Canadian Foundation for Innovation and Research
Investing in
knowledge.
We fund scholarships, research, and seed grants through Canada's designated institutions.
CFIR-funded program at YEDI, Toronto
What We Fund
Three funding areas.
Full tuition across three CFIR-funded programs at YEDI
Applied entrepreneurship research
Non-repayable launch funding for graduates
Year One Results
50
scholarships
funded
7
partners
3
funding areas
For Companies
Your investment goes
directly to programs.
Corporate partners fund scholarships and research. Every dollar tracked from pledge to outcome.
Designated Institution
All programs delivered by YEDI.
York Entrepreneurship Development Institute — Toronto-based, Board-approved. Eligibility, enrollment, and program details are managed by YEDI.
Visit YEDI →Governance
Federal corporation.
Built for accountability.
Incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act. Corporation No. 1674045-6. Voluntary Board of Directors. Published financial statements.
Our governance →
Building Canada's future
through education.
Explore
About CFIR
Programs
Get Involved
Get Involved
Ready to start?
Applications go through YEDI, our designated institution. Partnership inquiries go directly to CFIR.
Every
deserves a chance.
From learning to building — shaping Canada's future.
See our three focus areasWe make high-quality business education accessible to Canadian entrepreneurs through scholarships, research grants, and seed funding — partnering with designated institutions to ensure that financial barriers never prevent a promising founder from gaining the knowledge to build and grow a successful venture.
Designated
institutions
Where does education happen? Meet the designated institutions delivering CFIR-funded programs to entrepreneurs across Canada.
Meet our institutionsStories & News
Read more stories
CFIR launches integrated partnership model for Canadian corporations
A new framework allows corporate partners to fund scholarships, research, and seed grants through a single partnership.
From classroom to company: how one scholarship changed a founder's path
A scholarship recipient shares how access to education became the foundation of a growing venture in Ontario.
The research shaping cleantech strategy across Canada
A funded study explores how Canadian startups can enter green markets faster.
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Foundation facts
More about the foundation →Based on CFIR financial statements, November 2024 – October 2025.