Status
Available
Continuous
Funding
Minimum $10M in contribution
For projects size of more than $20M
Overview
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Strategic Response Fund (SRF)
The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) is the successor to Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). With a total investment of $5 billion, the SRF supports large-scale transformative projects that address market gaps linked to tariff impacts, build industrial resilience, accelerate diversification, and strengthen Canada’s long-term competitiveness.
Eligible Applicants
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For-Profit Businesses (Stream 1)
- For-profit business or cooperative incorporated in Canada
- Partnership proposing to carry out business in Canada
- Must hold sufficient background IP rights and rights to exploit resulting IP
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Lead Applicants (Stream 2)
- Canadian incorporated not-for-profit or for-profit corporation
- Must be the lead applicant for the collaborative network
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Network Partners (Stream 2)
- Canadian universities and colleges
- Research institutes
- For-profit firms (SMEs and large companies)
- Not-for-profit organizations
What makes a priority project?
All sectors are eligible for the SRF. Projects meeting one or more of the following criteria receive priority consideration during evaluation:
Trade-Exposed Sectors
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- Highly trade-exposed sectors or companies facing significant revenue loss, decreased profitability, and/or job losses due to tariff impacts.
Large-Scale Capital Projects
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- Projects with both front-end development costs (e.g., front-end engineering design) and significant capital expenses pivoting toward alternative markets or enhancing competitiveness.
Industrial & Skills Capacity
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- Projects critical to maintaining industrial or skills capacity and capabilities for Canada’s economic resilience and crisis management.
Export Market Development
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- Projects that help companies build capacity to meet Canadian market demands and accelerate trade diversification to new export markets.
Why Work With Ayming?
SIF & SRF Program Experience
We have helped Canadian companies successfully navigate the Strategic Innovation Fund and are actively supporting clients through the transition to the SRF, including stream selection, repayment structure, and ISED consultation strategy.
Early Consultation Strategy
ISED strongly recommends early engagement before applying. We prepare you for those consultations, helping you position your project, anticipate ISED's questions, and identify potential eligibility gaps before they become problems.
Large-Scale Application Writing
SRF applications are comprehensive, technically rigorous, and require strong economic impact evidence. Our team includes PhDs, engineers, and financial analysts who build the complete application package.
Repayment Structure Negotiation
We help you understand the tradeoffs and position your project to negotiate the most favorable terms during due diligence.
Network Assembly (Stream 2)
Collaborations & Networks projects require formal university, research institute, and industry partnerships. We help you identify and structure the right network before applying, a prerequisite for Stream 2 eligibility.
Our Government Funding Experts
