Use our SR&ED, IRAP and SIF Eligibility Calculator to see which Canadian innovation programs your business may qualify for. In a few clicks, assess fit for SR&ED tax credits, NRC IRAP non-dilutive funding and the Strategic Innovation Fund, then review clear action items and optional financing to keep your project moving.
- Smarter Loans
- SR&ED, IRAP & SIF Eligibility Calculator
SR&ED, IRAP & SIF Eligibility Calculator
SR&ED, IRAP and SIF Eligibility Tool & Calculator (Canada)
Check if your company may qualify for Canadian innovation programs SR&ED tax credits, NRC IRAP contributions and the Strategic Innovation Fund SIF. Answer a few questions about your business, R&D, team, project and budget — then click to get a tailored eligibility snapshot and next steps.
Your Business & Project Details
Select your industry
Tap a tile to prefill typical assumptions. You can edit anything below.
Include Canadian salaries, subcontractors, materials and overhead tied to experimental development.
Activities, Ownership & Partners
Systematic investigation to achieve a scientific or technological advancement.
CCPCs may access refundable SR&ED rates within thresholds.
IRAP and SIF commonly require company cost share.
Some IRAP streams support youth placements.
This tool provides planning guidance only and is not legal or tax advice.
Results & Next Steps
SR&ED status
Pending
IRAP status
Pending
SIF status
Pending
| Program | Likely eligibility | Why | Actions |
|---|
🚀
Bridge your R&D with flexible financing
Keep projects moving while claims and grants are processed.
Note: Final eligibility depends on detailed criteria, documentation and agency review.
SR&ED at a Glance
The Scientific Research and Experimental Development program is a federal tax incentive designed to encourage Canadian businesses to undertake systematic R&D that attempts to resolve technological uncertainties and push beyond the current state of knowledge. Eligible work must be experimental — not routine engineering — and should be documented through hypotheses, tests, iterations and conclusions. Costs can include Canadian salaries and wages, a portion of overhead, materials consumed or transformed, and some contractor fees.
🧪
Need cash while waiting for credits
Explore non-dilutive funding options to smooth R&D cash flow.
What IRAP Funds
NRC IRAP provides non-dilutive contributions to Canadian SMEs for technology development and commercialization projects. Typical projects land between TRL 3–7 and include eligible costs such as technical staff time, subcontractors and materials. Companies generally must be incorporated in Canada, have under 500 employees, and contribute a meaningful cash match. An Industrial Technology Advisor works with you to refine milestones, budget and market plan.
- SME focus under 500 employees
- Co-funding often required (e.g., 20–40 percent)
- Commercialization plan expected with credible customers or pilots
🧭
Align your milestones
Finance key hires and materials to hit IRAP deliverables.
How SIF Supports Scale
The Strategic Innovation Fund targets larger, transformative projects that create spillover benefits: highly skilled jobs, export growth, supply chain anchoring, and net-zero adoption. SIF can support late-stage R&D, pilot and demonstration facilities, and expansion projects. Applicants typically present significant matching funds, strong collaborations, a clear IP plan and robust economic benefits for Canada.
- Emphasize national benefits: jobs, productivity, clean growth.
- Build a consortium with industry and academic partners.
- Show a capital plan and credible commercialization path.
🏗️
Prepare for due diligence
Bolster runway while assembling a SIF-grade application.
Quick Comparison: Who Qualifies for What
| Program | Typical applicant | Key thresholds | Funding type | Company cost share | Common exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR&ED | Canadian corporations conducting eligible R&D | Technological uncertainty + systematic investigation | Tax credit (refundable for many CCPCs) | N/A (tax incentive) | Routine dev, cosmetic changes, market research |
| IRAP | Canadian SME < 500 employees | TRL 3–7, commercialization plan, Canadian incorporation | Non-dilutive contribution | Often 20–40 percent (varies by stream) | Pure marketing, sales-only projects, capex-heavy builds |
| SIF | Mid/large firms or consortia | Large budget, national benefits, partnerships | Repayable/non-repayable mix (stream-dependent) | Material company match (significant) | Small incremental upgrades, limited Canadian benefit |
This table is a planning guide; refer to official guidance for exact eligibility and terms.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Keep contemporaneous R&D records — hypotheses, tests, failures, data.
- Map milestones to TRL stages and define measurable outcomes.
- Compile letters of interest or pilot commitments from customers.
- Clarify ownership of background and foreground IP developed in Canada.
- Quantify benefits to Canada: jobs, training, supply chain resiliency, emissions.
📄
Tighten your package
Use working capital to secure vendors, testing and pilots.
FAQs
What evidence do I need for SR&ED
SR&ED Track technological uncertainty, hypotheses, experiments, tests and results. Keep timesheets for Canadian R&D staff, invoices for contractors/materials, and versioned code or lab records that show iterative experimentation.
Can I receive both SR&ED and IRAP
Yes — but you can’t double-fund the same cost line. If IRAP funds a portion of eligible work, you must net it from SR&ED claims for the overlapping period/categories.
What company size fits IRAP
Canadian SMEs under 500 employees with the ability to co-fund, clear technical milestones (TRL 3–7), and a credible path to market.
Who is a good fit for SIF
Larger, transformative projects with national benefits, strong collaborations, IP strategy and substantial matching funds. Think multi-year scale-up, pilot plants or demonstration facilities.
Does TRL matter
Yes. IRAP commonly supports TRL 3–7; SR&ED is TRL-agnostic but requires experimental development; SIF trends later and larger.
How long do decisions take
SR&ED is processed after filing your return. IRAP varies by region/stream. SIF timelines are longer due to diligence and project size.
💡
Ready to fund the next milestone
Apply for flexible business financing while grants/credits are pending.
