Strategic Response Fund (SRF): Up to $50,000,000 for Major Projects
Adapting an industrial operation to tariff disruptions, or carrying a major innovation through to market, is work on a scale few companies take on lightly. The Strategic Response Fund (SRF) is a large-scale federal grant program, formerly the Strategic Innovation Fund, that supports transformative projects helping Canadian industries adapt to tariff disruptions, innovate and build economic resilience.
The SRF targets established companies with major R&D, commercialization or industrial transformation projects, in sectors like steel, aluminum, automotive, forest products and AI. Funding ranges from $500,000 to $50,000,000. The program is open, with continuous intake and no fixed deadline.
What is SRF?
The SRF is a federal grant program, available Canada-wide, that was formerly called the Strategic Innovation Fund. It supports transformative projects that help Canadian industries adapt to tariff disruptions, innovate and build economic resilience.
Its current priorities include tariff response, large-scale innovation (critical minerals, aerospace, cleantech, biomanufacturing, life sciences) and AI compute infrastructure. It is aimed at established companies with major R&D, commercialization or industrial transformation projects.
SRF at a glance
| Detail | Strategic Response Fund (SRF) |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $500K – $50M |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Canada-wide |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | Continuous intake — no fixed deadline. Submit a Statement of Interest at any time; full applications are by invitation and typically take 6–18 months end-to-end. |
| What it funds | Commercialization / Market Launch, Scale-up / Business Growth, R&D / Proof of Concept, Product Demonstration / Pilot |
| Industries | Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Tech, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Software & IT, Automotive, Aerospace |
| Company stage | Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Milestone |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | High |
How much funding is available?
SRF funding ranges from $500,000 to $50,000,000. Projects typically require a minimum of $10M in total costs, so this is a program for large undertakings.
Significant co-investment is required (often 50%+). Funding is paid by milestone.
Who is eligible?
The company
- Your company must be a for-profit company incorporated in Canada.
The project
- Projects typically require a minimum of $10M in total costs.
- Significant co-investment is required (often 50%+).
- You must demonstrate measurable economic benefit to Canada.
- Priority sectors are advanced manufacturing, clean tech, life sciences and digital tech.
When and how to apply
The SRF is open. Intake is continuous, with no fixed deadline, and you can submit a Statement of Interest at any time.
Full applications are by invitation, and the process typically takes 6–18 months end-to-end.
The status of Strategic Response Fund (SRF) in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Open. Grant AI™ re-checks it against the official program page, so look there for the latest before you start an application.
Is SRF right for you?
The SRF suits expansion-stage and established for-profit companies incorporated in Canada with major R&D, commercialization or industrial transformation projects, particularly in the priority sectors. Watch for the scale it demands: projects typically require a minimum of $10M in total costs, significant co-investment is required (often 50%+), and you must demonstrate measurable economic benefit to Canada. Competition is high, full applications are by invitation, and the process typically takes 6–18 months end-to-end.
Next steps: look up Strategic Response Fund (SRF) in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 13, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.