Manufacturing Grants and Funding in Atlantic Canada for 2026

Overview: Atlantic Canada manufacturing grants and funding in 2026

Manufacturing grants and funding in the Atlantic Provinces combine federal and provincial support to advance equipment modernization, automation and robotics, productivity improvement, export development, workforce training, innovation and R&D, and clean growth. Core programs include ACOA funding for manufacturers through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) stream and the Atlantic Innovation Fund for transformative R&D, complemented by provincial tools from Invest Nova Scotia, Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), Innovation PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador’s investment supports. For SME manufacturers and mid‑sized plants, this ecosystem provides non-repayable contributions, rebates, tax credits, and targeted incentives that reduce project risk and accelerate scale-up, digital adoption, and decarbonization.

What types of support are available?

Manufacturers in Atlantic Canada can access a mix of instruments tailored to common priorities:

- Non-repayable contributions and grants for capital equipment, robotics cells, CNC machines, packaging lines, quality control equipment, testing and lab equipment, and processing line automation.

- Rebates and tax credits such as the Capital Investment Tax Credit in Nova Scotia that encourage plant expansion and capital equipment purchases.

- Innovation and R&D funding via the Atlantic Innovation Fund, prototype and pilot project grants, college and cluster voucher programs, and SR&ED tax credits that can be combined with provincial support.

- Export funding for market research, trade show participation, certifications (CE/UL), containerization and logistics, and export marketing campaigns across the U.S. and international markets.

- Workforce development through hiring and wage subsidies, apprenticeship and skills training grants, internship funding, and green job wage subsidies.

- Clean technology and energy efficiency grants focused on carbon reduction, electrification, industrial heat pumps, compressed air systems, VFD drives, heat recovery, boiler replacements, building envelope upgrades, solar PV, battery storage, and GHG reporting.

Federal programs focused on Atlantic manufacturers

ACOA and REGI: growth, productivity, and export readiness

The Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program in Atlantic Canada supports equipment modernization, automation and robotics funding, productivity improvement grants, export development, and digital adoption projects. Typical eligible costs include capital equipment, software such as ERP/MES, Industry 4.0 and IIoT sensors, cybersecurity for OT/SCADA, consulting, certification, and training tied to implementation. Export funding in Atlantic Canada can also cover trade readiness assessments, market diversification, and trade show costs.

Atlantic Innovation Fund: commercialization-oriented R&D

The Atlantic Innovation Fund supports collaborative, commercialization-focused R&D by manufacturers developing new products, processes, or services in fields like advanced manufacturing, medtech, marine composites, additive manufacturing/3D printing, and clean technology. Projects often include prototype development, pilot plant work, testing and validation, IP strategy, and pathways to scale-up funding for manufacturers.

SR&ED tax credits and stacking strategies

SR&ED tax credits remain a cornerstone for R&D cost recovery across Atlantic Canada. Manufacturers frequently stack SR&ED with grants for equipment, pilot projects, or commercialization activities. When combining SR&ED with grants, teams should separate eligible cost pools, monitor assistance interactions, and document hours, materials, and subcontractors to ensure compliance and maximize non-dilutive funding.

Provincial funding by jurisdiction

Nova Scotia: Invest Nova Scotia programs for manufacturing

Nova Scotia manufacturing grants emphasize capital investment, productivity, and innovation.

- Equipment and capital: capital equipment grants, capital investment support, and the Capital Investment Tax Credit Nova Scotia for plant expansion, robotics, CNC machines, packaging automation, and facility retrofits.

- Innovation and productivity: the Productivity and Innovation Voucher (often used for product design, prototyping, testing, or process optimization with universities/colleges), additive manufacturing pilots, and Industry 4.0 adoption.

- Workforce: skills training grants, apprenticeship funding, hiring incentives and wage subsidies for production workers and engineers, plus safety certification funding (COR).

- Export and certifications: export marketing grants, export readiness assessments, and funding for ISO 9001/14001, CE/UL, and HACCP where applicable.

- Clean growth: energy efficiency grants for industrial heat pumps in Dartmouth, compressed air system upgrades, heat recovery, boiler replacement, and renewable energy for manufacturing.

New Brunswick: Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB) funding

New Brunswick manufacturing funding targets productivity, digital transformation, and export growth.

- Productivity and plant expansion: Manufacturing productivity support NB, lean manufacturing grants, continuous improvement and Lean Six Sigma funding, and plant expansion grants in New Brunswick.

- Digital adoption: ONB Digital Transformation for ERP/MES, IIoT, cybersecurity assessments funding, and robotics integration grants.

- Workforce: hiring incentives manufacturing NB, apprenticeship supports, wage subsidy production workers in Saint John, and training for new CNC/robotics equipment.

- Export: trade show grants, export marketing support for U.S./EU entry, market research funding, and export certification funding.

- Energy efficiency and sustainability: energy audits funding, carbon reduction grants industry Atlantic, heat recovery systems funding, VFD drives, and GHG reporting and verification funding.

