Business Financing in Canada
Funding is a crucial element for any business looking to start, grow, or innovate. In addition to traditional options such as bank loans or relying on investors, there is a frequently underestimated alternative: grants. This detailed guide explores the various sources of grants available, as well as the financial services and sustainable funding strategies for businesses in Canada. By following the outlined steps, entrepreneurs can identify grants suited to their projects, whether they are government programs, innovation funds, or initiatives specifically targeting certain sectors. Grants are an advantageous solution, often non-repayable, allowing businesses to fund their projects without resorting to debt.

OTF — Organizational Mentors
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Up to 15% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Genomics Data Connect: Accelerating Agriculture Innovation
Genome Alberta- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Tourism Sprint Program
Destination Canada- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Public administration

Strategic sectors
PROMPT- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Black Youth Mentorship Program
Hamilton Center for Civic Inclusion (HCCI)- No Condition
- All industries

Water reduction program for paper mills
Gouvernement du Québec- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

PacifiCan — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund in British Columbia
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- All industries

CanNor — Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)- No Condition
- All industries

ACOA — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Artiste en résidence canadien en début de carrière dans le domaine de l'urbanisme
University of Toronto (UOFT)- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

OTF — Community Building Fund - Operating Stream
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- From $10,000 to $250,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

FPACN Justice Grant Program
Black Opportunity Fund (BOF)- From $25,000 to $100,000
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

PrairiesCan — Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund in the Prairie provinces
Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)- From $250,000 to $3,000,000
- All industries

CED — Black Entrepreneurship Program
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- All industries

Anti-Racism Grant
Government of Alberta- Up to 15% of project cost
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

OTF — Community Building Fund – Capital Stream
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Dedicated Fund for the English-Speaking Communities of Quebec – Community Life
Canadian Heritage- Up to 100% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Trellis Micro-grants
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

CQRDA — PSIAL
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
- Manufacturing

PROMPT — Artificial intelligence
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Business Scale-up and Productivity in British Columbia
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)- From $200,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

innovÉÉ — FiabilitÉÉ
innovÉÉ- Up to 40% of project cost
- Utilities

College and Community social innovation Fund
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)- Maximum amount : 120,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- From $1,000 to $2,000
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Quebec Strategic Electric Supply Platform (PASQÉ)
Quebec Electrical Industry Association (AIEQ)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
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innovÉÉ — INNOV-R — SME
innovÉÉ- Maximum amount : 450,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Guidance grants
Quebec City- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

Food Safety and Growth Initiative
Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing

Interactive Digital Media Fund — Production
Government of Ontario- From $25,000 to $300,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREP) – Indigenous-Led Clean Energy stream
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Hosting
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Heat Green
Environnement Québec (MELCC)- Maximum amount : 1,275 $
- All industries

Programme d’habitation abordable Québec - Volet 2 : Projets pour personnes ayant des besoins particuliers en habitation
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Up to 80% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing

MTRIC — PSO SME
Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing

Community Opportunity Fund
Youth Employment Services (Yes)- No Condition
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Customized Export Development Training Program
Ontario's North Economic Development Corporation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries

SODEC — Support for strategic projects
Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Studies and consulting services
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Project Funding for organizations
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

OMIF — Music Creation
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Enhanced Capacity Advancement Program (ECAP)
Government of Alberta- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Wood Construction Innovation Program
Gouvernement du Québec- From $400,000 to $2,500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Public administration

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Digital development of a company
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

DIANA — Challenge Call
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)- From $100,000 to $400,000
- All industries

Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Technology Internships
Canadian Heritage- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Long-Term Projects
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Company Envelope: Top-Tier
Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTR)- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

ICD-RBC Foundation Scholarship
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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Nonprofit Transformation Partner Certification Program
CharityVillage- No Condition
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Account Receivable and Payable Monetization
National Bank of Canada (NBC)- No Condition
- Finance and insurance

Sustainable Affordable Housing
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)- No Condition
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Public administration

Non-refundable contributions
Corporation de développement économique montagnaise (CDEM)- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Study: New construction of municipal buildings
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Public administration

Northern Alberta Teacher Award
Government of Alberta- From $9,000 to $18,000
- Educational services

ClimaSol-Plus Program
Quebec Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques- No Condition
- All industries

Urban forestry plans and studies
Green Municipal Fund (GMF)- Maximum amount : 175,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Public administration

Econologis Program
Environnement Québec (MELCC)- No Condition
- All industries

Support Fund for Businesses in La Mitis (FAEM)
La Mitis RCM (MRC)- From $1,000 to $10,000
- All industries

Emergency Management FireSmart Program
Indigenous Services Canada- No Condition
- All industries

OTF — Economic Recovery and Resilience Fund
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

CAF Women in Sport Program 2025-2026
Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS)- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration

Future Foundation of Youth (FFY)
Calgary Newcomers Guide (CNG)- Maximum amount : 2,800 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Territorial Development Support Policy – Component 1: Support for regional outreach
MRC de Manicouagan- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

INVEST North Program — Innovation Stream
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Apiculture Support Program
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

PROMPT — Quantum Technologies
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Productivity and Sustainable Innovation Fund – Component 3: Project Implementation, It's time to take action!
NexDev | Haut-Richelieu Economic Development- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing

Women Entrepreneurship Fund (WEF)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- From $10,000 to $100,000
- Up to 10% of project cost
- All industries

Extend the employment periods of your staff — Partnership and workforce matching component
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Trois-Rivières — Revitalization of commercial arteries in the city's oldest neighborhoods – Stream 1: Renovation of commercial storefronts
City of Trois-Rivières- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Real estate and rental and leasing

WinterTech Development
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Financial assistance program aimed at optimizing Quebec's network of eco-centers
Recyc-Québec- From $30,000 to $400,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Productivity and Sustainable Innovation Fund – Stream 1: Company consultations/micro-diagnosis and selection assistance
NexDev | Haut-Richelieu Economic Development- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)
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Laval Économique — Sustainable transition
Laval Economique- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Productivity and Sustainable Innovation Fund – Component 2: Feasibility study - audit towards a 4.0 transition
NexDev | Haut-Richelieu Economic Development- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing

OVIN — Electric Vehicle (EV) — Stream 1
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Arts Across Canada — Public Outreach
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PROMPT — Collaborative Innovation
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Grand Challenges Canada
Grand Challenges Canada- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Grid Innovation Fund
Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)- From $1,000,000 to $4,750,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Explore and Create — Research and Creation
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Community Support Program - Municipal Component
La Mitis RCM (MRC)- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Public administration

PRIMA — PARTENAR-IA — Industry
Advanced Materials Research and Innovation Hub (PRIMA)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Arts Across Canada — Foreign Artist Tours
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PROMPT — GHG Reduction – SME Component
PROMPT- Maximum amount : 450,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 1
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration

iRAPID
Innovation Initiatives Ontario North- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

RCM Vallée-Du-Richelieu — Creavenir
RCM Vallée-Du-Richelieu- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Enabling Accessibility Fund — Small projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Construction
- Retail trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries

Triple-P
Innovation Initiatives Ontario North- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Powering the future: Solid-state hydrogen storage for military platforms
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Public administration

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Festivals and events
Tourisme Côte-Nord- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Enabling Accessibility Fund 2026 Call for Proposals
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- From $500,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Canada–Germany 2026 Quantum collaborative industrial research and development call for proposals
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- Maximum amount : 700,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

SMART Cluster's 9th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- No Condition
- Manufacturing

Electric Vehicle (EV) — Stream 2
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

ÉcoPerformance — Simplified Implementation
Gouvernement du Québec- From $100,000 to $250,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration