💡 Stage 1: Ideation & Research Funding

Stage 1: Ideation & Research Funding Canada 2026

Access up to $1M in early-stage research and concept development funding through NSERC Discovery Grants, university research programs, and basic R&D support. Fund your innovative ideas from initial concept through proof-of-concept validation.

Explore Research Programs View All Innovation Stages

$1M

Maximum Funding Available

15+

Early-Stage Programs

100%

Non-Repayable Grants

TRL 1-3

Technology Readiness Level

Major Stage 1: Ideation & Research Programs

NSERC Discovery Grants Program

Up to $1M/5 years

Basic Research

Multi-Year

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's flagship program supporting ongoing basic research programs with long-term goals, fostering innovation and discovery in natural sciences and engineering.

Research Areas:

• Natural sciences and engineering
• Fundamental research programs
• Long-term research objectives
• Novel concepts and methodologies

Program Features:

• 5-year funding cycles
• Research independence and flexibility
• Student training support
• Equipment and infrastructure funding

SSHRC Insight Grants - Social Sciences Research

Up to $400K

Social Research

2-5 Years

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council support for research excellence in social sciences, humanities, and arts, enabling researchers to pursue original investigations.

Research Disciplines:

• Social sciences and humanities
• Arts and creative research
• Policy and governance studies
• Cultural and societal research

Support Included:

• Research assistant funding
• Travel and fieldwork support
• Knowledge mobilization
• Dissemination activities

Mitacs Accelerate - University-Industry Research

$15K per internship

Collaborative

4-12 months

Research internship program connecting companies with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to work on innovation projects at early research stages.

Research Projects:

• Applied research problems
• Technology exploration
• Feasibility studies
• Market research and analysis

Program Benefits:

• Cost-share model (50/50)
• Access to university talent
• Flexible project duration
• Multiple internships possible

CIHR Project Grants - Health Research

Up to $750K

Health Research

1-5 Years

Canadian Institutes of Health Research funding for health-related research projects spanning biomedical, clinical, and health systems research at early stages.

Research Categories:

• Biomedical research
• Clinical research
• Health services research
• Population health studies

Funding Features:

• Flexible project duration
• Open competition format
• Peer review process
• Knowledge translation support

What Stage 1: Ideation & Research Covers

✅ Eligible Activities

Fundamental Research: Basic scientific investigations and exploratory studies

Concept Development: Initial ideation, hypothesis formulation, and theoretical frameworks

Literature Review: Comprehensive review of existing research and state-of-the-art

Preliminary Testing: Early lab experiments and feasibility assessments

Student Training: Graduate student and postdoctoral fellow support

🎯 Stage 1 Outcomes

Research Publications: Peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers

Proof of Concept: Validated theoretical concepts and preliminary data

IP Foundation: Patent applications and intellectual property establishment

Research Network: Collaboration opportunities and academic partnerships

Next Stage Readiness: Foundation for applied research and development (Stage 2)

Stage 1 Research Funding Success Strategies

✅ Best Practices

Novel Research Question: Demonstrate originality and significance of research

Strong Methodology: Clear experimental design and rigorous approach

Publication Track Record: Demonstrate research excellence and credibility

Collaboration Strategy: Build partnerships with other researchers and institutions

❌ Common Mistakes

Incremental Research: Lack of novelty or significant contribution to field

Weak Literature Review: Insufficient understanding of existing research

Unclear Methodology: Vague experimental design or research approach

Poor Budget Justification: Inadequate explanation of funding requirements

Ready to Fund Your Early-Stage Research?

Get expert help navigating Stage 1 ideation and research funding programs. Our specialists have secured $42M+ in NSERC Discovery Grants and early-stage research funding.

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78% success rate • $42M+ secured in NSERC and research grants • Expert guidance for all stages