Administered by Canada's regional development agencies (ACOA, CED, CanNor, FedNor, FedDev Ontario, PrairiesCan, PacifiCan) · Funded by Government of Canada, Defence Industrial Strategy
Repayable funding up to 75% of eligible costs for SMEs entering defence supply chains; non-repayable up to 90% for non-profits. Projects end March 31, 2028.
The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is a $379.2 million, three-year federal initiative delivered by Canada's seven regional development agencies to support Canada's defence and security needs while strengthening regional economic development. It aims to accelerate the integration of businesses and regional ecosystems into domestic and international defence supply chains and to increase their industrial and innovation capacity. Funding is available for eligible activities undertaken between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2028. Contributions to businesses, mainly SMEs, are repayable; FedNor, CED and PrairiesCan state a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, and PrairiesCan says repayable contributions are generally repaid with no interest over 5 years, starting 1 year after the project ends. Not-for-profit organizations that support businesses can receive non-repayable contributions of up to 90%, and eligible Indigenous recipients up to 100%. Projects must be driven by a defence or military need; dual-use projects need a defined and measurable military component. Each agency runs its own intake: as of October 9, 2026, FedNor assesses applications as received subject to funding, CED is accepting applications, PrairiesCan accepts applications until December 31, 2027 or until funding is used, ACOA asks applicants to contact a regional office, FedDev Ontario has paused intake, and PacifiCan's RDII page shows a status of not currently accepting applications.
The total program pool, per-organization max, and what your contribution has to be.
This program does not publish an aggregate annual funding pool.
Businesses: repayable contributions, generally up to 75% of eligible costs (FedNor, CED, PrairiesCan). Not-for-profits: generally non-repayable, up to 90%. Eligible Indigenous recipients: up to 100%. Most agencies publish no per-project maximum.
Run your business through the Grant Finder for a live eligibility check against every requirement in this program.
Tell us a few things about your business and we'll run a live eligibility check against this program — and surface every other Canadian program you qualify for.
Find your matches →RDII is a defence-first program, not a general manufacturing fund. The question every agency asks is what specific military need the project serves and which defence supply chain you are entering. For businesses the money is repayable, so treat it as patient, low-cost capital and plan the repayment. Intake depends on your region: FedNor, CED and PrairiesCan were taking applications on October 9, 2026, while FedDev Ontario and PacifiCan were not. Projects must finish by March 31, 2028; in our view, a project that needs more than about 18 months should start soon.
The practical sequence, from a firm that files these claims every week.
RDII is delivered by the regional development agency where the project takes place. Check that agency's RDII page: some are accepting applications, some have paused.
Document the defence customer, prime contractor or supply chain you are entering and the specific military requirement the project serves. Dual-use projects need a defined, measurable military component.
FedNor and ACOA point applicants to an officer or regional office; PrairiesCan offers a phone line (1-888-338-9378). Use the conversation to test fit and the funding type.
Apply through the agency's portal or application process with the project plan, budget, quotes, financial statements and confirmation of other funding sources.
The agency assesses the project and your capacity to deliver by March 31, 2028. Funding is not guaranteed and depends on available budget.
What you need ready before you apply.
GovMoney's team can prepare, submit, and defend your RDII application end-to-end.
PhDs, CPAs, and ex-CRA auditors prepare, submit, and defend your application — audit-ready, on a success-fee basis. You stay focused on the business; we handle the forms, the narrative, and the back-and-forth with the agency.
Book a free consult →Questions we get from applicants every week.
Not for businesses. Contributions to businesses are repayable. FedNor, CED and PrairiesCan state a maximum of 75% of eligible costs, and PrairiesCan says repayable contributions are generally repaid with no interest over 5 years, starting 1 year after the project ends. Non-profits that support businesses can receive non-repayable contributions, generally up to 90%.
As of October 9, 2026: FedNor (Northern Ontario) assesses applications as received, subject to funding; CED (Quebec) is accepting applications; PrairiesCan accepts applications until December 31, 2027 or until funding is used; ACOA asks applicants to contact a regional office. FedDev Ontario has paused intake and PacifiCan's page shows a status of not currently accepting applications.
Yes. Projects must be driven by a defence or military need. Dual-use projects qualify only when they have a defined and measurable military component.
FedNor and PrairiesCan allow costs up to 12 months before the application is received, but never earlier than April 1, 2025. All projects must be completed by March 31, 2028.
RDII is a $379.2 million, three-year national initiative split across the seven regional development agencies. ACOA's share is $38.2 million. Most agencies publish no per-project maximum; FedDev Ontario listed $125,000 to $10 million and PacifiCan $100,000 to $10 million, but both were not taking applications on October 9, 2026.
Changes to the program tracked by our team.
Intake check: FedNor, CED and PrairiesCan taking applications; ACOA by contact with a regional office; FedDev Ontario intake paused; PacifiCan page status shows not currently accepting applications.
Combinations our team files together for meaningful uplift, with live deadlines.
Three concrete moves. Do them yourself or hand off to GovMoney.
Add this program to your watchlist and get personalized deadline alerts, plus every other Canadian program that matches your business.