Digital Transformation Grants in New Brunswick for 2025

Q: How do I get a digital transformation grant in New Brunswick?

Start by mapping your goals to eligible programs such as CDAP, ACOA, NRC IRAP, and Opportunities NB. Prepare a digital maturity assessment, a phased roadmap, and quotes. Confirm match funding and timelines before applying. helloDarwin can connect you with vendor‑neutral advisors and streamline the full application workflow.

Q: What expenses are eligible for NB digital grants?

Typical items include advisory services, ERP/CRM software, POS upgrades, e‑commerce websites, cybersecurity audits, cloud migration, data analytics, and staff training. Many programs fund bilingual websites, accessibility (WCAG), and privacy compliance. Always verify caps and exclusions.

Q: Does CDAP cover POS systems or Shopify in NB?

CDAP’s technology adoption stream can support implementation of POS and e‑commerce platforms when tied to a digital roadmap and business outcomes. Expenses must meet eligibility rules and cost‑share limits. Check current guidelines for 2025 before purchasing.

Q: Can nonprofits and Indigenous or francophone businesses apply?

Yes, many programs accept nonprofits and prioritize inclusive access, including Indigenous business digital grants NB and francophone business digital grants NB. Bilingual deliverables and community impacts can strengthen applications. Confirm organization type and documentation.

Q: What match funding is required for NB technology adoption?

Many grants use cost‑share models from 25% to 50%+ of eligible costs, subject to caps. Wage subsidies and training vouchers may reduce cash outlay. Stacking is possible but limited by total public funding rules. Always check program‑specific percentages.

Q: How long do decisions take for NB digital grants?

Simple applications may be reviewed within weeks, while complex files (AI, robotics, multi‑site ERP) can take months. Build buffer time into your schedule and keep documentation audit‑ready. Clarifications and scope adjustments are common.

Q: Which program is better: CDAP or ACOA for NB projects?

They serve different purposes. CDAP often funds diagnostics and adoption roadmaps, while ACOA focuses on productivity, exports, and scaling implementation. Many firms use both: CDAP for planning and ACOA for delivery. Align with your objectives and cash flow.

Q: Are training and change management eligible in NB?

Yes, training and upskilling digital NB are commonly eligible, including ERP training grant NB and cybersecurity training subsidy NB. Define learning outcomes, hours, and curricula to support claims. Document attendance and results.

Q: How does helloDarwin help NB organizations secure funding?

helloDarwin combines expert consulting with a SaaS platform to identify programs, confirm eligibility, and manage applications and claims. It connects you to vendor‑neutral CDAP advisors, ACOA‑experienced consultants, and sector specialists. This reduces complexity and speeds up approvals while maintaining compliance.

Q: What makes a strong NB digital grant application in 2025?

Clear KPIs, a phased roadmap, multiple quotes, and a security‑by‑design approach. Include bilingual access, WCAG 2.2 accessibility, and PIPEDA compliance. Show economic impact (jobs, productivity, exports) and a realistic timeline with match funding secured.

Accelerate digital adoption with grants for ERP, e‑commerce, cybersecurity, and AI. Explore federal and provincial funding tailored to New Brunswick organizations.

Across New Brunswick, businesses and nonprofits can access digital transformation funding that supports technology adoption, productivity, and export growth. Programs span federal options such as CDAP, ACOA, and NRC IRAP, as well as provincial initiatives via Opportunities NB and ecosystem partners. This directory outlines eligibility, eligible expenses, and application steps for organizations in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, and throughout the province.

What are digital transformation grants in New Brunswick?

Digital transformation grants in New Brunswick are non-dilutive funding mechanisms that help organizations plan, adopt, and scale technology. These programs support investments in ERP/CRM systems, e‑commerce platforms, cybersecurity controls, data analytics, cloud migration, automation, robotics, and AI. Funding often takes the form of a non-repayable contribution, a matching grant (cost‑share), a forgivable loan, or a wage/training subsidy. In New Brunswick (NB), opportunities combine federal initiatives (e.g., CDAP grant New Brunswick, ACOA funding for digital projects, NRC IRAP digital transformation NB) with provincial and regional programs (Opportunities NB funding, NBIF funding digital, CBDC NB digital funding). The result is a layered landscape that can cover strategy, software, hardware, implementation, and skills development.

