What is Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)?
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) is delivered by ISED as a grant. Funding is typically phase 1: $150,000 | Phase 2: $1,000,000. This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Phase 1: $150,000 | Phase 2: $1,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Cost share | 0% (100% government funded) |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Grant |
| Delivered by | ISED |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Limited — budget reduced to $70M; only specific challenges open |
| Last verified | Apr 2026 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: Technology, clean tech, health, defence
- Employee count: min 1, max 500
- Eligible activities: R&D and prototype development in response to specific government innovation challenges
Watch out for
Not a registered SME; no viable tech solution to the challenge; challenge closed
Deadlines & how to apply
Challenge-dependent; check ISC website for open challenges
How NorthGrants helps with Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)
Most business owners read about Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building an application that actually wins.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.