the items listed below. Please refer to the call for proposal and proposal submission documents for information about eligible costs for individual projects.
Salaries
- Gross wages or salaries and non-discretionary benefits
Research support costs
- Expenditures for implementing the project, such as for research materials or information technology, as well as expenditures to collaborate externally, for example, to work on reports, studies, seminars, conferences and workshops
Travel and accommodation costs
- Expenditures for transportation, accommodations and meals incurred by the recipient to carry out the project
Fees for professional services
- Amounts invoiced to the recipient by a contractor for services rendered that are directly related to the project
Equipment costs
- Expenditures for acquiring new equipment, including reasonable amounts for delivery, installation or commissioning of the equipment
- The NRC may consider equipment expenditure amounts over $350,000 under a long-term platform if acquiring the equipment will help advance the objectives of NRC's collaborative R&D programs or could help develop further mission-orientation projects throughout or beyond the NRC's program
Indirect costs
- Necessary expenditures incurred during the project in order to conduct the recipient's general business but that cannot be identified and measured as directly applicable to carrying out the project
- Indirect costs of up to 10% of eligible project costs are generally eligible
At its discretion, the NRC may approve requests for a higher percentage of indirect costs from Indigenous, not-for-profit organizations and international collaborators when indirect costs could be a barrier to participation (percentage predetermined on the basis of proof of expected overhead expenditures provided by the collaborator at the time of application)
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accelerate | Grant | no fixed amount | Open |
| Accelerate Fellowship | Grant | $10,000 or $15,000 Standard Award (1:1), or $13,333 Cluster Funding (1:1.2), per internship unit | Open |
| AgriScience Program – Projects | Grant, In-Kind Support | Up to $5 million per project and $10 million per applicant over the program's duration (2023 to 2028) | Open |
| Business Strategy Internship | Grant | $10,000 per intern per four- or six-month internship, all going to the intern stipend | Open |
