Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program
Advancing the commercial readiness of emerging mineral processing operations or technologies
The Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program (CMRDD) is providing $192.1 million in federal funding to support the development of innovative processing technologies for the critical minerals industry, which will help advance Canadian mining projects toward production and further develop domestic critical minerals value chains.
The CMRDD is administered through two funding streams:
Federal research and development projects
Closed for applications
Funds federal research and development (R&D) projects that are aligned with industry needs and supported by several of Canada’s federal research facilities
Project applications for phase 2 are currently in review and projects will be announced in spring 2024.
Contribution funding
Closed for applications
Funds to advance technological solutions for the production of critical minerals at several stages, such as processing, downstream product manufacturing and recycling
Project applications for phase 2 are currently in review and funding decisions will be announced in spring 2024.
Background
Allocations for both CMRDD program streams will be made over two phases:
Phase 1: 2022 to 2024
In phase 1, $35.7 million was allocated to 30 R&D projects, undertaken by federal research laboratories, and focused on battery minerals, mining value from waste, clean tech and other value from waste, while $14.1 million in contribution funding was allocated to eight pilot plant and demonstration projects to validate the feasibility and viability of processing technologies.
Learn more about the R&D projects from phase 1. Details of contribution funding to projects are coming soon.
Phase 2: 2024 to 2027
Federal research and development (in-kind)
Up to $104.4 million of in-kind federal R&D support (no direct funding) will be allocated to support upstream and midstream projects at low to mid technology readiness levels (TRL) 2–5 with the capacity to:
- make significant positive impacts on the critical minerals industry in Canada
- help propel them into the pilot and demonstration (pre-commercialization) phase of development
Status: This call for applications is closed.
Contribution funding
Up to $40 million will be allocated to support midstream projects at technology readiness levels 6–8 to advance the commercial readiness of emerging processing technologies and provide raw material inputs for use in:
- batteries and permanent magnets
- advanced manufacturing supply chains
- semiconductors
- information and communication technologies
- critical infrastructure value chains for commercialization
Status: This call for applications is closed.
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