If your business is working on defence or dual-use technology, early research and development costs can slow you down. NRC IRAP’s Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) helps by offering non-repayable funding and technical advice. The program supports Canada’s defence industrial base. It is part of a larger federal investment in the sector.
DI Assist is not a standard grant. It is delivered through NRC IRAP and tailored to each approved project. Understanding the application process is important for success.
Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist) is a special stream under the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). It supports Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that are developing homegrown defence and dual-use technologies.
DI Assist provides:
The main goal is to help Canadian companies move defence-relevant innovations from research into development and early commercialization.
To apply for NRC IRAP Defence Industry Assist, your business must meet both the standard IRAP eligibility and defence-specific requirements.
Your business must:
Eligible technology areas include:
Final eligibility is confirmed by an NRC IRAP ITA during the assessment phase.
There is no published maximum grant amount for DI Assist. Funding levels are project-specific and negotiated directly with NRC IRAP.
Key points about DI Assist funding:
Eligible expenses often include:
DI Assist is part of Canada’s larger federal investment in the defence sector. The total investment is over $6.6 billion across several initiatives, not just DI Assist.
Applying for DI Assist is different from many other grants. There is no open intake portal or standard online form. The process begins with direct contact.
Start by submitting a general request to NRC IRAP. An Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) will reach out to assess if your business and project are a good fit.
The ITA reviews:
If DI Assist is suitable, the ITA will guide you through the next steps.
You will work with the ITA to define:
This step is collaborative and may take several discussions.
NRC IRAP conducts an internal review. If approved, you receive:
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you find programs by province and industry, making it easier to pair DI Assist with other funding.
In many cases, you can combine DI Assist with other government funding.
Common options include:
Stacking rules apply, and total government assistance cannot exceed set limits. Your NRC IRAP ITA will confirm what is allowed for your project.
For more information, see Repayable vs Non-Repayable Business Funding in Canada.
Treating DI Assist like a standard grant application
There is no simple form. Early conversations with an ITA are essential.
Focusing on commercialization instead of R&D
DI Assist funds technical development, not sales, marketing, or scaling up.
Overlooking defence relevance
Your technology must clearly fit defence or dual-use needs, not just general innovation.
Ignoring your team’s capacity
IRAP checks if your team can realistically deliver the project on time and within budget.
Q: Is NRC IRAP Defence Industry Assist non-repayable?
Yes. NRC IRAP contributions, including DI Assist, are generally non-repayable when you meet project terms.
Q: Are startups eligible for DI Assist?
Yes, if they are Canadian-incorporated SMEs with strong technical skills and defence-relevant innovation.
Q: What types of R&D activities are funded?
Eligible work includes applied research, experimental development, and pre-commercialization activities tied to defence or dual-use technologies.
Q: How long does the DI Assist approval process take?
Timelines vary. Early engagement with an ITA can speed up the process by clarifying your scope and readiness.
Q: Do I need a defence customer to apply?
Not always, but a clear path to defence adoption will make your application stronger.
After the FAQ section, remember that GrantHub tracks hundreds of grant programs across Canada. You can check which ones fit your business profile.
NRC IRAP Defence Industry Assist works best as a partnership. Good preparation before your first ITA conversation can improve your outcome.
If you are looking at related programs, consider:
GrantHub helps Canadian SMEs see where DI Assist fits within a broader funding plan, so you can plan your R&D with more confidence and fewer surprises.
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