The Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF), is a research and development (R&D) funding program designed to accelerate commercialization of game-changing technological innovations in the province’s core sectors.

Through SAIF, Innovation Saskatchewan (IS) provides non-repayable grants to projects that address a specific industry challenge. To apply, please see below.

Target Sectors

SAIF will accept applications for R&D projects related to the following areas:

• Mining
• Energy
• Manufacturing and Processing
• Healthcare

Eligibility Criteria

All applications must meet the following criteria to be considered for funding:

1. Proposed by a group of active private sector partners that represent the project’s value chain (researchers, those involved in the production/supply process, and customer/end users).
   • Active partner: participating in the project either through cash and/or in-kind contribution, equity investment, and/or letter of intent to purchase.
   • Project must be led by a Saskatchewan-based organization*. Preference will be given to lead proponents with headquarters in Saskatchewan. The project group can consist of non-Saskatchewan organizations, providing the majority of the group have headquarter presence in Saskatchewan. 
   • Priority is given to proposals that have an academic partner from a Saskatchewan post-secondary or research institute.
2. Demonstrate how the technological innovation will solve a specific industry challenge and benefit the sector as a whole, not just individual companies.
3. Technological solutions must be novel and innovative.
4. Demonstrate a feasible path to commercialization and how the benefits of the project will be sustained over the long-term.
5. Industry partners must provide 50% or more of the project’s budget. The amount requested from IS is no more than 30% of the proposed budget.

*Projects led by non-Saskatchewan organizations with innovative technologies of significant benefit to Saskatchewan will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. IS reserves full discretion to declare the lead proponent ineligible.

Intake Periods

Intakes for SAIF are held twice per fiscal year. To be considered for funding, prospective applicants must submit an EOI and complete the “Eligibility Questionnaire” via the application portal link below before the intake deadline. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Shortlist decisions made by IS’ internal selection committee are final.

In years where applicants exceed available funding, only proposals determined to be most strategically aligned with the province’s R&D priorities will be invited to submit full proposals. The number of grants approved per year will be based on budget availability.

Below are important dates for each intake periods:

How to Apply:

Prospective applicants must apply through the online application portal:

Online Application Portal

For more information, please contact Matthew Hayduk at matthew.hayduk@innovationsask.ca

Important Documents

• Program Guidelines