Why these grants matter for NB organizations

- They reduce risk and accelerate ROI on modernization initiatives such as Industry 4.0, e‑commerce enablement, and business process automation.

- They increase competitiveness for manufacturers, agri‑food, fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, retail, logistics, healthcare, education, and nonprofits.

- They enable bilingual website development, WCAG accessibility, PIPEDA privacy compliance, and export digitization for US markets.

Core programs and where to start in 2025

The New Brunswick funding mix includes well-known federal programs and Atlantic‑focused streams, complemented by provincial and community resources.

Federal programs relevant in NB

- Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) in New Brunswick

- Boost Your Business Technology NB: Supports digital maturity assessments, digital roadmaps, and technology adoption projects, often paired with the BDC digital adoption loan NB. Applicants typically engage vendor‑neutral advisors and implement ERP/CRM, POS, inventory management, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions.

- Grow Your Business Online NB: Historically offered micro‑grants for e‑commerce setup; local partners and Chambers may provide related digital adoption support or training opportunities.

- ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

- ACOA Business Development Program digital and ACOA REGI productivity digital funding help SMEs adopt technology that improves productivity, export capacity, and innovation. The Atlantic Innovation Fund also supports R&D and commercialization with digital components such as AI, data platforms, and IoT.

- NRC IRAP digital transformation NB

- NRC IRAP supports innovation projects that involve new digital products, AI proof of concepts, data analytics, or advanced process automation. It can co‑fund technical staff and advisory services for SMEs conducting R&D or pilot‑to‑scale deployments.

Provincial and ecosystem resources

- Opportunities NB funding (technology adoption, productivity, export readiness) can assist with software licensing funding NB, hardware upgrades grants NB, and training and upskilling digital NB.

- NBIF funding digital supports innovation, often complementing NRC IRAP or ACOA in technology development or commercialization.

- CBDC NB digital funding and Chambers of Commerce (Moncton digital grant, Fredericton and Saint John programming) sometimes provide small grants or advisory vouchers for e‑commerce, SEO/SEM funding NB, or digital skills.

- TechImpact NB programs and Service New Brunswick digital services offer knowledge resources and connections to advisors.

- Local hubs such as Planet Hatch Fredericton and Ignite Fredericton digital adoption initiatives connect startups to mentors and funding pathways.

Note: Program availability, budgets, and deadlines may change during 2025. Applicants should verify current criteria and dates with the relevant delivery partners.

What expenses are typically eligible?

Digital transformation grants commonly support a wide range of eligible costs when tied to a defined business outcome.

Strategy and discovery

- Digital maturity assessment NB and Industry 4.0 assessment to establish baselines and identify quick wins.

- Digital roadmap grant NB for phased investments, vendor selection, and risk management.

- Digital consultant grant NB for vendor‑neutral advisory, feasibility studies, and business cases.

Software and platforms

- ERP implementation funding NB, including cloud ERP for manufacturers NB and modules for finance, inventory, production, and MRP.

- CRM adoption grant NB, customer data platform grant NB, and marketing automation grant NB (e.g., HubSpot).

- POS system upgrades grant NB and inventory management system grant NB with barcode/RFID.

- e‑invoicing, accounting digitization funding NB, and procurement digital tools NB.

Infrastructure, cloud, and resilience

- Cloud migration funding NB (e.g., Microsoft 365, Azure, AWS), backup/disaster recovery grant NB, and data governance funding NB.

- 5G/edge pilot NB grant, IoT sensor funding NB for condition monitoring, and digital twin/IoT grant NB for operations optimization.

