SR&ED refunds the R&D not covered by your IRAP contribution
Up to 35% refundable on eligible R&D, now on the doubled $6M expenditure base.
Amount
35%
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Close
Annual
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The Industrial Research Assistance Program cost-shares R&D for incorporated SMEs with 1–500 staff — covering up to 80% of eligible salaries and 50% of subcontractor costs, with a dedicated advisor. See if you may qualify.
IRAP pairs you with an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) who helps shape your R&D project, then NRC cost-shares the work — typically up to 80% of the salaries of staff doing the R&D and 50% of eligible subcontractor costs. First-time projects are often $75K–$200K; larger multi-year projects can scale toward the program ceiling. Funding is a non-repayable contribution, not a loan, and it stacks with SR&ED.
IRAP funds technical R&D with commercial potential, led by an incorporated, for-profit Canadian SME. The advisor relationship matters — start the conversation early.
Reach out to NRC IRAP early. An Industrial Technology Advisor assesses fit and your innovation capacity.
Work with the advisor to define the R&D plan, milestones, eligible costs and the funding request.
NRC issues a contribution agreement setting the cost-share, cap and reporting requirements.
Submit eligible salary and subcontractor costs against milestones; NRC reimburses its share.
IRAP funds the work as it happens; SR&ED and provincial credits refund more at filing.
Up to 35% refundable on eligible R&D, now on the doubled $6M expenditure base.
Up to 80% of R&D labour for SMEs deploying AI inspection systems.
$7.5K matched per 4-month internship; eligible work counts toward your R&D.
Refundable OITC stacks on SR&ED for Ontario IRAP recipients.
Sub-12% repayable capital to cover your project cost-share.
Absorbed the SDTC mandate; $100K–$500K for demonstration-stage clean tech.
Incorporated, for-profit Canadian small and medium businesses with 1–500 full-time employees, pursuing a technical R&D project with commercial potential and the financial capacity to fund the rest. Eligibility is assessed by an Industrial Technology Advisor — confirm with NRC before counting on funding.
IRAP typically covers up to 80% of the salaries of staff doing the R&D and 50% of eligible subcontractor costs. First-time projects are often $75K–$200K; larger multi-year projects can scale toward the program ceiling.
IRAP funding is a non-repayable contribution — you do not pay it back. It is cost-shared, so you fund the remaining portion of the project.
Yes. IRAP funds the work while it happens; SR&ED refunds eligible R&D not covered by IRAP at tax-filing time. Government assistance like IRAP reduces the SR&ED expenditure base, so the two are coordinated — we flag this on each brief.
Run a free fit check against your business profile before you contact an advisor.