Innovation Grants Available in Nova Scotia for 2026
Accelerate innovation with non‑dilutive funding in Nova Scotia. Discover grants, vouchers, and rebates for every stage of growth.
Nova Scotia offers a robust mix of provincial, federal, and cluster funding to support R&D, commercialization, and digital adoption. Programs span ocean technology, clean technology, life sciences, ICT, and advanced manufacturing across Halifax, Cape Breton, and rural communities. This directory explains eligibility, amounts, timelines, and how to apply for innovation grants in the province.
33 opportunities available
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) — Business Scale-up and Productivity — ACOA
Financing to accelerate growth in Atlantic Canada
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationHuman ResourcesInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Atlantic Canada
Funding for Atlantic businesses integrating into defence supply chains
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Innovative Communities Fund (ICF)
Supports economic development projects in Atlantic Canadian communities
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Youth Climate Action Fund
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3), Bloomberg Philanthropies, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Empowering youth to innovate for climate change solutions
Eligible Funding
- From $1,400 to $7,000
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
Environment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Atlantic Fisheries Fund – Atlantic innovation, infrastructure or science partnerships funding
Funding for innovation, infrastructure and science projects in the Atlantic
Eligible Funding
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Nova Scotia Seafood Innovation and Technology Adoption Program (NS-ITAP)
Non-repayable funding for Nova Scotia seafood innovation enhancements
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 99,900 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200 $
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationHuman ResourcesInnovation
Tax CreditsOpen
Nova Scotia innovation equity tax credit
Tax incentive encouraging investment in innovative Nova Scotia businesses
Eligible Funding
- From $1,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 45% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund (FAEEIF)
Provincial funding for sustainable energy-efficient fisheries practices
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
Environment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Seafood Expansion and Market Access Program (SeaMArk)
Supports Nova Scotia seafood businesses in expanding market access
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 99,900 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyHuman ResourcesInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund
Supports transformative, innovative projects in Nova Scotia's seafood and agriculture
Eligible Funding
- From $500,000 to $1,125,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund
Supports energy efficiency and innovation in Nova Scotia fisheries
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovation
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Invest Nova Scotia — Investment
Early stage investment for Nova Scotia innovators
Eligible Funding
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Community Economic Development Fund
Funding for sectors and communities to become more competitive
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosed
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Infrastructure
Funding to improve sustainability in Atlantic fisheries
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingOpen
Invest Nova Scotia — Acceleration Initiatives
Money and advice for Nova Scotia innovators
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
Food Ventures Program
Supports Nova Scotia food businesses with quality and safety services
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationInnovation
Grant and FundingArchived
Atlantic Innovation Fund — Universities, Colleges and Research Institutions
Funding for R&D in Atlantic Canada
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Tax CreditsOpen
Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit
Refundable corporate tax credit for qualifying Nova Scotia investments
Eligible Funding
- From $5,000,000 to $100,000,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Invest Nova Scotia — Payroll Rebate
Payroll rebate for Nova Scotia companies
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Public administration
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyBusiness BuyoutInnovation
Expert AdviceOpen
CBDC Women in Business New Brunswick
Advice for women entrepreneurs in New Brunswick
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyHuman ResourcesInnovation
Eligible Funding
- Up to 15% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Seafood Accelerator Program – Product Development and Technical Support
Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies in product development and safety
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety
Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies in quality and food safety projects
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Other SupportGrant and FundingWage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Hire for Talent
Resources to build an inclusive workforce in Atlantic Canada
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyHuman ResourcesInnovation
Other SupportExpert AdviceClosed
ACOA Business Information Services — New Brunswick
Free advice and expertise for entrepreneurs in New Brunswick
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Grant and FundingClosed
Nova Scotia Health & QEII Health Sciences Foundation Health Equity Fund
Supports health equity research and innovation projects
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
ACOA — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative
Funding to recover Atlantic aerospace sector
Eligible Funding
- Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program
Subsidy for Nova Scotia graduate salaries
Eligible Funding
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 350,000 $
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Environment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingClosed
HCi3 Grant Program
Supports innovative local greenhouse gas reduction projects
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation Innovation
N
Grant and FundingOpen
Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Fund
Supports Black-led community housing sector growth in Nova Scotia
Eligible Funding
- No Condition
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Frequently asked questions about innovation grants in Nova Scotia
Find clear answers about eligibility, matching requirements, timelines, stacking rules, and how to apply for Nova Scotia innovation grants in 2026.
How do I get R&D funding in Nova Scotia?
Which Nova Scotia grants cover equipment purchases?
Can startups access prototyping and market validation grants?
What are typical matching and stacking rules?
How long do Nova Scotia innovation applications take?
Can I combine IRAP with provincial vouchers?
Are grants taxable for SMEs in Nova Scotia?
How do I apply for the Innovation Rebate?
Where can I find grants for ocean robotics and COVE pilots?
How can helloDarwin help my Nova Scotia grant strategy?
What else should I know about Innovation Grants and Funding in Nova Scotia?
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