Open Intake Call for Proposals
The Grid Innovation Fund (GIF) is not accepting applications at this time.
Subscribe to the IESO Bulletin to stay up-to-date on GIF updates and calls. Please email the GIF team if you have any questions about the fund.
Applications for projects designed to pilot, and in some cases develop, innovative technologies, practices, services, research, and programs are welcomed under the Grid Innovation Fund. Projects must present a significant opportunity for ratepayer savings, either directly by enabling customers to better manage their own electricity use, or indirectly by reducing the costs associated with maintaining a reliable electricity system. This includes projects seeking to increase competition for the provision of products and services in Ontario electricity markets.
Please refer to the Grid Innovation Fund Application Guideline for full eligibility criteria. Applicants are strongly encouraged to carefully review the Guideline before drafting and submitting an application.
The Grid Innovation Fund does not provide funding to individuals, including incorporated individuals and sole proprietorships. With the exception of waste energy recovery initiatives, projects relating to the research, development and demonstration of transmission, distribution and electricity generation (e.g. , solar, wind, waterpower, and fossil fuels) technologies are also not eligible for funding.
Application Form
After reviewing the Application Guideline, applicants should use the prescribed template and submit a completed Project Overview Application to gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca during an intake window. Applications submitted not using the prescribed template will not be considered.
An IESO Business & Technical Review Committee will review applications based on:
- Strategic fit
- Potential market or program design impact
- Capacity building impact
- Market, program or technical advance
- Project team and partners
- Local hydro company involvement (if applicable)
- Project funding
- Project purpose and outcomes
- Project design
If the Project Overview Application is accepted, a representative from the Grid Innovation Fund will invite the applicant to submit a full proposal. Allow up to two months for the project proposal to be reviewed, evaluated and revised.
Projects seeking support from the IESO Grid Innovation Fund where new inverter-based equipment will be installed must comply with the IESO Interim Requirements for the Application of IEEE 1547-2018.
Documents referenced on this page, but not posted, can be obtained by contacting gridinnovationfund@ieso.ca with a link to the web page that lists the document and advise whether it needs to be provided in an accessible format. Please allow a minimum of one business day for a response.