Webinar featuring Juliana Lisi | Funding opportunities for SAF innovation

Accelerating Canada's sustainable aviation transition through collaboration, innovation, and funding.

The aviation sector is facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions while maintaining growth and competitiveness. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is widely recognized as one of the most effective pathways to decarbonize air transportation in the near and medium term. To help organizations better understand available support mechanisms and funding opportunities, Strix and the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF) hosted a webinar on July 8, 2026, titled “Funding Opportunities for SAF Innovation”. 

The session featured Julien Caudroit, Vice President, External Relations and Business Development at Strix, and Juliana Lisi, Sustainability and SAF Manager at C-SAF. Together, they explored how Canadian organizations can access funding, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate projects that support the development and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.  

What is SAF and why does it matter? 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) refers to low-carbon aviation fuels produced from renewable or sustainable feedstocks. SAF offers one of the most practical solutions for reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from aviation while leveraging existing aircraft and airport infrastructure. As the aviation industry works toward net-zero emissions by 2050, scaling SAF production and adoption has become a national and global priority.

How INSAT can support SAF innovation 

The Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) was highlighted as a key enabler for projects aimed at advancing sustainable aviation technologies, including alternative fuel development, fuel integration, certification support, infrastructure solutions, and related aerospace innovations. The program is designed to bring together industry partners and researchers capable of addressing some of aviation’s most pressing sustainability challenges.  

During the webinar, both speakers emphasized that many organizations developing SAF-related technologies may already be eligible for support through existing innovation programs. For example, SAF technology development, pilot or demo plants, and operationalization. 

For organizations interested in developing SAF technologies or supporting related supply chains, INSAT provides both funding opportunities and access to a broad network of aerospace partners. Its collaborative model is particularly valuable for companies looking to move technologies from concept to commercialization. In fact, the INSAT program is already supporting several SAF and alternative fuel projects throughout their five waves of announced projects. 

The C-SAF Roadmap: Charting the Path Forward 

The webinar also highlighted the C-SAF Roadmap, a national strategy designed to accelerate the development of a Canadian Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry. The roadmap identifies key opportunities to strengthen the entire SAF value chain, from feedstock production and fuel manufacturing to distribution and adoption by airlines. It serves as a practical guide for industry, government, and investors working to scale SAF production, attract investment, and support Canada’s aviation decarbonization goals.  

For organizations pursuing SAF projects, the roadmap helps identify priority areas for innovation and investment while aligning initiatives with broader industry objectives.  

How can organizations access SAF funding? 

A central theme of the discussion was that successful SAF projects rarely happen in isolation. Funding opportunities are often strongest when organizations demonstrate collaboration, industry relevance, and a clear pathway toward commercialization. 

The presenters encouraged participants to: 

  • Align projects with Canada’s aviation decarbonization objectives 
  • Engage early with industry stakeholders and potential partners 
  • Build strong consortium-based approaches where appropriate 
  • Explore programs such as INSAT and other federal, provincial, and industry-supported initiatives 

Organizations seeking support through INSAT were advised to begin by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) and engaging with our regional program representatives to assess project eligibility and partnership opportunities: David Nolet (QC, NB, NS, PE, NL), Rachel Nijssen (ON, MB, SK), and Reg Faubert (BC, AB, YT, NT, NU) 

Building Canada’s SAF ecosystem 

The webinar reinforced an important message: At Strix, we are building a network to foster innovation and collaboration across industry by providing consulting, partner matching and networking opportunities within the industry. Canada’s sustainable aviation future will depend on collaboration across industry, government, academia, technology developers, and investors. 

As demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel continues to grow, organizations that position themselves early, build strategic partnerships, and leverage available funding programs will be best placed to contribute to the next generation of aviation innovation. C-SAF is contributing by providing an online communication platform for the entire SAF community. 

Through initiatives such as INSAT and the leadership of organizations like C-SAF, Canada is building the foundations of a domestic SAF ecosystem that can support economic growth, strengthen aerospace competitiveness, and advance the industry’s journey toward net-zero emissions.  

More News