Challenge programs calls for proposals and interest

Funded through the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program, NRC Challenge programs advance transformative, high-risk and high-reward research that addresses Canadian priorities.

The NRC's National Program Office administers grant and contribution funding for collaborators who offer complementary expertise, such as academic institutions and small and medium-sized enterprises.

For more information on grant and contribution funding, email the National Program Office at NRC.NationalProgramOffice-Bureaunationaldesprogrammes.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

Open calls for proposals

There are currently no open calls for proposals.

Closed calls for proposal

Closing date Title Program(s) Type Open to
Call for proposals for the Arctic and Northern Challenge program second call: 2024 Call for proposals
  • Academic researcher
  • Indigenous organizations
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Other
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise
Emerging directions in fault-tolerant quantum computing – Call for proposals Call for proposals
  • Academic researcher
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Other
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise
Construction Sector Digitalization and Productivity Challenge program – Call for proposals Call for proposals
  • Academic researcher
  • Indigenous organizations
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise
Low Carbon Built Environment Challenge program – Call for proposals Call for proposals
  • Academic researcher
  • Indigenous organizations
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise
Quantum Internetworking Challenge program – Call for proposals Call for proposals
  • Academic researcher
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise
e-Auto Challenge program – Call for proposals Call for proposals
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Small or medium-sized enterprise

Previously closed applications

Archived list of calls for proposals previously launched by Challenge programs and that are now closed to new applications.

  • List of closed calls
    • Arctic and Northern: Arctic and Northern Challenge program call for proposals
      Closed date: March 1, 2022
    • Materials for clean fuels: Accelerated materials innovation for clean fuels call for proposals
      Closed date: May 2, 2022
    • High-throughput and Secure Networks Challenge program call for proposals
      Closed date: August 1, 2023
    • Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program: Quantum algorithms for scientific discovery
      Closed date: November 10, 2023
    • Aging in Place Challenge program: healthy aging community living labs
      Closed date: November 13, 2023
    • Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program: Next generation solid tumour cell therapies
      Closed date: November 15, 2023
    • Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program: RNA-based therapeutics for neurological disorders
      Closed date: November 15, 2023
    • Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Challenge program: Establishment of a good manufacturing practice human amniotic fluid cell seed bank
      Closed date: November 15, 2023
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