You can often combine funding from multiple programs for the same project — this is called stacking. Done right, it multiplies what you get. Done wrong, it disqualifies you.
A classic stack: federal IRAP funding + a provincial innovation grant + the SR&ED tax credit, all on one R&D project. On average, each program lists about five compatible stacking partners, and SR&ED is the most common one — 43 programs reference it in their documentation.
But some programs explicitly forbid receiving other government support for the same costs. And in many provinces a total-funding cap (often around 75% of project cost from all government sources combined) limits how much you can stack. Two rules:
- Always read each program's terms on stacking before assuming you can combine.
- Track your combined government funding so you don't blow past a cap and become ineligible.
The takeaway: stacking is one of the biggest levers in grant funding — deliberately combine grants, credits, and loans, but check the rules on each so the combination doesn't sink you.