CELTIC-NEXT Next Generation Communications Spring 2026 call for proposals

In Canada this call for proposals is offered through the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). NRC IRAP funding is only available for eligible Canadian small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Project participants who are not eligible for funding are welcome to participate on a self-funded basis.

• The Canadian applicant must meet all the following criteria:
  • be an incorporated, profit-oriented small or medium sized enterprise (SME) in Canada (defined as having 500 or fewer full-time equivalent employees)
  • have been in operation for a minimum of 12 months prior to the project proposal deadline specified above
  • have a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees, by the Canadian registration deadline specified above
  • pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada
  • have a differentiated and protectable technology with commercial potential in global markets
  • have the financial capacity (working capital, sales revenue, investment, etc.) and the operational capacity (personnel, expertise, resources, etc.) to undertake an international multi-year R&D collaboration while maintaining regular operations, and to subsequently commercialize the results
  • be committed to significant growth through international market expansion
• Preference may be given to SME applicants that meet the criteria below
  • have a minimum of 15 full‑time equivalent (FTE) employees located in Canada (on your company payroll and issued a T4), excluding contract employees
  • have commercialized 1 or more products internationally
  • have more than $500,000 CAD in annual sales revenue.Example of how to count a full-time equivalent employee
    Your company has 5 part-time employees on its payroll. Each employee works one day per week. Over one year, these employees represent the equivalent of 1 full-time employee.

Canadian SME applicants must be eligible for funding as NRC IRAP clients before they can be considered for funding through the call for proposals. For more information on NRC IRAP eligibility and becoming an NRC IRAP client, please contact NRC IRAP at 1-877-994-4727.