Indirect costs (overhead) are general business expenses that support your project but cannot be directly tied to specific project activities.
Examples of Indirect Costs
Administrative expenses (HR, finance, office staff)
Office supplies and consumables
Utilities (power, HVAC, lighting)
Rent, property taxes, and depreciation
Equipment maintenance and office equipment
Employee benefits (CPP, EI, health benefits)
How Indirect Costs Are Handled
Automatically included in your funding.
No invoices or proof of payment required.
Cost Limits
Standard limits:
Up to 55% of eligible direct labour costs
Maximum 15% of total eligible project costs
Alternative limits (if low labour or high subcontractor costs):
Up to 5% of subcontractor/consultant costs
Maximum 15% of total eligible project costs
Program-Specific Rules
Indirect costs are not available in all programs. Always check the program guide for specifics, or reach out to innovation@cfin-rcia.ca with any questions.