Apply for CTS-RD funding

The Clean Transportation System – Research and Development (CTS-RD) Program is now closed.

The Clean Transportation System – Research and Development (CTS-RD) Program funds projects that help reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation, marine and rail sectors. We will contribute up to $600,000 in program funding annually.

Eligible recipients

To be eligible, you must show that you meet certain requirements. For example:

  • Your project is part of an existing program that addresses air pollutants and/or greenhouse gas emissions
  • You have the knowledge and capacity to complete the project
  • You will share your results

Eligible recipients may include:

  • Provinces, territories and municipalities
  • Indigenous groups
  • Public sector organizations
  • Not-for-profit and for-profit organizations
  • Academia
  • Individuals

Recipients will receive up to 50% of total eligible costs for their project.

For more information, refer to the applicant’s guide.

Conditions of funding

  • You may receive up to $100,000 per year, per project
  • You must prove that you have up-front funding
  • All projects must be completed by March 31, 2024
  • Projects may begin incurring eligible costs only once TC approves and confirms this in writing

Eligible activities

Eligible activities differ by mode (Aviation vs. Marine and Rail).

Marine and rail:

  • Feasibility studies, or pre-engineering studies necessary to define the appropriate scope, costs, and benefits of a demonstration project
  • Development of industrial codes and standards required by industry to commercialize a clean technology
  • Elements associated with the preparation, construction, acquisition, retrofit, improvement, and rehabilitation of assets necessary to carry out the demonstration project

Aviation:

  • Research and knowledge-sharing related to:
    • developing, evaluating or testing technologies that reduce or measure emissions
    • measuring emissions
    • understanding emissions and their impacts
  • Developing, testing, demonstrating, deploying and/or installing clean technologies
  • Supporting research, knowledge-sharing activities and solutions

For a complete list of eligible activities, refer to the applicant’s guide.

Eligible expenses

  • Staff salaries and benefits
  • Professional fees
  • Translation costs
  • Costs of preparing, constructing, installing or rehabilitating assets
  • Purchase or lease of assets, technology, equipment and supplies
  • Travel and administrative costs

For a complete list of eligible expenses, refer to the applicant’s guide.

What you need to know before you start

Read the applicant’s guide in full to help you prepare your funding application.

How to apply

  1. Contact Transport Canada by email to request the templates you will need to apply: tc.ctsrd-sterd.tc@tc.gc.ca.
  2. Read and follow the applicant’s guide to help you complete the project proposal template.
  3. Provide legal documentation confirming your organization is a legal entity.
  4. Ensure your application is signed, accurate and complete.
  5. Submit your application by email or mail. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions in place at Transport Canada offices, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their project proposals by email. We will confirm receipt of all application packages.

Email: tc.ctsrd-sterd.tc@tc.gc.ca

All electronic applications must be in MS Word, MS Excel or PDF format and must include original signatures.

Mailing address:

Clean Transportation System (R&D)
Transfer Payments Program
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street, Place de Ville – Tower C (AHSA)
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5