Regional defence investment initiative

Part of REGI

• The Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) aims to accelerate the development and integration of businesses and regional ecosystems into domestic and international defence supply chains and increase their industrial and innovation capacity.
• The RDII is a three-year temporary initiative.

Eligible clients include:

• SMEs that are active or looking to position themselves within the defence industry supply chain.
• Not-for-profit organizations (including industry associations and consortia, business accelerators and incubators, etc.,) that support SMEs.
• Indigenous recipients.
• Provincial and municipal authorities.

The ‘Eligible Activities’ tab specifies the type of projects that are prioritized.

To be eligible, you must demonstrate how your project meets current or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country.

In Quebec, the RDII prioritizes business growth and productivity projects: SME projects that will help them meet existing or future needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country, and that aim to:

• increase their production and innovation capacity;
• improve their productivity and competitiveness;
• explore and expand into new markets;
• meet defence certification/qualification standards;
• support business start-up and growth, with the aim of integrating into national or international defence supply chains;
• respond to calls for proposals from prime defence contractors and the Government of Canada.

On an exceptional and targeted basis, the RDII may support the development of regional innovation ecosystems through projects led by expert organizations that will help SMEs meet the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO or an allied country. CED will target organizations that demonstrate recognized expertise and operational capacity to provide high-quality, high-intensity support.

Financial support:

• For SMEs, contributions are generally repayable. Financial assistance may cover up to 75% of eligible costs.
• For non-profit organizations, contributions are generally non-repayable. Financial assistance may cover up to 90% of eligible costs.

Submitting a funding application:

DEC accepts funding applications under the RDII.

Submit a financial assistance application

Questions? Contact us