To qualify for funding, all project proposals must be collaborative industry-led initiatives, consisting of a lead applicant and multiple partners, that are incorporated in Canada.

While Partners will generally be for-profit businesses, not-for-profit organizations that facilitate and fund research and development and whose funding is received primarily from private-sector organizations will also be eligible. Other publicly funded not-for-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions, federal Crown corporations, and government departments or agencies are not eligible to receive CFIN funding.