Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund - Contribution Funding New!

Program Category: Clean Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Climate Mitigation

Program Sub-Category: Economic Development, Zero Emission Vehicles and Charging Stations

Export to PDF

Status: Open

Funder

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Deadline Details

The application window will be open until June 27, 2025, for Stream 1 – Preconstruction. Applicants strongly encouraged to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) before April 30, 2025, prior to a full application.

The application window will be open until March 4, 2026 for Stream 2 – Shovel ready. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an EOI as soon as possible and no later than January 5, 2026.

Funder Organization Type

Federal Government

The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) is providing up to $1.5 billion in federal funding until 2030 for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada.

There will be calls for proposals launched over the course of the program’s lifespan. This second call for proposals will provide up to $500 million in contribution funding available under 2 streams:

Stream 1 - Preconstruction

Funds preconstruction activities required to advance projects toward a shovel-ready state, including studies; planning; design work; assessments; infrastructure-specific consultation; knowledge sharing; and engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as other impacted communities.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an EOI before April 30, 2025, prior to a full application. Full applications will be assessed and ranked after the application window closes on June 27, 2025.

Stream 2 - Shovel Ready

Funds the deployment of shovel-ready projects, including site preparation, construction, rehabilitation or enhancement of infrastructure, as well as capacity-building activities and engagement in support of Indigenous and other impacted communities.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an EOI as soon as possible, and no later than January 5, 2026. Full applications will be accepted until March 4, 2026, through a continuous intake process on a first-come, first-assessed basis.

Within each stream, there are 2 types of eligible projects:

Clean energy infrastructure
1. These are projects that drive environmental performance while supporting increased critical minerals production. These may range from mine-site infrastructure (e.g., grid connection, deployment of renewable or alternative energy generation technologies, battery storage and electric vehicle charging stations for mining equipment) to broader subjects with a regional impact on the development of critical minerals or expansion of critical minerals resource production.
Transportation infrastructure
1. These are projects that directly enable the development of critical minerals or expansion of critical minerals resources such as roads, rail or marine transportation infrastructure necessary to connect mines to value chains, including processing facilities and transportation systems that provide access to global markets.

See the CMIF Applicant Guide for more details on eligible projects.

CMIF funding addresses key infrastructure gaps in the upstream (mining) segment of critical minerals value chains to:

unlock new critical minerals resources
support improved environmental performance at mine sites
strengthen supply chains (i.e., by connecting resources to midstream processing and refining, downstream manufacturing, and markets)

Eligible Community

Provincial, territorial and municipal governments, and related organizations, including:
- provincial Crown corporations
- public utilities
- ports established under a provincial or territorial statute or regulation
Indigenous groups, including:
- Indigenous communities or governments
- tribal councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council)
- national and regional Indigenous councils and tribal organizations
- Indigenous (majority-owned and -controlled by Indigenous Peoples) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations

The term “Indigenous” is understood to include Inuit, Métis, First Nation, Status Indian and Non-Status Indian individuals, or any combination thereof.

Required Community Contribution

Community contribution required (please see program website)

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Yes

The maximum level of total Canadian government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal, including Crown corporations) permitted under the CMIF is 100% of total eligible project costs.

Other Eligible Applicants

Indigenous Economic Agencies
Indigenous-owned Businesses
Businesses / For-profit
Indigenous Organizations
Non-governmental Organizations / Not-for-Profits

Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada, including for-profit and not-for-profit organizations such as companies and industry associations

Type of Funding

Grant
Non-repayable Contribution

Range of Funding Available per Project

From $100 000 to $1 000 000
Over $1 000 000

Description of Funding

up to $50 million per project for most applicants
up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial governments

Percentage of Project Funded

For most contributions under the CMIF, the maximum contribution amount per project will be up to 50% of the project’s total eligible expenditures, with the following exceptions:
- Arctic and Northern projects may have up to 75% of total eligible expenditures funded.
- Indigenous-led projects may have up to 75% of total eligible expenditures funded.

See the CMIF Applicant Guide for more details.

Eligible Costs

Engineering
Design
Planning
Equipment/Material Purchase
Project Management
Staff Costs
Administration Fees
Research and Development

Eligible expenditures are limited to expenses that are directly attributable to and required to achieve an eligible project’s objectives. Examples of eligible expenses include materials and equipment; most professional services, including research and engineering; salaries and benefits; some administrative costs; and others.

Ineligible Costs

Land Acquisition

Some expenditures such as land acquisition, litigation fees, and general operating and maintenance costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

Reporting Requirements

Progress reports and final reports

The CMIF will offer non-repayable contributions, conditionally repayable contributions, and grants. In most circumstances, contributions will be non-repayable. Contributions made to a for-profit, non-Indigenous organization that are intended to allow the organization to generate profit will generally be conditionally repayable.

Grant funding will also be available to support Indigenous groups and organizations in their efforts to engage in the development and implementation of CMIF-related infrastructure projects.