Funding & Government Contracts for Canadian Technology Companies

01 Why this sector

Why tech wins the most funding.

Continuous R&D, high labour costs and clear technological uncertainty make software and AI firms a natural fit for Canada’s innovation programs.

$750K

IRAP AI stream

for manufacturing AI

≤ 40%

Digital-media credit

OIDMTC / BC IDMTC

$10M

IRAP ceiling

by stage

880

IT-services RFPs

open now

02 Best-fit programs

The stack a Canadian tech company runs.

Most tech firms combine an R&D credit, a cost-shared grant and a government contract pipeline.

CREDITSR&ED

Up to 35% refundable on R&D labour — the first credit nearly every software firm claims.

35%

GRANTNRC IRAP

Advisory + cost-shared R&D funding, including the $750K AI-for-Manufacturing stream.

≤ $10M

CREDITDigital-media credits

OIDMTC (ON) and IDMTC (BC) cover interactive product work SR&ED may not.

≤ 40%

TENDERIT-services RFPs

Cloud, cybersecurity and software contracts from CanadaBuys and provincial buyers.

880

03 Live for tech

Open opportunities for technology companies.

Grants, credits and contracts filtered to software, AI and deep-tech.

View all →

6 live · sourced + dated · re-checked 3 min ago

GRANTNRC IRAP · Federal14 MAY

IRAP opens $750K AI-for-Manufacturing stream

Up to 80% of R&D labour for SMEs deploying AI inspection and vision systems.

Amount $750K · Close 07 JUN Read brief →

CREDITCRA · Tax credit22 MAY

SR&ED limit doubles to $6M — material for scaling SaaS

Refundable ceiling rises to ~$2.1M/yr for CCPCs past $3M revenue.

Amount $6M limit · Close Annual Read brief →

TENDERCanadaBuys · SSC09 MAY

Shared Services Canada cloud migration RFP

Protected B data residency in ca-central. 4 incumbents on indicative list.

Amount $5.8M · Close 02 JUN Read brief →

GRANTMitacs · National03 MAY

Mitacs Accelerate generative-AI track, all provinces

4-month internships at $7.5K matched; eligible work counts toward SR&ED.

Amount $15K · Close Rolling Read brief →

CREDITOntario · Digital media01 MAY

OIDMTC covers interactive product development

Up to 40% credit on Ontario labour for interactive digital media products.

Amount ≤ 40% · Close Annual Read brief →

TENDEROntario · Metrolinx08 MAY

Metrolinx AI predictive-maintenance RFP

Vibration analytics across two LRT lines. Prior transit deployment required.

Amount $1.1M · Close 22 d Read brief →

04 FAQ

Tech funding — asked + answered.

What funding can a Canadian software company get?

01

The core stack is SR&ED (up to 35% refundable on R&D labour), NRC IRAP (cost-shared R&D funding and advisory), provincial digital-media credits (OIDMTC, BC IDMTC), and Mitacs internships. Most also pursue federal and provincial IT-services contracts. CanaGrants scores all of these against your profile.

Does pre-revenue or pre-product R&D qualify?

02

Yes — SR&ED is about technological uncertainty, not revenue. Early-stage startups frequently claim SR&ED on core product R&D, and IRAP supports first-time applicants with $75K–$200K initial projects.

Can we win government contracts as a small software shop?

03

Yes. Many federal and provincial IT RFPs are sized for SMEs, and the Buy Canadian threshold dropping to $5M on June 15, 2026 expands preferences for Canadian suppliers. We score each RFP bid/no-bid against your capabilities and past performance.

What happened to CDAP?

04

The Canada Digital Adoption Program (Boost Your Business Online / Grow Your Business Online) wound down March 31, 2025 and is no longer accepting applications. We mark wound-down programs clearly so you never chase a dead link — and surface live alternatives instead.

05 Keep exploring