Newfoundland and Labrador: capital, processing, and clean growth

Newfoundland and Labrador provides equipment upgrade funding and sector-specific supports.

- Capital and facility retrofit funding Newfoundland and Labrador: grants for modernization, facility renovation, site readiness, and brownfield redevelopment to build or expand factories in St. John’s and other centres.

- Sector focus: food and seafood processing funding (including cold chain improvements, cold storage funding seafood), HACCP certification funding, and clean room or hygiene upgrades for value-added processing.

- Innovation and business investment: IBIC NL funding manufacturing for scale-up, prototyping, pilot projects, and commercialization.

- Energy efficiency: industrial heat pumps grants in NL, biomass boiler funding, hydrogen-ready equipment grants, and waste heat to power grants.

- Export development: marketing, packaging, and logistics support for global seafood markets and other manufactured products.

Prince Edward Island: Innovation PEI programs for fabrication

PEI manufacturing funding emphasizes capital acquisition and export development.

- Equipment and capital: Innovation PEI Capital Acquisition for key production assets, packaging equipment grants Atlantic, tooling and die grants, quality control equipment funding, and testing and lab equipment grants.

- Food processing: traceability system grants food processing Atlantic, HACCP funding, allergen control equipment, and packaging automation for beverage and food manufacturers.

- Workforce and training: internship grants manufacturing Atlantic, apprenticeship and skills training grants, and wage subsidies.

- Export development PEI manufacturing: export marketing campaigns, certifications, and trade show participation to reach U.S. and international buyers.

- Clean growth: energy efficiency projects for building envelope upgrades, compressed air optimization, and solar PV for factories.

Priority investment themes for Atlantic manufacturers

Equipment modernization and automation

Capital equipment grants and non-repayable contributions support CNC machines, robotics integration, packaging lines, predictive maintenance via IIoT, and ERP/MES software. Grants for CNC machines in Atlantic Canada help shops adopt multi-axis machining, while robotics integration grants in Nova Scotia and automation grants for Prince Edward Island manufacturers improve throughput and reduce defects. Processing line automation grants and AI/vision systems for quality inspection in Nova Scotia plants illustrate advanced manufacturing grants in the region.

Digital transformation and cybersecurity

Digital adoption funding manufacturing Atlantic helps factories implement ERP/MES, industrial IoT funding Atlantic, digital twins and simulation, and cybersecurity for OT/SCADA systems. Cybersecurity assessments funding manufacturing and e-commerce for manufacturers funding enable connected operations and online sales for custom manufacturers, improving supply chain visibility and resilience.

Productivity, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing grants and productivity improvement grants Atlantic cover value stream mapping, setup reduction, SMED, 5S, and advanced analytics projects. Manufacturers often pair consulting support with small capital improvements, sensors, and operator training to sustain results and qualify for scale-up funding manufacturers Atlantic.

Export development and market diversification

Export funding Atlantic Canada covers market research, export readiness assessment funding, trade show grants Atlantic, export freight and logistics support, and export certification funding (CE/UL). Manufacturers entering U.S. markets from Atlantic Canada can combine branding, marketing, and certification costs with travel and booth expenses to accelerate sales.

Workforce development and training

Workforce training grants manufacturing Atlantic and apprenticeship funding support welders, machinists, industrial electricians, and technologists. Hiring incentives, green job wage subsidies Atlantic, and internship grants help manufacturers onboard talent for new lines or technologies, often tied to equipment commissioning and safety certification funding COR Atlantic.

Clean technology, energy efficiency, and decarbonization

Energy efficiency grants industrial Atlantic target heat recovery systems funding Atlantic, boiler replacement grants, building envelope upgrades grants, compressed air system upgrades grants, VFD drives and motor upgrades, power quality and VFD funding, and battery storage funding industrial. Projects in electrification funding manufacturing, industrial heat pump upgrades in Dartmouth, solar PV for factories grants, biomass boiler funding, and hydrogen-ready equipment grants reduce energy costs and emissions. GHG reporting and verification funding and ESG reporting grants manufacturing support compliance and transparency.

Sector-specific opportunities in the Atlantic Provinces

Food and seafood processing

Food processing grants Atlantic and seafood processing funding Atlantic prioritize cold chain capacity, packaging automation, traceability, HACCP and BRC/IFS certification, and wastewater treatment. Grants for cold storage funding seafood Atlantic, modernization of smoking units in NL, water reuse systems in seafood processing, and quality control lab equipment in PEI align with export growth and market access.

Forestry, wood products, and pulp and paper

Forestry and wood products funding Atlantic supports sawmill modernization, heat recovery, dust collection, and automation of grading. Pulp and paper efficiency funding targets steam system optimization, condensate return, variable frequency drives, and boiler upgrades to reduce energy intensity and GHG emissions.

