The College Research Development Fund (CRDF) was designed to help Canadian colleges, institutes, and their affiliated research centres develop and strengthen their research infrastructure in areas identified in their strategic research plans. Colleges could submit proposals for projects totaling up to $2 million in eligible costs with a maximum contribution of $800,000 from the CFI. The CFI invested $15.6 million under this fund. Since 2001, eligible institutions submit proposals to the Innovation Fund.