Waterloo Region & Guelph

MixedFederal program

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)

NRC IRAP helps Canadian small and medium-sized businesses turn new technology into products and services they can sell. It starts with advice and connections, and in some cases adds funding for research, development and other innovation work. It's for incorporated, technology-driven businesses, not everyday business costs.

Amount
Not stated on the official page. Funding is decided case by case and usually comes after a period of advice.
Status
Year-roundNo intake dates. You start by calling NRC IRAP. Meeting the minimum requirements doesn't guarantee support or funding.
Type
Advice, connections and, in some cases, funding
Run by
National Research Council of Canada
Where
All of Canada
Checked on
Nov 13, 2026

Who it's for

  • Incorporated, for-profit businesses operating in Canada
  • Up to 500 employees (full-time equivalent)
  • Businesses developing and selling new, technology-driven products or services
  • Ready to create benefits in Canada, such as new jobs

Not for

  • Sole proprietorships and partnerships
  • Co-operatives
  • Unlimited or limited liability corporations (ULCs or LLCs)
  • Day-to-day operating costs
  • Non-technical or purely commercial work
  • Work done outside Canada
  • Research with little chance of reaching the market

What it covers

  • Advice from a client engagement advisor and an industrial technology advisor
  • Connections to networks, partners and other programs
  • In some cases, funding for research and development of new technology-driven products and services

How to apply

  1. Check you meet the minimum requirements.
  2. A senior executive of the business calls NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727.
  3. The contact centre decides if you're ready to meet a client engagement advisor.
  4. The advisor may refer you to an industrial technology advisor, who looks at your team, plans and finances.
  5. Any funding usually comes after advice and referrals. Being invited to send a proposal doesn't guarantee funding.

Good to know

  • Have these ready: your CRA business number, a business plan, recent financial statements, your ownership structure and profiles of your management and technical team.
  • The official page doesn't give a funding percentage or a dollar limit.
  • If NRC IRAP isn't the right fit, its advisors can point you to other programs.

Questions

Can a sole proprietor get NRC IRAP help?

No. The official page says NRC IRAP doesn't support sole proprietorships, partnerships, co-operatives, ULCs or LLCs. The business has to be incorporated and for-profit.

Will NRC IRAP pay for marketing or day-to-day costs?

No. The page says it doesn't fund day-to-day operating costs or non-technical, purely commercial work. Funding is for research, development and other innovation work on technology-driven products and services.

How much funding can a business get?

The official page doesn't say. An advisor looks at the technology, your team, your finances and the market, and support usually starts with advice before any funding.

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