1. Call for proposals overview
The National Research Council of Canada's e-Auto Challenge Program (e-Auto) is launching a call for proposals to support the development of electric vehicle (EV) technologies in 1 of the following 3 areas: low-cost, high-power-density advanced power electronics; safer, cold-weather-optimized battery systems; and safe, secure vehicle communications. The call aims to enable collaboration between the NRC and Canadian small medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Canada's automotive sector by accelerating the commercialization of novel zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies.
The e-Auto Program focuses on accelerating the development and commercialization of Canadian-made electric powertrain systems and components that address barriers to ZEV mass adoption—such as cost, range, and safety. By leveraging the NRC's extensive research capabilities and fostering collaborations across the supply chain, the program aims to create high-tech jobs, generate intellectual property, and position Canada as a global leader in sustainable mobility and clean transportation innovation.
The NRC is Canada's federal research and innovation organization. Our mission is to have an impact by advancing knowledge and applying leading-edge technologies. We work with other innovators to find creative, relevant and sustainable solutions to Canada's current and future economic, social and environmental challenges.
The e-Auto Program is enabled by the Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation program (CSTIP) with the goal of delivering breakthroughs across the innovation continuum that matter to Canadians. The e-Auto Program leverages the expertise of NRC science professionals. As a result, this call is based on collaboration between NRC researchers and external applicants.
2. Call objectives
This call is targeting collaborative projects that have the potential to advance technologies at mid- to high- technology readiness levels (TRL 3 to 8) to accelerate the mass adoption of ZEVs in support of Canada's target of net-zero emissions by 2050, while enhancing the competitiveness of the Canadian automotive sector. Projects must demonstrate that their research outcomes align with the mandate of the e-Auto Program.
2.1 Priority areas
The e-Auto Program is seeking collaborative projects in the following technology areas:
- Advanced Power Electronics
- Improved power electronics reliability and life cycle management (LCM)
- Novel materials and process technologies for wide-band gap (WBG) packaging, high-temperature applications and high-voltage insulation
- Optimized Battery Systems
- Resilient and robust automotive Battery Management Systems (BMS) for improved battery diagnostic and safety
- Design and technology optimizations for improved range and performance in cold weather
- Safe and Secure Vehicle Communications
- Quantum-resistant (post-quantum) cryptographic solutions for vehicle-to-everything environments that enable secure future vehicular communications, even in the presence of quantum-capable adversaries
3. Eligibility
3.1 Eligible applicants
Applicants collaborating with the NRC who are eligible for funding under this call.
- Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (those with fewer than 500 employees)
NOTE: Eligible applicants can also propose to engage third-party collaborators and subcontractors from across the technology ecosystem, which will be subject to approval.
3.2 Requirements
- Applicants must review the NRC Statement on Research Security and the information regarding Safeguarding Your Research and understand the need to take extra precautions to protect the security of their research, intellectual property and knowledge development from potential interference, misappropriation or misalignment with the interests of Canada
- Project teams must include at least one NRC researcher delivering on the collaborative initiative
- Projects must be clearly aligned with the call objectives, the program mandate and the priority areas of the e-Auto Program.
Optional requirements:
- Projects must be completed within 2 years
- Project proposals must include a pathway to commercialization
- Teams must complete an expression of interest (EOI) form
- Teams must include at least 1 NRC collaborator
- Technologies must be at a TRL 3 level or higher at entry
3.3 Commitment to EDI and GBA+
Project teams must clearly demonstrate their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) in their full proposals, including composition of their project teams, research methods, analysis and knowledge mobilization plans. Undertaking GBA+ and critically considering factors related to EDI adds valuable dimensions in research and improves the quality, social relevance and impact of the research.
EDI and GBA+ considerations should influence all stages of the research or development processes, from establishing priorities and building theory to formulating questions, designing methodologies and interpreting data. Applicants are invited to consult the Government of Canada's guide on best practices in equity, diversity and inclusion in research practice and design.
