Deadline Date: May 29, 2026
The Government of Canada is inviting grant applications to support Canadian SMEs in developing collaborative research and development projects with Japanese corporate partners to accelerate innovation and global market integration.
The program focuses on building international R&D partnerships between Canadian SMEs and Japanese multinational corporations, supporting technology adaptation and validation, enabling integration into global value chains, promoting innovation in key industrial sectors, and advancing commercialisation of technology-driven products and services.
This initiative is led by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), which has identified Japan as a priority market for fostering innovation partnerships. The program is designed to support collaboration between Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises and large Japanese corporations, where much of the innovation activity and funding is concentrated.
Through this program, Canadian SMEs are able to engage in proof-of-concept collaborative R&D projects with Japanese partners. A formal agreement with at least one Japanese organisation is required in order to qualify for funding support, ensuring structured cooperation between international partners.
The program prioritises proposals from sectors such as digital industries, clean technologies, advanced manufacturing, natural resources and energy, health and life sciences, agriculture and food, and transportation, although applications from other technology areas are also accepted.
Funding support covers specific cost categories, including up to 80 percent of salary costs, 50 percent of contractor fees, and 75 percent of international travel expenses for employees. The total funding available per Canadian SME is capped at $75,000 CAD for a project duration of six to eight months.
Eligible applicants must be incorporated, profit-oriented SMEs based in Canada with no more than 500 full-time equivalent employees and at least 12 months of operational history. Companies must employ a minimum of five full-time employees in Canada and demonstrate strong financial and operational capacity to manage international R&D collaboration while continuing regular business operations.
Applicants must also demonstrate a technology with commercial potential in global markets, a commitment to innovation-driven growth, and the ability to commercialise outcomes from international collaboration. Preference may be given to SMEs with stronger commercial maturity, including those with higher staffing levels, prior international commercialisation experience, or significant annual revenue.
For more information, visit Government of Canada.
