Canadian AgeTech founders often hit the same wall: you have a promising aging‑in‑place solution, but no access to real testing environments or clinical‑style validation. The SAM3 Aging‑in‑Place Technology funding for SMEs exists to solve that problem by giving eligible companies hands‑on access to specialized testing, piloting, and design support.
This guide breaks down who qualifies, what support you actually get, and how to avoid the most common eligibility missteps.
The SAM3 SME Support for Aging in Place Technology program is a federal, service‑based support program designed to accelerate Canadian small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) building products for older adults and independent living.
Unlike cash grants, SAM3 provides direct access to facilities, expertise, and equipment through the SAM3 Innovation Hub, with support partially backed by NRC IRAP and Age‑Well.
Eligible SMEs can use SAM3 for:
This makes SAM3 especially relevant for companies developing sensors, monitoring tools, mobility aids, smart home technology, or digital health platforms focused on aging at home.
To qualify for SAM3 Aging‑in‑Place Technology funding, your business must meet all of the criteria below.
Non‑Canadian companies and large enterprises are not eligible.
This is the most common eligibility barrier.
If you are not in IRAP’s portfolio, you cannot apply directly to SAM3.
In many cases, NRC IRAP funding can offset portions of the overall project cost, but the SAM3 fee itself is still required.
Understanding this upfront can save you weeks.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether service‑based programs like SAM3 fit your business profile before you invest time in outreach.
SAM3 does not accept cold applications. Without IRAP portfolio status and an ITA referral, your application will stop immediately.
Budgeting errors happen when companies expect reimbursements. SAM3 delivers services, not cheques.
General health tech or consumer electronics rarely qualify unless the use case clearly supports independent aging at home.
While SAM3 can work alongside IRAP, overlapping costs or double‑dipping can make your project ineligible.
Q: Do I need to be an NRC IRAP client to access SAM3?
Yes. IRAP portfolio status and an Industrial Technology Advisor referral are mandatory for SAM3 participation.
Q: How much funding does the SAM3 Aging‑in‑Place program provide?
SAM3 does not provide a fixed dollar grant. Instead, SMEs pay a $6,000 upfront fee to access testing, piloting, and technical services, with additional project costs sometimes supported by IRAP.
Q: What types of projects are a good fit for SAM3?
Projects focused on usability testing, feasibility validation, pilot deployment, and refinement of aging‑in‑place technologies are the strongest fit.
Q: Is the $6,000 SAM3 fee refundable?
No. The fee is tied to service delivery and facility access and is not refundable once services begin.
Q: Can SAM3 support be combined with other government funding?
Yes, most commonly with NRC IRAP, as long as costs are clearly separated and not double‑claimed.
After the FAQ stage, many SMEs discover additional programs that complement SAM3. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and support programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.
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