Aerospace, marine, and shipbuilding

Aerospace and shipbuilding grants Atlantic include marine/shipbuilding productivity grants, boatbuilding equipment funding, and supplier development grants to join OEM supply chains. Marine composites manufacturing in PEI, aerospace MRO funding Atlantic, and modernization of shipyards in Nova Scotia strengthen the blue economy.

Metals, plastics, and advanced materials

Metal fabrication funding Atlantic, plastics processing grants Atlantic, and additive manufacturing/3D printing funding Atlantic help plants pilot metal 3D printing and tooling, adopt CNC/robotic welding, and implement in-line inspection. Funding for advanced welding equipment and training, and additive manufacturing pilot funding help reduce lead times and expand capability.

Medtech and regulated manufacturing

Medtech manufacturing funding Atlantic supports clean room upgrades, sterilization validation, quality systems, and export certifications. Projects often combine prototype funding manufacturing Atlantic with market access and regulatory compliance support.

Eligibility, costs, and stacking rules

Eligibility commonly hinges on the company’s location in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Prince Edward Island; incorporation and good standing; and a project that improves productivity, innovation, exports, or sustainability. Eligible costs often include capital equipment, installation, software, engineering, certifications, training, and associated travel for export development. In matching models, non-repayable contributions may cover a percentage of eligible costs, with remaining funds provided by the applicant or lenders. Stacking with SR&ED, REGI, provincial programs, and municipal or utility rebates is common, but businesses should confirm maximum assistance ratios and avoid double counting. Indigenous-owned business grants Atlantic, women-led manufacturing funding Atlantic, rural manufacturing grants Atlantic, francophone business funding Atlantic, and coastal community manufacturing grants provide inclusivity pathways.

Application process and timeline best practices

- Define objectives and metrics: productivity increase, throughput, defect reduction, energy intensity, export sales, or jobs created.

- Build a budget with quotes: capital equipment, integration, training, travel, certifications, and commissioning.

- Map a schedule: procurement, installation, training, and milestone-based claims.

- Prepare evidence: business plan, financial statements, job descriptions, vendor SOWs, energy audit reports for energy efficiency grants, and ESG baselines for decarbonization.

- Confirm eligibility and matching funds: validate program fit and confirm matching cash.

- Align benefits with priorities: e.g., supply chain resilience grants Atlantic, reshoring/onshoring funding Atlantic, and circular economy grants industry Atlantic.

- Submit early: mind timeline and deadlines for Atlantic manufacturing funding 2026.

Compliance, certifications, and risk management

Certification funding supports ISO 9001/14001, HACCP, BRC/IFS, safety certification funding COR Atlantic, and export certification funding (CE, UL). Cybersecurity funding manufacturing Atlantic covers risk assessments, remediation for OT/SCADA, and supply chain security. Environmental compliance investments, water and wastewater treatment grants industrial, waste reduction funding manufacturing, and ESG reporting grants manufacturing address regulatory and customer expectations.

Example project scenarios (illustrative)

- A Nova Scotia metal shop secures equipment upgrade grants Atlantic to add a 5‑axis CNC and robotic welding, paired with ERP/MES software grants Atlantic and cybersecurity assessments funding manufacturing.

- A PEI food processor uses Innovation PEI grants manufacturing for packaging equipment, traceability systems, and HACCP upgrades, plus export marketing grants Atlantic to reach U.S. retailers.

- An NB plastics manufacturer obtains ONB funding for lean manufacturing and continuous improvement, industrial IoT funding Atlantic for predictive maintenance, and export certification funding to access EU markets.

- An NL seafood processor combines cold storage funding, industrial heat pumps grants, and water reuse system support to cut energy and freshwater consumption while boosting export readiness.

Measuring impact and reporting

Set baselines and targets for OEE, scrap rate, energy per unit, lead time, and export sales. Collect commissioning reports, training logs, certification certificates, and energy audit results. For decarbonization, integrate GHG reporting and verification funding to quantify reductions. For R&D, track IP strategy funding manufacturers, patent support funding, and SR&ED support Atlantic manufacturers to maintain defensible documentation.

Inclusivity and regional development

Atlantic Canada programs encourage participation from SME manufacturers, Indigenous-owned businesses, women-led companies, francophone communities, and rural manufacturing plants. Regional cluster funding Atlantic, college/cluster voucher programs Atlantic, and collaborative R&D with universities improve access to shared infrastructure, pilot plant access funding, and supplier development for OEM supply chains.

Key takeaways and next steps

Manufacturing grants in the Atlantic Provinces prioritize equipment modernization, automation, productivity, workforce training, export growth, and clean technology adoption. By aligning project plans with program priorities—ACOA REGI, the Atlantic Innovation Fund, Invest Nova Scotia, ONB, Innovation PEI, and NL investment supports—companies can secure non-repayable contributions and rebates for strategic initiatives. A disciplined approach to eligibility, budgeting, timelines, and measurable outcomes helps applicants combine capital equipment grants, R&D tax credits, export funding, and energy efficiency incentives into a coherent, non-dilutive funding strategy.