In January 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $241 million investment in the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to launch the Defence Industry Assist initiative (DI Assist).
Through DI Assist, NRC IRAP provides advice, connections and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) advance made-in-Canada defence and dual-use technologies, those with both military and civilian applications. DI Assist helps innovative Canadian businesses address the capability needs of the Canadian Armed Forces and compete globally.
DI Assist supports the Government of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy by accelerating innovation, strengthening Canada's defence industrial base and helping to grow Canadian businesses in key sovereign capability areas.
DI Assist supports projects at different stages of development. It can help SMEs understand the defence market and procurement processes, explore early-stage R&D ideas and refine, test or validate technologies that are closer to completion.
SMEs seeking support must meet NRC IRAP's minimum requirements and demonstrate strong potential for innovation, growth and scalability in the defence sector.
DI Assist is designed to support promising defence and dual-use technologies that fulfill each of the following conditions:
- Support the capability needs of the Canadian Armed Forces
- Align with the priorities and key sovereign capabilities outlined in the Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy
- Have a clear path to commercialization
Find out more
If you're already receiving NRC IRAP support, contact your industrial technology advisor for more information about DI Assist.
If you're an innovative Canadian SME not yet working with NRC IRAP, visit our website to learn more about financial support for technology innovation, including the minimum requirements for support.