The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) supports Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to build international R&D collaborations that help commercialize innovations abroad. It provides funding to work with foreign partners through Partnership Development Activities (PDAs) and co-innovation R&D projects in targeted international markets.
Who can apply
Eligible Canadian applicants
Canadian companies must:
- Be incorporated, for-profit SMEs with up to 500 full-time equivalent employees
- Be ready to collaborate with a foreign partner on an R&D project
- Be seeking to commercialize a new or improved product, service, or process
- Own or co-own the intellectual property (IP) related to the technology that will be commercialized
- Have sufficient resources to support their share of the project costs.
For PDAs (networking/trade missions), similar eligibility applies.
Foreign partner requirements (for co-innovation)
The foreign partner must:
- Be capable of implementing the project and fund its share
- Agree in advance on IP rights and commercialization strategy
- Not be related by corporate ownership
- Be eligible for funding from their own national funding body.
Funding available
Co-innovation projects
CIIP can fund up to 50% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of CAN $600,000 per approved project.
Types of activities supported include: Technology adaptation to new markets, technology validation with potential customers, technology co-development with uncertainty in commercialization path.
Partnership development activities (PDAs)
For networking and matchmaking events abroad, CIIP may fund up to 50% of eligible costs up to CAN $15,000 for travel, accommodation, meals, meetings, marketing and related costs.
Current deadlines and calls
Deadlines depend on the specific call for proposals or delegation activity under CIIP:
PDAs (Partnership Development Activities)
- Canadian Semiconductor R&D Partnering Delegation – France
➤ Apply by January 18, 2026 (Activity: March 16–20, 2026) - Canadian Clean Energy Technologies R&D Partnering Delegation – India
➤ Apply by January 11, 2026 (Activity: March 9–13, 2026).
Co-innovation (Collaborative R&D Project Calls)
- Canada–Taiwan collaborative industrial R&D
➤ Deadline: February 19, 2026
NOTE: CIIP does not have a single “annual” deadline — instead, specific calls and delegation applications are announced with their own dates. It’s important to check the official website regularly and sign up for updates from the Trade Commissioner Service.
Ready to take your innovation global? Check the active CIIP calls, connect with potential international partners, and position your SME for funded collaboration abroad. Further details here: