NGen has launched its Moonshot 4 Mining, Minerals and Manufacturing (M4M3) initiative, a $5M program designed to support the development of novel In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) solutions for mining, minerals and manufacturing for both lunar and terrestrial environments.
NGen is seeking projects with dual-use applications that will strengthen Canada’s technological leadership in space and help revitalize the long-term competitiveness of our most important industrial sectors.
Background & Guidance Documents
The M4M3 program will lead to next-generation innovations that help tackle the challenges of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, leveraging Canada’s strengths in fields like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, quantum sensing, and additive manufacturing that can then be re-applied back on earth. These innovations will have direct and positive impacts on environmental sustainability, productivity, talent and job creation in Canada’s mining, energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
This initiative is undertaken with the financial support of the CSA, following an Announcement of opportunity.
Project Requirements Projects must focus on the development of an advanced manufacturing technology or process to improve ISRU.
Project teams can submit a proposal for the following project types:
Novel mining processes that would promote ISRU
Processing, refinement, and production of critical minerals inan ISRU context.
Advanced manufacturing technologies for ISRU
Eligible projects must meet NGen's four core strategic criteria:
Transformative: must confer significant competitive advantage to Canadian industry
Collaborative: project must demonstrate meaningful collaboration with a minimum of two Canadian industry partners
Applied: project must have a short to medium path to commercialization, and generate significant commercial and economic benefits
Enduring: project must provide broader benefits to Canada’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem
Eligibility Requirements
Please refer to Application Guide for detailed Eligibility Requirements (coming soon).
Key Dates & Deadlines
Program launch : November 7th 2023 Project Development: November 2023 – January 2024
First Round of Application Expression of Interest: January 11th 2024 Financial Due Diligence: January 16th 2024 Final Application: January 18th 2024 5PM EST
Second Round of Application (if funding remains) Expression of Interest: February 15th 2024 5PM EST Financial Due Diligence: February 16th 2024 Final Application: February 22nd 2024 5PM EST
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