- Hardware upgrades grant NB (servers, networking, laptops/tablets subsidy NB) tied to the digital roadmap.

Cybersecurity and privacy

- Cybersecurity grant New Brunswick for cyber hygiene program, cyber audit grant New Brunswick, penetration testing funding NB, SOC/SIEM funding NB, and cyber insurance readiness grant NB.

- Privacy compliance funding NB for PIPEDA readiness, access controls, encryption, and incident response.

E‑commerce and digital marketing

- E‑commerce grant New Brunswick for website/ecommerce funding NB, Shopify/WooCommerce setup, marketplace integration grant NB, omnichannel retail funding NB, and retail digital signage funding NB.

- Bilingual website grant NB, website translation grants English‑French NB, and digital accessibility WCAG funding NB (e.g., WCAG 2.2).

- Digital marketing grant NB for SEO/SEM, email automation grant NB, ecommerce photography grant NB, and export e‑commerce incentive for US market entry.

Data, AI, automation, and robotics

- Data analytics grant New Brunswick (Power BI training, data pipelines), data strategy funding, and data governance frameworks.

- AI adoption funding NB for AI pilot grant NB, AI proof of concept grants NB 2025, machine vision funding NB, and robotics integration grant NB.

- Manufacturing MES/SCADA funding NB and supply chain digitization funding NB with logistics telematics funding NB.

Who is eligible and how much cost share is typical?

Eligibility varies by program, but common patterns apply across NB:

Typical applicants

- Incorporated SMEs (often 1–499 employees) aiming to modernize with ERP/CRM, cybersecurity, e‑commerce, or automation.

- Startups developing software or digital products (startup digital grant New Brunswick).

- Nonprofits and charities undergoing CRM for nonprofits NB grant projects or digital transformation grants NB.

- Indigenous and francophone businesses seeking Indigenous business digital grants NB or francophone business digital grants NB, including bilingual digital content.

- Tourism, hospitality, and retail organizations pursuing tourism digital grants New Brunswick and hospitality POS/ecommerce funding NB.

Match funding and stacking

- Many programs are matching grants (e.g., 50–75% cost share with caps).

- Stacking may be allowed across federal and provincial sources, but total public funding usually cannot exceed a set percentage of eligible costs.

- Combining CDAP (digital roadmap) with BDC digital adoption loan NB, then using ACOA REGI productivity digital for implementation, is a common pathway.

- Wage subsidy for digital roles and training vouchers digital NB can complement capital and software funding.

Always confirm current percentages, stacking rules, and eligible expense windows before committing to suppliers.

How to apply for digital adoption grants in NB (step‑by‑step)

A disciplined process improves approval odds and execution quality.

Step 1 — Define objectives and scope

- Tie the project to measurable outcomes: productivity, export growth, cybersecurity risk reduction, or customer experience.

- Select a vendor‑neutral advisor for a digital maturity diagnostic and roadmap.

Step 2 — Build a compliant budget

- Separate eligible vs. ineligible costs; align to the program’s categories (advisory, software, hardware, integration, training).

- Gather two or more supplier quotes where required and detail reimbursable expenses.

Step 3 — Prepare documentation

- Corporate registration, financial statements, payroll data (for wage subsidies), and project plan with milestones.

- If relevant, proof of nonprofit status, Indigenous ownership, or bilingual service commitments.

- Accessibility, privacy (PIPEDA), and cybersecurity baselines—especially for cyber audit grant New Brunswick applications.

Step 4 — Submit and track

- Respect deadlines, word counts, and mandatory attachments; maintain version control.

- Expect reviews, clarifications, and negotiation of scope or timelines.

Step 5 — Execute and report

- Use a project tracker to manage deliverables, time sheets, receipts, and change requests.

- Report progress against KPIs and maintain audit‑ready documentation for claims.

Typical decision timelines range from several weeks to a few months; complex files (e.g., robotics or AI) may take longer.

Regional notes across New Brunswick

- Moncton digital grant and Chamber programs may emphasize e‑commerce enablement and digital skills for small business technology grant NB.

