NRC IRAP: prepare an innovation project for review
IRAP provides advice, connections and possible funding for Canadian technology innovation. Start with the project and an NRC advisor.
Who should contact IRAP
NRC lists incorporated, for-profit businesses operating in Canada with up to 500 full-time-equivalent employees. The business should plan to grow through innovative technology-driven products, services or processes. An advisor assesses the business, project, team and commercial opportunity; basic eligibility is not an award.
Funding is set in the agreement
Do not budget a universal reimbursement percentage or an assumed first-project award. Ask NRC which salary, contractor and other project costs it will support, at what rates, from which start date, and with what claim evidence. A supplier invoice is not automatically reimbursable simply because the supplier is Canadian.
Budget 2024 announced $100 million over five years for AI Assist. NRC describes support for SMEs planning, building and deploying AI solutions. That program-wide allocation is not a per-business entitlement; ask NRC which support channel fits your work.
What to bring
- The technical challenge, the present knowledge gap and the work you propose.
- The business opportunity, milestones, team capabilities and project budget.
- Any proposed subcontractors, their scope and evidence that your team can manage delivery.
- Other public assistance and your ability to finance expenses before reimbursement.
A routine software rollout does not become eligible innovation merely by using AI. For deployment financing, compare BDC LIFT. For experimental work, review the separate SR&ED eligibility test. Contact NRC before beginning work you expect it to fund.