Innovation Grants Available in New Brunswick for 2026

What are innovation grants in New Brunswick?

Innovation grants in New Brunswick are non-dilutive funding mechanisms that help organizations plan, build, test, and commercialize new products, processes, and services. They include non-repayable contributions, repayable contributions, innovation vouchers, research grants, and R&D tax incentives. Programs are delivered by provincial and federal entities, including the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF/FINB), Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA/APECA), and national research bodies such as NRC IRAP, NSERC, Mitacs, CFI, SDTC, and the Strategic Innovation Fund. These innovation programs support early-stage prototyping, market validation, pilot projects, digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, clean tech, cybersecurity, and commercialization funding in NB. Whether you are a small business in Moncton, a manufacturer in Saint John, or a research team in Fredericton, there are targeted options to reduce risk and accelerate growth.

Why innovation funding matters for NB businesses

Public funding reduces the cost and risk of research and development, especially for SMEs and startups that need non-dilutive capital. Grants and vouchers can cover eligible costs such as salaries, equipment, materials, testing, IP strategy, market research, and external expertise. For New Brunswick companies competing nationally and globally, innovation grants and R&D credits help build prototypes faster, validate with customers, and scale production. Cost-share grants and matching funds encourage collaboration with universities and colleges, enabling access to labs, prototyping facilities, and applied research expertise. Beyond financing, many programs require structured project planning, milestone payment schedules, and knowledge mobilization—practices that strengthen execution and investor confidence.

Main programs and agencies in New Brunswick

NBIF (New Brunswick Innovation Foundation) / FINB

NBIF funding supports research, commercialization, and startup growth through non-dilutive grants and complementary investment tools. Typical initiatives include prototyping grants, market validation funding, and innovation vouchers for SMEs. NBIF also catalyzes university research funding in New Brunswick by co-funding collaborative projects with industry, enabling technology transfer and IP development. Founders frequently search for “NBIF funding programs explained (eligibility, amounts, timelines)” to understand intake windows, matching funds, and eligible costs.

Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) / Opportunités NB

ONB offers programs that may include non-repayable and repayable contributions for productivity, digital adoption, market development, hiring, and training. For manufacturers, ONB can support Industry 4.0 upgrades, robotics, sensors and IoT, additive manufacturing, and smart manufacturing audits. ONB is often used in a grant stack with NBIF, NRC IRAP, and federal programs to create a balanced funding mix for equipment, software, and workforce development in New Brunswick.

ACOA (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) / APECA

ACOA innovation funding in New Brunswick supports commercialization, product development, clean technology pilots, export market development, and scale-up projects. ACOA programs often use cost-shared, milestone-based contribution agreements. Many applicants look for an “ACOA innovation funding application guide PDF New Brunswick” to understand proposal structure, project budgets, and claim reimbursement requirements.

NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program) / PARI CNRC

IRAP provides advisory services and funding to help SMEs conduct R&D, hire technical talent, and collaborate with research institutions. Typical use cases include AI/ML projects, software development, prototyping hardware, and technology readiness advancement (TRL 3–7). “NRC IRAP advisor in New Brunswick near me” is a common search, along with questions on stacking IRAP with NBIF or ONB and on eligible labour, subcontractors, and IP costs.

SR&ED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) / RS&DE

The SR&ED tax credit in New Brunswick helps companies claim eligible R&D expenditures, often after project completion. Many firms combine SR&ED with grants (grant stack) to maximize the overall funding mix. Typical queries include “SR&ED tax credit New Brunswick rate and how to claim” and “Fredericton R&D tax credit help and advisors.” Applicants should maintain robust technical documentation, experimental evidence, and timesheets to support claims.

National programs: SDTC, SIF, NSERC, Mitacs, CFI

- SDTC funding New Brunswick supports early-stage clean technology pilots and scale-up projects, including energy transition, carbon reduction, waste-to-value, and circular economy initiatives.

- The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) offers large-scale support for growth and innovation; the Atlantic stream can apply to NB firms pursuing transformative projects.

- NSERC partnerships (e.g., Alliance) provide research grants for university-industry collaboration in NB.

- Mitacs (Accelerate, Elevate) co-funds internships and fellowships, supporting co-op placements, R&D interns, and talent development.

- CFI funding in New Brunswick supports research infrastructure at universities and colleges, enabling labs for applied research and prototyping.

Types of support available in NB

Non-repayable and repayable contributions

Non-repayable contributions are grants that do not require repayment when project terms are met. Repayable contributions function like interest-free or low-interest financing with repayment conditions. Programs may combine both, especially for commercialization funding and scale-up. Understanding loans vs grants in NB helps applicants plan cash flow and repayment schedules.

