Are You Eligible for IRAP Funding?
IRAP’s eligibility rules are short. Meeting them gets you a conversation with an advisor; getting a contribution also depends on the project, your capacity to deliver it, and available budget.
Who is eligible for IRAP funding?
To be eligible, NRC says you must be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium-sized business in Canada, with 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees, planning to grow through developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada.
What does the eligibility checklist look like?
Use the checklist below before your first call. If any answer is no, raise it with the advisor early, because some situations can be resolved, such as incorporating before a project starts or adjusting the project’s scope with your advisor.
| Requirement | What NRC says | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Legal form | Incorporated and profit-oriented | Are you incorporated in Canada? Not a sole proprietorship or non-profit? |
| Size | 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees | Count FTEs, not only full-time staff |
| Location | A small or medium-sized business in Canada | Is the R&D and commercialization planned in Canada? |
| Purpose | Growth and profit through innovative, technology-driven products, services or processes | Is there real technical development, not only marketing or sales? |
Criteria quoted from NRC IRAP financial support, checked September 26, 2026.
What else does NRC consider?
Beyond eligibility, NRC assesses a proposal on the project’s technical aspects and impact on your business, your business, management and financial capacity, your potential to achieve results, your commercialization plan, the market opportunity, and the benefits to Canada. A strong project in a weak company, or the reverse, will struggle.
What usually doesn’t qualify?
Work that usually doesn’t fit is routine development with no technical uncertainty, projects that are mainly marketing or sales, work already completed before a contribution agreement, and projects without a credible path to commercialization in Canada. Your ITA can tell you early whether a project is likely to fit.
Show the technology, not only the market.
IRAP funds technology development. A strong market story without a real technical challenge rarely fits.
Can early-stage startups qualify?
Early-stage startups can qualify if they are incorporated and have a real technology project, a team able to deliver it, and a plan to commercialize. Very early companies often start with advice only, then receive a smaller first contribution once the ITA knows the team. Next: how to get IRAP funding.
This page is general information, not financial or tax advice. Confirm details with your ITA and your accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for IRAP?
Incorporated, profit-oriented Canadian SMEs with 500 or fewer FTEs, developing and commercializing innovative technology in Canada.
Can a sole proprietor get IRAP funding?
NRC requires the business to be incorporated. Talk to an ITA if you plan to incorporate before a project starts.
Can non-profits get IRAP funding?
IRAP business funding is for profit-oriented companies.
Do I need revenue to qualify?
NRC doesn’t list revenue as a requirement, but it assesses your financial capacity to deliver the project.
Can early-stage startups qualify?
Yes, if incorporated with a real technology project and team. Many start with advice before a first contribution.
What does NRC assess in a proposal?
Technical aspects, business and financial capacity, potential to deliver, commercialization plan, market opportunity and benefits to Canada.
Sources & further reading
Program rules, timings and figures come from NRC and CRA pages, checked on the date shown. Your contribution agreement and ITA have the final word.