GET STARTED
APPLICATION PROCESS
OCIF provides milestone-based, matching grant funding for projects that strengthen our city's workforce and economy. If you have a project or business that can deliver tangible economic benefits for Calgary, we want to hear from you.
WHO CAN APPLY
We fund a wide range of initiatives. These can be based locally, nationally or internationally—as long as the project is located in and delivers measurable benefits to Calgary. We target to fund up to 35 per cent of the proposed project's budget. Any matching contributions must be monetary.
Eligible organizations:
- Non-profit/not-for-profit organizations
- For-profit organizations
- Public entities
Projects must:
- Focus on economic diversification, technology-driven innovation, skills training and economic resilience
- Attract, create and retain jobs
- Have specific, measurable outcomes
- Have a detailed project budget with multiple funding sources
- Be located in Calgary
WHAT WE FUND
We fund:
Every project is unique, but examples of eligible costs include:
- Training and workforce development
- Program development
- Salary and contractor costs
We don’t fund:
- Product / prototype development or commercialization activities of individual companies
- Business-as-usual activities
- Communications, marketing or public relations
- Working capital
- Municipal tax relief
- Market research
OCIF’S TWO-STAGE APPLICATION PROCESS
First stage
In the first stage, you'll start with a pre-screening questionnaire that outlines what your project is, why it's innovative and how it benefits Calgary. This helps us check core eligibility—such as location and expected economic impact.
Certain questions require written responses. Use these to clearly explain your opportunity and the value it creates. Specific, detailed answers help us understand the strength of your proposal and whether it’s ready to move forward.
Second stage
If your project advances beyond the pre-application stage, you'll be invited to submit a formal application and business case. Stage two takes a deeper look at your business, project plan, budget and expected outcomes. Applicants will be asked to supply:
- Financial information for the past two fiscal years and most recent quarter
- Pro-forma income statement for duration of the project
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Consider the following:
- Is your company registered to do business in Canada?
- Will your project create jobs or training opportunities for Calgarians?
- Does your project support or create meaningful impact for the local innovation ecosystem?
READY TO APPLY?
Think you might qualify for OCIF funding? Let’s get started with the Stage one questionnaire.
