What is Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)?
Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies (PrairiesCan, CED Quebec, ACOA, FedNor; FedDev paused; PacifiCan not accepting) as a repayable contribution. Funding is typically repayable, interest-free contributions up to 75% of eligible costs ($379.2M national envelope). This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Repayable, interest-free contributions up to 75% of eligible costs ($379.2M national envelope) |
|---|---|
| Cost share | Up to 75% RDA (repayable); at least 25% from other sources |
| Level | Federal (regionally delivered) |
| Program type | Repayable Contribution |
| Delivered by | Canada's Regional Development Agencies (PrairiesCan, CED Quebec, ACOA, FedNor; FedDev paused; PacifiCan not accepting) |
| Available in | AB, SK, MB, QC, NS, NB, PE, NL |
| Intake status | Open - continuous in the Prairies (to Dec 31, 2027 or until funds used), Quebec, Atlantic and Northern Ontario |
| Last verified | 2026-10-05 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: manufacturing, technology, aerospace, defence
- Eligible activities: Integrating into defence supply chains: equipment purchase, facility expansion or modernization, automation and technology adoption, defence certifications (Controlled Goods, CMMC, ISO), adapting or commercializing dual-use technology, late-stage R&D
Watch out for
No demonstrable defence or military need; basic research; land or building acquisition; refinancing debt; routine maintenance or scheduled asset replacement; located in southern Ontario or BC (intake paused or closed)
Deadlines & how to apply
Three-year national initiative delivered by the regional development agencies. Projects must finish by March 31, 2028. Every project must show a specific military need or defence supply-chain link; dual-use projects need a measurable military component. Southern Ontario (FedDev) intake is paused and PacifiCan (BC) is not accepting applications; Northern Ontario firms can apply through FedNor. PrairiesCan requires 2+ years in operation and other project funding confirmed at application.
How NorthGrants helps with Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)
Most business owners read about Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building a complete application that answers what the program asks for.
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.