The Energy Innovation Program’s Innovation Ecosystem Enablers Call for Proposals supports projects that strengthen Canada’s energy innovation ecosystem. The current focus area funds new or expanded testing facilities that provide broad-based, shared-use testing and validation services to energy innovators.

Projects must address a clear unmet need in Canada’s energy innovation ecosystem and demonstrate a pathway to long-term operational sustainability. Eligible facilities may support technology testing, validation, demonstration, pilot testing, prototyping, scale-up, certification, standards testing, or systems integration.

Current focus area: Process and Technology Testing Facilities.

Eligible projects

Projects must:

• • Build or deploy physical or digital infrastructure that creates new or expanded services for:
    • technology testing, validation or performance verification;
    • demonstration, pilot testing, prototyping or technology scale-up; or
    • certification, standards testing or systems integration validation.
  • Address a demonstrated unmet need in Canada’s energy innovation ecosystem.
  • Show a credible plan for long-term financial sustainability without ongoing government support.
  • Provide access to the facility for energy innovators beyond the founding organization and its affiliates; facilities intended solely for internal use are not eligible.
  • Have a confirmed Canadian location. Deferred maintenance costs are not eligible.
  • Identify all non-NRCan sources of funding.

  Project readiness: Projects must be at least development ready, with specifications, site requirements, partnerships and co-funding commitments, procurement plans and regulatory requirements identified. Implementation (capital expenditures) and early operations (operating expenditures) are eligible phases. Concept and pre-development work and fully commercial operations are not funded.

  Testing, validation or other services performed on behalf of clients are not eligible activities.

  Other requirements and considerations

  Applicants must have an IP and data management approach that protects client confidentiality and ensures sensitive information is safeguarded and retained in Canada. The facility must be located in Canada and provide significant tangible benefits to Canada.

  NRCan may prioritize projects that serve a broad user base, provide transparent access and pricing, support Canadian partnerships, contribute to regional balance and socio-economic priorities, and make reasonable efforts to support the Buy Canadian Policy.