Strategic Innovation Fund


A simpler, more flexible tool to grow Canada's economy
The Strategic Innovation Fund allocates repayable and non-repayable contributions to firms of all sizes across all of Canada's industrial and technology sectors. The program has a budget of $1.26 billion over five years. It consolidates and simplifies the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative, Technology Demonstration Program, Automotive Innovation Fund and Automotive Supplier Innovation Program.
Program objectives The Strategic Innovation Fund's objective is to spur innovation for a better Canada. Specifically, it serves to simplify application processes, accelerate processing, and provide assistance that is more responsive and focused on results. The program has four Streams, each with its own precise objective:
- Stream 1: Encourage R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes and services;
- Stream 2: Facilitate the growth and expansion of firms in Canada;
- Stream 3: Attract and retain large scale investments to Canada; and
- Stream 4: Advance industrial research, development and technology demonstration through collaboration between academia, non-profit organizations and the private sector.
Why this program is important Making sure that Canada is a top destination for businesses to invest, grow and create jobs and prosperity for Canadians is one of the Government's top priorities. The program is part of the Innovation and Skills Plan—our way to create jobs and strengthen the middle class by helping Canada's highly skilled workforce develop the skills they need to evolve and keep up with the demands of a changing workplace. The Strategic Innovation Fund will attract and support new high-quality business investments. In allocating this funding, we will look to accelerate areas of economic strength, strengthen and expand the role of Canadian firms in regional and global supply chains, support economic strategies, and attract investment that creates new, good, well-paying jobs. Apply for Strategy Innovation Funding
Contact information
Telephone (toll-free in Canada): 1-800-328-6189 Telephone (Ottawa): 613-954-5031 Fax: 343-291-1913 TTY (for hearing-impaired): 1-866-694-8389 By emailChat nowBusiness hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) By mail: Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) C.D. Howe Building 235 Queen Street, 1st floor, West Tower Ottawa, ON K1A 0H5 Canada
Similar articles
See all articles
Researcher, designer, entrepreneur: Finding room for all three through Digital Skills for Women+
Polina Baum-Talmor joined Digital Skills for Women+ while she was exploring what might come next professionally and beginning to turn her hand-drawn designs into a scarf business. The experience helped her build confidence in the digital world and see how her research career, creative work and entrepreneurship could fit together.

Board Spotlight: Q&A With Allison Boutilier
Our Board Spotlight series continues this month, highlighting the leaders who lend their time, experience and perspectives to Digital Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors.

Cabot Shores brings its wilderness experience to life online through TDAP
Cabot Shores first participated in the Tourism Digital Assistance Program (TDAP) in 2023. Funded by Tourism Nova Scotia and administered in partnership with Digital Nova Scotia, TDAP connects eligible tourism businesses with qualified digital consultants. Participants can access up to $5,000 in services to strengthen their online visibility, digital marketing and the online experience they provide to travellers.

Digital Nova Scotia announces 2026 TechQuity Award recipient as interest grows
Digital Nova Scotia is proud to announce Osazemhojie Osaighale as the 2026 recipient of the Digital Nova Scotia TechQuity Award. A graduate of Auburn Drive High School, Osazemhojie is beginning his studies in computer science at Dalhousie University.

Digital Nova Scotia Memberships
Join our community!
With over 400 members and a growing community of 10,000 tech professionals, including leaders across industry, government, academia, and non-profits, DNS is the leading association representing Nova Scotia’s tech sector.
Become a member