Deadline Date: March 29, 2026
Global Affairs Canada, through the Embassy of Canada to France and in cooperation with the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), invites you to apply to participate in the Canadian Maritime and Port Decarbonization R&D Partnering Delegation to France under the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP).
The delegation focuses on jointly developing new products and services by combining Canadian and French technologies, validating the potential of Canadian technology in French and European markets, adapting Canadian solutions to local market needs, decarbonization of marine transportation including reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, retrofitting and optimizing marine operations, sustainable ports and infrastructure through electrification, low-carbon equipment, energy management and port–ship interfaces, digital solutions and data such as emission monitoring tools, logistics optimization and smart systems, climate resilience including adapting infrastructure and operations to climate change impacts, and engineering and cross-cutting solutions including systems integration, innovative services, and hybrid approaches supporting low-carbon transition.
The purpose of the delegation is to support Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises in identifying and building partnerships with French stakeholders, including SMEs, research institutes, and large companies. It aims to foster co-innovation projects in the maritime and port decarbonization sector by creating opportunities for collaboration and technology development.
Eligible participants must be profit-oriented SMEs incorporated in Canada with experience in or progress toward commercializing technology, and a strong interest in co-developing solutions with French partners. Companies must also demonstrate the capacity and commitment to expand into French and European markets, supported by sufficient capital and human resources to engage in multi-year research and development collaborations.
The delegation program includes preparatory sessions and mentoring on pitching techniques, insights into the French market and co-innovation funding opportunities, and opportunities for Canadian companies to present their solutions to French stakeholders. Participants will engage in targeted business-to-business meetings, networking events, and site visits across key locations such as Paris, Lorient, Saint-Nazaire/Nantes, and Marseille, providing exposure to major maritime and port ecosystems.
This initiative offers Canadian companies a platform to explore international collaboration, strengthen innovation capabilities, and contribute to the transition toward low-carbon maritime and port systems.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
