Strategic Response Fund (SRF)
The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) helps Canadian industries innovate, adapt and compete in a changing global economy by supporting large-scale, transformative projects that build economic resilience, strengthen supply chains and protect good jobs in key sectors such as steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products, AI and advanced technologies.
The SRF continues to support existing commitments, while providing assistance to Canadian businesses facing trade disruptions, tariff pressures and other economic challenges.
Offered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Amount
Minimum SRF contribution of $10 million for projects with total costs of at least $20 million; a portion of eligible supported project costs (expenditures) is reimbursed
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
Business Innovation and Growth projects - the applicant must be one of the following:
- A for-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada.
- A partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada.
Collaborations and Networks projects - the lead applicant must be one of the following:
- A not-for-profit organization incorporated in Canada.
- A for-profit corporation incorporated in Canada.
All applicants must:
- Request at least $10 million from the Strategic Response Fund for a project with at least $20 million in total eligible costs.
- Be able to provide financial statements for the past 3 years (or for all years in operation, if fewer), audited, review engagement, notice to reader or CFO/CEO-attested.
- Have secured, or own or hold, sufficient background intellectual property (IP) rights to allow the project's activities to be carried out and to make full use of the benefits from any IP resulting from the project.
- Align the project with one of the SRF key investment priorities.
- Complete the mandatory pre-application consultation with SRF officials before applying.
- Be willing to enter a long-term Contribution Agreement with the Government of Canada (which may span 20 years or more).
Eligible projects:
- Business Innovation and Growth: R&D and commercialization of innovative products, processes or services (TRL 1 to 9); firm expansion and growth of existing industrial or technological facilities (TRL 8 to 9); or investment attraction and reinvestment, including new R&D mandates and the hiring of full-time-equivalent employees in Canada (minimum TRL 2).
- Collaborations and Networks: national innovation networks, or collaborative technology development and demonstration projects (chosen through a competitive intake only), working with Canadian universities, colleges, research institutes, for-profit corporations and/or not-for-profit entities.
About the funding
The minimum SRF contribution amount is $10 million for projects with total costs of at least $20 million. The amount you request from SRF should be based on your project needs.
Strategic Response Fund (SRF) funding is project-based, with a portion of eligible supported project costs (expenditures) being reimbursed.
Project costs that are supported by SRF include:
- direct labour costs
Show all funding details
- direct materials and equipment costs
- other direct costs
- overhead costs (program limits apply)
- subcontracts and consultants costs
- land and building costs, which must:
- be necessary and reasonable in order to be able to carry out project activities and
- benefit all network members (for Collaborations and Networks projects)
Additional conditions may apply to applications that include land-related costs.
Other eligible costs for Collaborations and Networks projects
In addition to the above, the following costs are eligible for SRF support in the Collaborations and Networks category:
- expenditures related to network operations and activities, including:
- the organization of networking events
- the operation of regional offices across Canada
- participation in collaborative research and technology
- conferences and workshops in support of collaborative research and development (R&D) activities
- costs related to network operations, including:
- travel
- salaries
- overhead
- office equipment
- professional services
- other operational costs, as appropriate
Businesses funded by this program
8 businesses funded since 2021
Most recent recipients
| Business | Location | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Usine De Démonstration De La Technologie Elysis S.E.C. | Montreal, QC | 2026 |
| ADF Group Inc | Terrebonne, QC | 2026 |
| Algoma Tubes Inc. | Sault Ste. Marie, ON | 2026 |
| MDS Coating Technologies Corporation | Slemon Park, PE | 2026 |
| Kruger Wayagamack L.P. | Montréal, QC | 2026 |
| Siemens Canada Limited | Oakville, ON | 2026 |
| Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited | Oakville, ON | 2026 |
| Kap Paper Inc. | Kapuskasing, ON | 2025 |
Source: Government of Canada, Proactive Disclosure of Grants and Contributions.
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