The key parameters of NRC-IRAP.
Your fundable objectives
- Develop a new product or technology
- Advance a process through industrial R&D
- Prototype and validate a new solution
- Build internal R&D capacity
What NRC-IRAP funds.
- Industrial R&D leading to new or significantly improved products or processes
- Technical feasibility studies for innovative projects
- Prototype development and validation testing
- Technology scale-up from lab to production
- R&D subcontracting to Canadian universities or research centres
- Training activities directly related to the R&D project
Who qualifies for NRC-IRAP?
- Canadian SMEs (under 500 employees) incorporated in Canada
- For-profit companies with a Canadian tax number
- Projects with a clear technical innovation and commercial potential
- All sectors: manufacturing, software, agri-food, cleantech, health
- Large corporations (500+ employees)
- Not-for-profit organizations (separate NRC programs exist)
- Projects without a clear technological challenge or innovation component
What costs qualify.
- Salaries and benefits of R&D staff directly assigned to the project (up to 80%)
- Subcontracting to Canadian academic institutions and research centres
- Materials and supplies consumed in R&D activities
- Overhead allocated to the project (limited)
- Equipment rental or depreciation for project-specific use
How to apply.
- 01
ITA assignment
NRC-IRAP assigns an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) to your company. The ITA evaluates your innovation capacity and project fit before any funding decision.
- 02
Project proposal
With ITA guidance, you submit a project brief describing the technical challenge, innovation objective, team, budget, and commercial plan.
- 03
Approval & agreement
NRC reviews the proposal. Approved projects receive a contribution agreement defining eligible expenses, milestones, and reporting requirements.
Your questions about PARI CNRC.
What is NRC-IRAP?
NRC-IRAP (National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program) is Canada's flagship innovation support program for SMEs. It provides non-repayable contributions covering up to 80% of eligible R&D costs, paired with technical advisory services from an assigned Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA).
How much funding can I get from NRC-IRAP?
NRC-IRAP covers up to 80% of eligible project costs. The average contribution is around $75,000, but projects can reach $1M+ for larger mandates. Funding is not capped by a fixed maximum — it is assessed project by project based on innovation quality and commercial potential.
Who qualifies for NRC-IRAP?
Canadian SMEs with fewer than 500 employees, incorporated in Canada with a Canadian business number, pursuing projects with a clear technological innovation and commercial potential qualify. All sectors are eligible — manufacturing, software, agri-food, cleantech, biotech, and professional services.
Is NRC-IRAP a grant or a loan?
NRC-IRAP provides non-repayable contributions — it is effectively a grant. No repayment is required as long as the company meets the conditions of the contribution agreement, including reporting milestones and project completion requirements.
Can NRC-IRAP be combined with SR&ED?
Yes. NRC-IRAP (non-repayable contribution up to 80% of costs) and SR&ED (refundable tax credit up to 35%+ on qualified expenditures) can both apply to the same R&D project. Proper expense segregation is required to avoid double-claiming the same dollar.
Does NRC-IRAP fund software projects?
Yes. NRC-IRAP funds software R&D extensively — algorithm development, AI/ML model creation, novel software architecture, performance-uncertain system integrations, and any software project that involves resolving a genuine technical challenge.
How long does NRC-IRAP take to process?
ITA assignment can take 4–8 weeks. Once an ITA is engaged, the proposal review and approval process typically takes 2–4 months. Start the ITA request process well in advance of your R&D project start date.
How does Hubvention help with NRC-IRAP?
Hubvention accelerates your NRC-IRAP mandate: ITA connection, project brief drafting to NRC standards, financial modelling for the contribution budget, and coordination throughout the ITA review process. We stack NRC-IRAP with SR&ED and sector-specific programs (ESSOR, AI4M) for maximum coverage.
PARI CNRC — Start your file.
We handle the full mandate: eligibility audit, file structuring, submission, follow-up.
- Structured mandate
- Confidentiality guaranteed
- 20 minutes