Innovation vouchers and cost-shared projects

Innovation vouchers in New Brunswick help SMEs access external expertise for prototyping, testing, market validation, or IP strategy. Cost-share grants and matching funds NB require applicants to contribute a percentage of project costs—encouraging discipline, co-investment, and realistic timelines.

Tax incentives and rebates

R&D tax credits (SR&ED) complement grants by reimbursing eligible R&D activities. Other incentives can include energy efficiency rebates for factories, digital adoption grants NB for retailers and restaurants, and sectoral programs tied to clean technology, broadband upgrades, and EV infrastructure.

Hiring and workforce development

Hiring grants in New Brunswick may subsidize R&D interns, co-ops, youth entrepreneurship placements, or specialized technical hires. Programs often support training for Industry 4.0, cybersecurity certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001), ISO 13485 (medtech readiness), and advanced manufacturing upskilling.

Sector-specific innovation opportunities

Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Manufacturing grants in New Brunswick support automation, robotics, smart sensors, data analytics, additive manufacturing, and productivity improvements. Companies often seek “smart manufacturing grants NB industry 4.0 audit” or support for equipment funding NB and pilot project funding for digital twins or predictive maintenance.

Clean technology and energy transition

Clean technology grants New Brunswick target emissions reduction, energy storage, hydrogen pilots, battery and storage, and energy efficiency retrofits in factories. Organizations explore “energy efficiency grants New Brunswick” and “cleantech pilots NB” to fund pilot installations, monitoring, and scale-up to TRL 7–9.

Aquaculture, fisheries, and ocean tech

The ocean economy funding Atlantic supports marine tech, fisheries innovation, and aquaculture R&D for recirculating systems. Long-tail searches include “aquaculture innovation grants NB” and “marine technology grants New Brunswick port pilots.” Projects may involve sensors and IoT, AI-enabled monitoring, and waste-to-value processes.

Forestry, bioeconomy, and pulp and paper

Forestry innovation funding NB includes biomass, recycling technologies, bio-based materials, and modernization of pulp and paper operations. Applicants explore “forestry modernization NB,” “pulp and paper innovation NB,” and “bioeconomy grants NB” to support process optimization and circular economy pilots.

ICT, cybersecurity, and digital transformation

New Brunswick’s cybersecurity cluster in Fredericton anchors programs for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and secure software development. Businesses look for “cybersecurity grants New Brunswick” and “digital transformation grants NB” to adopt cloud, ERP, e-commerce, AI/ML, data science, and 5G connectivity.

Life sciences, health innovation, and medtech

Medtech grants NB support prototypes, clinical validation, and regulatory readiness (ISO 13485). Life sciences projects often pair Mitacs interns with NB startups, leveraging NSERC partnerships for applied research and knowledge mobilization across UNB and NBCC labs.

Agriculture, agri-food, and circular economy

Agri-food innovation grants support precision agriculture, controlled environments, waste valorization, and food processing upgrades. Queries include “precision agriculture grants NB,” “food processing grants NB,” and “environmental innovation grants NB for waste reduction.”

Regional ecosystem and collaboration

Fredericton, Moncton, and Saint John

- Fredericton innovation grants: proximity to UNB, the Cyber Centre NB, and Planet Hatch fosters ICT, cybersecurity, and research partnerships.

- Moncton innovation funding for SaaS companies: Venn Innovation connects startups with mentors, accelerators, and grant readiness resources.

- Saint John grants for manufacturing modernization: ConnexionWorks and local industrial parks support clean tech pilots and productivity projects.

Incubators, accelerators, and support organizations

Planet Hatch funding resources, Venn Innovation programs, and ConnexionWorks mentorship guide grant navigation, proposal reviews, and investor readiness. The broader innovation ecosystem New Brunswick includes angel investment NB, venture capital NB, and ESG innovation NB support for impact-driven enterprises.

Universities and colleges: UNB, NBCC, CCNB

University-industry partnerships in NB leverage NSERC Alliance and Mitacs. UNB research funding supports collaborative R&D, while NBCC and CCNB advance college-industry applied research, prototyping labs, and pilot-scale testing. Search interest includes “UNB research funding,” “CCNB research partnerships,” and “NBCC applied research funding.”

Eligibility and application process

Common eligibility criteria

Programs typically assess incorporation status, Canadian ownership, number of employees, revenue stage, and project scope. Priority may be given to SMEs, startups, rural businesses, women entrepreneurs, newcomer entrepreneurs, Indigenous businesses, and francophone enterprises. Applicants should confirm geographic requirements (e.g., activities in NB) and ensure clear project outcomes.