- Saint John digital grant opportunities often focus on industrial productivity, port/logistics telematics, and cybersecurity for SMEs.

- Fredericton digital grant activity benefits from the startup ecosystem (Planet Hatch), Ignite Fredericton digital adoption, and proximity to government services.

- Rural communities (Acadian Peninsula, Restigouche, Northumberland, Kent, Kings, Charlotte, Carleton, Madawaska, Westmorland, York, Sunbury) may access rural broadband/digital funding NB, CBDC programming, and training vouchers.

- Sector organizations (ExportNB, industry associations) provide export digitization funding NB for cross‑border e‑commerce.

Sector-focused examples and typical project bundles

- Manufacturing digitalization funding NB: Cloud ERP + MES/SCADA + machine vision + robotics integration grant NB to reduce scrap and increase throughput.

- Fisheries and aquaculture tech funding NB: IoT sensors + data analytics + mobile app development grant NB for traceability and predictive maintenance.

- Forestry tech adoption NB: GIS mapping, digital twin/IoT grant NB, and asset monitoring for harvesting and logistics.

- Tourism digital marketing NB: Bilingual website grant NB + SEO/SEM funding NB + CRM for tourism NB funding + accessibility WCAG 2.2 updates.

- Healthcare and education: Digital records, privacy compliance funding NB, and cybersecurity training subsidy NB for small teams.

Compliance, accessibility, and bilingual delivery

- Accessibility and digital compliance grant NB can support WCAG 2.2 improvements for websites, apps, and documents.

- Privacy and security: PIPEDA compliance grant NB, penetration testing funding NB, SOC/SIEM funding NB, and backup/disaster recovery grant NB.

- Bilingual service delivery: website translation/localization funding NB ensures English‑French parity and inclusive access.

How to choose vendors and advisors

- Prioritize vendor‑neutral advisor support for ERP vendor selection NB and digital roadmap consultant NB.

- Evaluate total cost of ownership: software subscriptions, implementation partners, training, change management, and integration.

- Confirm Canadian data residency options, security certifications, and exit strategies for key systems.

How helloDarwin supports your application

helloDarwin connects organizations with vetted grant experts and digital advisors while providing a SaaS platform that streamlines discovery, eligibility checks, and project tracking. This hybrid approach simplifies complexity, clarifies documentation, and accelerates time to approval—especially for CDAP grant New Brunswick, ACOA REGI productivity digital, and NRC IRAP digital transformation NB files. Clients gain a single, transparent workflow from roadmap to funding claim, with clear milestones, cost‑share tracking, and bilingual deliverables.

Key takeaways for 2025

- Pair federal programs (CDAP, ACOA, NRC IRAP) with provincial tools (Opportunities NB, NBIF) and community resources (CBDC, Chambers, TechImpact).

- Focus on eligible scopes with measurable outcomes: ERP/CRM, cybersecurity, cloud migration, e‑commerce, AI pilots, and training.

- Prepare early for deadlines, match funding, bilingual content, WCAG accessibility, and PIPEDA privacy.

- Use a structured roadmap and vendor‑neutral advisory to de‑risk selection and implementation.

2 opportunities available

Expert AdviceOpen

Innovation Canada — Innovation Advisors in NB

Innovation Canada

Personalized advisory services for innovators in New Brunswick

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
Health care and social assistance

Types of eligible projects

CommercializationTechnologyInnovationDigital Transformation

Tax CreditsOpen

Small Business Investor Tax Credit Program

Government of New Brunswick

Tax credit to drive New Brunswick business investment

Eligible Funding

From $10,000 to $3,000,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Eligible Industries

All industries

Types of eligible projects

CommercializationBusiness BuyoutInnovationDigital Transformation

Frequently asked questions about digital transformation grants in New Brunswick

Here are concise answers to common questions about eligibility, funding amounts, timelines, and application requirements for New Brunswick organizations in 2025.