4. Project costing overview
4.1 Eligible costs
- Salaries for highly qualified personnel (HQP) working on the project activities
- Research support costs: direct costs incurred in the project implementation phase, for example:
- Consumable materials
- Supplies
- Equipment up to $10,000
- Costs for travel and accommodation required specifically for execution of the project
- Amounts invoiced to the recipient by a contractor for services rendered relating directly to the project (e.g. fees for professional services)
- Indirect costs not directly applicable to carrying out the project but necessary for conducting the recipient's general business, up to a maximum of 10% of total eligible project costs
- Reasonable and necessary costs for research equipment of $10,000 or more, including testing tools, instruments, computer equipment, secure equipment and information technology costs such as for high-performance computers and secure servers
- The applicants must show that the project objectives may not be achieved without this equipment and that the equipment can be procured in a reasonable time frame that will ensure the project can be executed. All equipment costs will be reviewed for eligibility at the EOI stage. The NRC team may contact the applicant if more details are required.
4.2 Ineligible costs
- Purchase of land
- Leasehold interest
- Property taxes
- Any portion of costs subject to refunds, rebates or credits, including HST, GST and PST
- Costs incurred or paid by the NRC
5. Funding and support
The e-Auto Program is planning to make up to $1.5M available to support this call, with anticipated funding of up to $400,000 in the form of non-repayable Contributions per project over the project life.
Determination of financial awards will be made on the basis of the final evaluation (including risk assessment) of proposed projects.
Funding provided by the NRC's National Program Office follows the CSTIP terms and conditions. CSTIP is intended to position the NRC as a collaborative platform that uses science excellence to respond to Canada's most pressing challenges.
As such, projects supported under this initiative benefit from NRC assets (special-purpose research facilities, scientific expertise and networks) and financial assistance in the form of non-repayable grants or contributions. For more information on CSTIP funding, consult the grant and contribution funding for collaborators page.
5.1 Government stacking provisions
The stacking provisions for projects are as follows:
- The maximum limit of total Canadian government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible costs) cannot exceed 100% of the total eligible project costs
6. Application timelines and process
The NRC is committed to a consistent, fair and transparent selection process to identify, select and approve the allocation of funding to projects that best fit the objectives of the collaborative call.
Expressions of interest (EOIs) will be used to determine applicant and project eligibility and assess alignment with the goals of the call on the basis of the criteria in annex A.
Eligible applicant projects deemed to have high impact potential on the basis of the EOI will be invited to submit a full project proposal (FPP). Applicants may be asked to provide supplementary information at various points in the review process.
Applicants chosen to submit an FPP will be notified and invited to submit an FPP. They will be provided with the required templates to be completed and the FPP assessment criteria.
Applicants must provide all mandatory information in order to be considered for funding. Note that an invitation to submit an FPP is not a funding commitment from the NRC. All FPPs will undergo due diligence and verification, including a peer review process, to determine which projects will be recommended for funding.
6.1 Key dates and deadlines
- April 17, 2026: Call opens
- May 22, 2026: Expression of interest submission deadline
- June 26, 2026: Invitations sent out for a full project proposal
- September 15, 2026: Submission deadline for full project proposal
- December 1, 2026: Notification of final results
- April 1, 2027: Expected start date for funding and project
6.2 General call process steps
- Step 1: Assemble the project team, which will include at least one eligible applicant and an NRC collaborator. If you have a project idea but no NRC contact, send an email to e-Auto-Auto-e@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, and we will try to make a match for projects aligned with the scope of the call.
- Step 2: Request the EOI form by sending an email to Appel-e-Auto-Call@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca and return completed form to same email address.
- Step 3: The NRC's National Program Office (NPO) coordinates a review of EOIs received and assesses their eligibility and fit for the call.
- Step 4: The NPO sends a notice of outcome to eligible applicants.
- Step 5: The NPO sends the full project proposal (FPP) templates to selected eligible applicants to learn more about their project idea.
- Step 6: Eligible applicants develop the FPP together with their NRC partner.
- Step 7: Eligible applicant principal investigators (PIs) submit the FPP on behalf of the project team by email to Appel-e-Auto-Call@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, copying the program team at e-Auto-Auto-e@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
- Step 8: NRC collaborator PIs submit internal NRC project documents such as the NRC workplan and NRC project workbook for the e-Auto Program.
- Step 9: The NPO coordinates the peer review process.
- Step 10: The NPO sends a notice of outcome to the eligible applicants.
- Step 11: The NPO completes a due diligence review of the FPPs.
- Step 12: The NPO develops collaborative research and funding agreements for successful projects with support from the research centres.
- Step 13: Projects begins.
6.3 Expression of interest (EOI)
Request the EOI form by sending an email to Appel-e-Auto-Call@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. Return your completed form to same email address no later than 11:59 pm ET on May 22, 2026. Use the subject line "e-Auto EOI Submission – Applicant Name" in your email.
If you wish to withdraw your EOI at any stage of the evaluation, you must do so by sending an email to Appel-e-Auto-Call@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. If you wish to be considered for funding for the same project in the future, you will be required to resubmit an EOI.
7. Project and funding agreements
After receiving notice of project approval from the NPO, eligible recipients must enter into a collaborative research and funding agreement with the NRC. If this agreement is not finalized within a reasonable timeframe, funding will be reallocated to other projects.
8. Contact information
For more information on this specific collaboration opportunity with the e-Auto Program, send an email to e-Auto-Auto-e@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
Annex A. Selection criteria for expressions of interest (EOI)
The 6 criteria below will be used to evaluate EOI applications. While each criterion will be equally weighted in the evaluation process, consideration will also be given to regional diversity and distribution across streams and strategic areas.
1. Methodology
Describe how the project will be carried out, including a high-level description of the tasks and methodology.
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Does the project have a well-developed methodology?
- Does your response describe how the project will be carried out, including a high-level description of the workplan which includes key tasks and methodology?
- Are the workplan and methodology logical and viable?
2. Project team and resources
Detail the roles, ability and capacity of the planned project team to undertake the work over the duration of the project and to provide continued support upon completion.
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Explain how the knowledge, experience and achievements of the current individuals in the project team provide the expertise needed to accomplish the project objectives
- Discuss the synergies and complementarities of team members with those of the NRC
- Identify any known skill or knowledge gaps within the applicant team and outline the plan for acquiring the necessary skills or knowledge
- In considering the above gaps, identify any need to expand the team in order to fill gaps, including the type of HQP that would be sought to complement the team (MSc, PhD, postdoctoral fellow, etc.)
- Explain how equity, diversity and inclusion have been considered in the team composition
- Describe the opportunities that will arise during the project to help advance the careers of the project team members
- Does the project team have the ability and capacity to deliver the project over its lifetime?
- Does the project team have the required expertise to carry out this project?
- Does the project team have a history of collaboration with NRC (if so, provide some high-level examples of past collaboration)?
- Is there a clear distribution of roles and what is required from the different project collaborators?
- What is the distribution of work among the different team members (in %)?
3. Alignment with scope
Provide a clear statement of how the project addresses the objectives and priorities of the call for proposals.
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Does the project clearly align with the scope of the call for proposals?
- Describe how this project will generate results that benefit Canada, taking into consideration the objectives targeted by the Collaborative Science, Technology, and Innovation program
4. Addressing a gap
Provide a clear statement describing the value of the proposed technology and the knowledge gaps that the project will address. Explain how the project will address these knowledge gaps.
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Does the project address a significant gap that could lead to further advancements, demonstrations or commercial deployment of a technology or a product? (provide a rationale in statement)?
- What are the risks if the project is not funded?
5. Innovation
How is the proposed project innovative or novel? Provide context about similar projects already being undertaken in Canada and elsewhere and describe how this project is different.
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Explain how the proposed project is sufficiently novel or innovative
- Explain how the project is expected to produce a clear advancement of the proposed technology
- Provide metrics of success (IP, publications, HQP training, technology advancement, etc.)
6. Economic and social impacts
Provide a quantitative estimate of the project's potential economic and social impacts (e.g., reduced costs, new revenue streams, job creation, increased public confidence).
When answering this question, consider the following:
- Are you able to provide a quantitative summary of the estimated benefits associated with the project?
- Are you able to back up the estimate with a high-level qualitative analysis that supports the estimates?
- Are the proposed economic or social impacts of the project significant and do they address the economic goals of the program?
7. NRC collaboration
- The project proposal has identified an NRC lead researcher or collaboration research centre
- The project leverages the NRC's resources (i.e. key assets, researchers, platforms, tools), including scientific expertise, networks and research facilities.
- The project is feasible in terms of implementing the NRC's technologies and achieving the project's objectives