If your business is developing new technology, IRAP funding is one of the most important federal supports to know. Delivered by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) helps small and medium-sized businesses pay for R&D, hire technical talent, and move innovations closer to market. In 2025–2026, NRC IRAP remains one of the largest and most active innovation funding programs in Canada.
Unlike tax credits, IRAP funding is delivered as upfront, non-repayable contributions tied to specific innovation projects. It also comes with hands-on advisory support from NRC Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs).
IRAP funding is not a single grant. It is a suite of programs designed to support different stages of innovation. The two most common types of support Canadian SMEs use are project funding and talent funding.
This is what most people mean when they search for IRAP funding.
What it supports
Funding amount
Who is eligible
Projects are assessed on innovation, technical feasibility, and economic benefit to Canada. An NRC Industrial Technology Advisor works directly with you before and during funding.
IRAP also helps businesses hire early-career talent to support innovation.
What it supports
Funding amount
Who is eligible
Many companies combine youth employment support with core IRAP project funding.
IRAP does not have a traditional “open intake” or online application form.
Here is what the process typically looks like:
Timelines vary, but many businesses wait 8–12 weeks from first contact to approval, depending on project readiness and funding availability.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds, including whether IRAP or complementary innovation funding fits your profile.
IRAP funding often works best when combined with other supports, such as:
If you are exploring alternatives or follow-on funding, see our guides on apply for grants in Canada, government of Canada money, and venture capital in Canada.
Treating IRAP like a grant application only
IRAP is relationship-driven. Engaging early with an ITA is critical.
Pitching a business expansion instead of innovation
IRAP does not fund routine scaling, marketing, or equipment purchases.
Starting the project before approval
Costs incurred before a contribution agreement is signed are not eligible.
Underestimating reporting requirements
Claims must align with approved milestones and eligible cost categories.
Q: Is IRAP funding repayable?
No. Core NRC IRAP project funding is non-repayable when project terms are met.
Q: How much IRAP funding can my business receive?
There is no fixed maximum. Many SMEs receive between $50,000 and $500,000 per project, depending on complexity and impact.
Q: Can startups get IRAP funding?
Yes, as long as the startup is incorporated, for-profit, and developing innovative technology with technical risk.
Q: Does IRAP fund software and digital products?
Yes. Software, AI, and data-driven projects are eligible if they involve technical innovation and R&D uncertainty.
Q: Can IRAP be combined with other grants?
Yes. IRAP is often stacked with provincial funding or SR&ED, as long as costs are not double-counted.
GrantHub tracks 2,500+ active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.
If your business is working on a new or improved technology, IRAP funding should be one of the first programs you explore. Understanding eligibility, timing, and how IRAP fits with other innovation funding can save months of trial and error. GrantHub helps Canadian businesses identify IRAP and complementary programs that align with their industry, stage, and province — all in one place.
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