Intakes, deadlines, and rolling programs

Some grants operate on rolling intake while others have fixed intakes or calls for proposals with specific grant deadlines New Brunswick (e.g., Q1 2026). Maintaining a grant calendar NB with monthly updates helps identify intake windows and prepare documents ahead of time.

Proposal components and documentation

A strong proposal includes: a statement of work, clear milestones, a detailed project budget, and an eligibility checklist. Define TRL/NMT progression (prototype-to-pilot funding TRL 4–6, scale-up grants TRL 7–9), outline IP strategy, and include letters of support from partners (e.g., UNB, CCNB, NBCC). Provide vendor quotes for equipment, outline compliance steps, and describe risk mitigation.

Budgeting, eligible costs, and matching funds

Eligible costs can include internal labour, subcontractors, materials, testing, equipment usage, travel (as permitted), and knowledge mobilization. Cost-share percentages vary; applicants should secure matching funds through internal budgets, angel funding, BDC financing, or venture capital NB. Stacking rules NB determine how programs combine; document your funding mix to avoid overfunding specific cost lines.

Compliance, claims, and reporting

Contribution agreements define claim reimbursement processes, milestone payment schedules, and reporting requirements. Maintain timesheets, invoices, proof of payment, and progress summaries. For SR&ED, preserve technical evidence and experiment logs; for hiring grants, keep payroll records and training documentation.

Practical scenarios and use cases

Prototyping and market validation

Hardware startups often search for “prototyping grant New Brunswick for hardware startups” and “subventions au prototypage Nouveau-Brunswick.” These projects fund CAD, tooling, small-batch builds, and lab testing. Market validation funding NB supports customer discovery, pilot deployments, and usability studies.

Commercialization and scale-up

Commercialization funding NB helps bridge the gap from MVP to revenue, including certifications, regulatory steps, and go-to-market activities. Scale-up funding New Brunswick can support equipment, automation, and production capacity for export markets.

Digital adoption and cybersecurity readiness

Digital adoption grants NB for retailers and restaurants support POS upgrades, e-commerce localization, and ERP integration. Cybersecurity grants NB help SMEs achieve SOC 2 or ISO 27001, fund audits, and implement secure DevOps practices across ICT grants NB.

Clean tech pilots and energy efficiency retrofits

Cleantech projects range from waste-to-value and recycling technology grants NB to energy efficiency retrofit grants NB for factories. Pilot projects in Saint John industrial parks or rural municipalities de-risk technology and validate business models.

Inclusive pathways and targeted audiences

Inclusive innovation funding supports Indigenous innovation NB, women entrepreneur grants New Brunswick, youth entrepreneurship grants, and newcomer entrepreneur grants. Rural business grants NB address broadband upgrade grants and smart city funding NB for small communities. Bilingual grant support New Brunswick ensures francophone entrepreneurs receive equitable access to information and services.

Tips to improve your success rate

- Build a grant readiness package: project summary, milestones, TRL, budget, letters of support.

- Keep a grant calendar NB with intake windows and dates limites des subventions Nouveau-Brunswick.

- Align objectives with program outcomes (productivity, export, IP, jobs, ESG).

- Document technical uncertainty for SR&ED and R&D grants New Brunswick.

- Prepare a clear IP strategy grant NB template and checklist.

- Validate partner roles for university-industry partnerships NB and Mitacs internships.

- Conduct a grant audit to find stacking opportunities without double-counting.

How helloDarwin simplifies access to funding

helloDarwin combines expert consulting with a SaaS grant navigator to streamline discovery, eligibility verification, and proposal management. The platform supports matching to innovation programs NB (NBIF, ONB, ACOA, IRAP, NSERC, Mitacs, SDTC, SIF, CFI), tracks grant deadlines, and organizes documents for compliance. Our approach helps organizations design a coherent funding mix—balancing innovation vouchers, non-repayable contributions, repayable contributions, and SR&ED—while maintaining clarity on eligible costs, reporting, and milestone payments. This hybrid model is designed to make government funding simple, credible, and accessible for New Brunswick organizations of all sizes.

Conclusion: Building a strategic funding mix in New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s innovation ecosystem offers a comprehensive suite of business grants, research and development funding, innovation vouchers, hiring subsidies, and tax incentives. By combining provincial programs (NBIF, ONB) with federal resources (ACOA, IRAP, SR&ED, NSERC, Mitacs, SDTC, SIF, CFI), organizations can finance prototyping, pilot projects, digital transformation, clean technology, advanced manufacturing, and export development. Establishing a grant stack with a clear timeline, budget discipline, and compliance plan improves both approval likelihood and execution quality. With structured guidance and the right tools, applicants across Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and rural communities can accelerate commercialization and scale responsibly using non-dilutive funding in New Brunswick.