SD Tech Fund – Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Receive up to $2,000,000 to $4,000,000 in Grant Funding.
Without requiring repayment of funds or ownership of intellectual property, Sustainable Development Technology Canada helps achieve national environmental goals of improving water, soil and air quality and reducing the effects of climate change. The fund supports late stage development of pre-commercialization strategies of Clean Technologies. Projects are evaluated based on capabilities in technology, marketing, and business (funding and partnerships). Supports cost of capital items, goods and services, labour costs, and depreciation expenses.
800+
Annual Funding Applications Supported
Apply for This Funding Program
Give your application the best chance of approval. Ryan supports the writing of applications for more than 100 Canadian federal and provincial government grants, tax credits, and no-interest loan programs.
Amount of Funding
The SD Tech Fund, administered by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), provides significant non-repayable funding to support the development, demonstration, and commercialization of innovative clean technologies.
Eligible projects may receive up to 40% of total project costs, with funding contributions typically ranging from $2 million to $4 million per project. On average, SDTC funds approximately 33% of eligible project costs, with an average contribution of approximately $3 million.
Funding is provided over the course of the project and is generally distributed within a period of five years or less.
The SD Tech Fund is designed to help Canadian companies bridge the gap between technology development and commercial deployment by reducing the financial risks associated with scaling innovative cleantech solutions.
Funding levels are assessed based on:
- Total project budget
- Technology maturity and readiness
- Commercialization potential
- Environmental impact
- Market opportunity
- Consortium participation and project partnerships
- Expected economic benefits to Canada
Applicants are expected to secure matching funding from private-sector investors, project partners, customers, or other sources.
Eligible Applicants
The SD Tech Fund supports Canadian companies developing innovative technologies that address environmental challenges while creating economic benefits.
To be eligible, applicants must generally:
- Be a Canadian-incorporated company
- Have a clearly defined clean technology project
- Demonstrate a strong customer or end-user value proposition
- Show evidence of market demand for the proposed solution
- Deliver measurable environmental and economic benefits for Canadians
Successful applicants typically possess:
- A validated technology with strong commercial potential
- An experienced management team
- A credible commercialization strategy
- The ability to attract industry partners or consortium participants
- Access to complementary funding sources
Projects are often supported by collaborations involving:
- Customers and end users
- Industry partners
- Investors
- Research institutions
- Demonstration partners
- Supply chain stakeholders
The program is particularly suited to companies that have moved beyond early-stage research and are preparing to validate, demonstrate, or scale their technology in real-world operating environments.
Eligible Activities
The SD Tech Fund supports projects that advance clean technologies toward commercialization and accelerate the adoption of innovative environmental solutions.
Eligible projects typically focus on:
- Technology demonstration
- Pilot-scale deployment
- Commercial validation
- Product scale-up
- Process optimization
- Market readiness activities
- First commercial implementation
Supported technologies may address environmental challenges related to:
- Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
- Clean energy production and storage
- Industrial decarbonization
- Sustainable agriculture
- Waste reduction and circular economy solutions
- Water treatment and conservation
- Clean transportation
- Resource efficiency
- Carbon capture and utilization
Eligible project costs may include:
- Labour and personnel expenses
- Equipment and capital expenditures
- Materials and supplies
- Professional and technical services
- Prototype development
- Testing and validation activities
- Depreciation expenses related to project assets
The primary objective of SDTC funding is to help companies demonstrate both the technical performance and commercial viability of their technology, enabling them to secure their first paying customers and attract additional private investment.
Projects should clearly demonstrate how the technology solves a significant environmental challenge while generating measurable economic value.
Program Deadline
Speak with a member of our team to find the latest intake period info for this program or subscribe to our newsletter to be notified.
The SD Tech Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year, allowing companies to submit project proposals when they are ready.
Although there is no fixed annual deadline, the application process is rigorous and includes multiple stages of technical, business, financial, and environmental review. Companies are encouraged to begin planning well in advance of their desired project start date.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
- Detailed project plans and timelines
- Technology descriptions and validation data
- Commercialization strategies
- Market opportunity assessments
- Financial projections
- Environmental impact analysis
- Funding and partnership commitments
- Risk management and implementation plans
Because SDTC funding is highly competitive, successful applications typically demonstrate strong technical merit, a compelling business case, measurable environmental benefits, and a clear path to commercialization.
Speak with a Ryan government funding advisor to determine whether your clean technology project aligns with SDTC eligibility requirements and to develop a competitive application strategy for the SD Tech Fund.
Average of
Time Saving
95%
Throughout the application process
Apply for Funding
Successfully applying for the right funding program at the right time, focusing on the right topics is no easy challenge. We provide an average 95% time savings to our clients, compared to businesses that apply for funding in-house.
Related News
-
Government Invests $3.2 Million in Northern Ontario Film Industry
Discover how Ontario’s $3.2 million investment in northern film projects through the NOHFC is boosting Sudbury’s economy.
-
Canadian Business Insights: Report Shows Lack of Indigenous Representation in B.C.’s Tech Sector
A recent report by the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) sheds light on the current state of Indigenous representation in tech and calls to address systemic barriers in B.C.
-
Six Northern Ontario Film Projects Receive Funding from NOHFC
The NOHFC supports Canadian economic prosperity with financial assistance for growth, job creation, and skills development.
-
NOHFC Invests $6M in Ontario’s Agri-food Sector
Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Ontario government is providing more than $6 million to 17 agri-food projects in Northern Ontario.
