Metal Manufacturing Grants and Funding in Ontario for 2026

What are Ontario metal manufacturing grants and why do they matter?

Ontario metal manufacturing grants are non-dilutive government funding mechanisms that help fabrication shops, machinists, tool-and-die makers, foundries, steel and aluminum producers, and advanced manufacturers invest in modernization and growth. Programs range from cost-share incentives for capital equipment and automation to workforce training subsidies, export market development grants, and R&D support. By combining provincial and federal opportunities, organizations can build a funding stack that accelerates productivity, quality, and competitiveness while managing cash flow and risk.

Metal fabrication funding programs in Ontario prioritize strategic projects: purchasing CNC machines and 5-axis mills, adopting robotics and cobots, laser cutting and waterjet systems, press brakes and stamping presses, metrology and CMM equipment, ERP/MES deployment, machine vision, and industrial sensors for predictive maintenance. For foundries, casting and furnace modernization, heat treatment upgrades, and environmental compliance (powder coating lines, fume extraction, wastewater treatment) are frequent eligible expenses. Energy efficiency grants for manufacturers in Ontario support compressed air optimization, heat recovery, electrification, and low‑carbon process retrofits—key for green manufacturing and decarbonization strategies.

Who qualifies for Ontario manufacturing grants?

Most programs are targeted to for‑profit manufacturers with operations in Ontario, including SMEs and mid‑sized enterprises. Eligibility typically requires incorporation, a physical facility, paid employees, and a project that drives productivity improvement, technology adoption, export growth, or job creation. Sectoral streams exist for automotive suppliers, aerospace machining, mining supply manufacturing, and defense manufacturing. Northern Ontario manufacturing grants may have specific regional criteria, while advanced manufacturing grants in Ontario emphasize Industry 4.0, robotics funding, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation.

Typical eligible activities include:

- Capital equipment purchases and commissioning (new production machinery, automation, robotics arms, cobots).

- Process integration and controls (PLC, sensors, IIoT, machine vision, metrology, CMM).

- Software adoption (CAD/CAM, ERP/MES, quality systems, cybersecurity hardening of CNC networks).

- Facility expansion and layout optimization (material flow, safety guarding, machine retrofit).

- Workforce development (operator training on new equipment, Lean Six Sigma, quality certification like ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949).

- Export market development (trade shows, market research, marketing assets, compliance like ITAR).

- R&D and prototyping (IRAP‑eligible projects, NGen collaboration, metal 3D printing trials).

Grants versus tax credits for Ontario metal manufacturers

Grants are typically application‑based, forward‑looking, and competitive, providing non‑repayable contributions or cost‑share funding. Tax credits (such as Canadian R&D credits) are claimed after spending and reduce taxes payable; they complement, not replace, grants. Many Ontario metal manufacturers combine grants for capital and training with tax credits for R&D and capital cost allowance programs for depreciation. Choosing the right mix depends on timelines, risk tolerance, and the proportion of spend on equipment versus engineering time.

Key Ontario and federal programs for metal manufacturers

Regional Development Program (EODF, SWODF, and AMIC stream)

Ontario’s Regional Development Program supports manufacturers in Eastern Ontario and Southwestern Ontario through project‑based funding for capital expansion, technology adoption, and productivity improvement. The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) stream focuses on advanced manufacturing grants in Ontario, including automation retrofits, Industry 4.0, and robotics funding. Projects often include capital equipment grants in Ontario, ERP/MES adoption grants, and lean manufacturing funding to reduce setup times in CNC machining. Success depends on clear productivity KPIs, job outcomes, export potential, and evidence of financial readiness.

Common eligible costs under RDP/AMIC

- CNC machine purchase grants (mills, lathes, 5‑axis, multitasking centers).

- Welding automation funding (robotic cells, positioners, seam tracking, laser welding systems).

- Sheet metal automation grants (press brakes with bend angle control, laser cutting and waterjet cutting).

- Stamping press upgrades (servo presses, safety light curtains, guarding and safety retrofit).

- Foundry modernization (furnace upgrades, casting line automation, heat treatment furnace controls).

- Digital transformation (ERP/MES integration with CNCs, IIoT sensors, predictive maintenance).

Northern Ontario: NOHFC and FedNor manufacturing funding

Northern Ontario manufacturers in Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, and Thunder Bay can access Northern Ontario Heritage Fund programs and FedNor funding for plant expansion, equipment, and workforce development. Projects in mining supply manufacturing, steel fabrication, and machining for remote operations are common. Northern Ontario manufacturing grants can also support energy audits, compressed air efficiency rebates, and industrial electrification where feasible.

FedDev Ontario: Business Scale‑up and Productivity (BSP)

For high‑growth Ontario manufacturers, BSP supports scale‑up grants and repayable contributions focused on commercialization, capacity expansion, and export growth. Metal fabrication companies pursuing multi‑million‑dollar equipment installations, automation lines, and market expansion may find BSP relevant. Strong business cases show supply chain resiliency, reshoring, and productivity benchmarking improvements.

NRC IRAP funding for manufacturing R&D

NRC IRAP funds innovation and R&D activities for SMEs, including metal additive manufacturing, process optimization in CNC machining, digital twin simulations, and machine learning for scheduling and toolpath efficiency. IRAP can support prototyping, pilot projects, and design for manufacturability, often in parallel with NGen advanced manufacturing projects. For Ontario machining shops, IRAP can help validate new alloys, improve cycle times, and integrate MES with CNC machines.

NGen (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada)

As Canada’s advanced manufacturing cluster, NGen supports collaborative projects that advance robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation. Ontario metal manufacturers can participate in NGen project calls to develop novel metal 3D printing processes, powder handling and recycling, and machine vision inspection. NGen funding is well‑aligned with Industry 4.0 grants in Ontario and supports technology adoption for SMEs and mid‑market firms.

CanExport SMEs for export market development

Export grants for Ontario manufacturers help metal fabricators enter the U.S. and other markets. CanExport SMEs typically supports international marketing activities: trade show participation, market research, translation, and digital marketing. It is often combined with export marketing grants for manufacturers in Ontario to build a comprehensive go‑to‑market plan.

Canada‑Ontario Job Grant (COJG) for training

Workforce training grants for Ontario manufacturing cover upskilling welders, machinists, and operators on new equipment, Lean Six Sigma training, and safety training. COJG can support training on CMM programming, ERP usage, robotics operation, and advanced welding procedures. Many projects pair COJG with capital grants to ensure operators achieve rapid adoption and safe, efficient operation.

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O‑AMP)

Automotive supplier grants in Ontario support technology adoption and lean process improvements for tier‑1 and tier‑2 suppliers, including metal stamping, tooling and die, and precision machining. Projects may include cobots for tending presses, inline metrology, and ERP/MES integration to improve throughput and traceability. O‑AMP aligns closely with automation and digitization funding for Ontario manufacturing.

IESO Save on Energy industrial incentives

Energy efficiency grants for manufacturers in Ontario—delivered through Save on Energy—support upgrades like VSDs on compressors and pumps, heat recovery, process optimization, and high‑efficiency ovens and furnaces. For metal plants with compressed air intensive operations, compressed air efficiency rebates can be substantial. Energy audits are often the first step, followed by equipment retrofit incentives.

CME, OCI, and other sector programs

The CME Technology Investment Program can help SMEs adopt advanced technologies and equipment. The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) offers innovation vouchers and collaboration funding for prototyping, testing, and commercialization. Additional streams support cybersecurity for CNC networks, quality certification funding (ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949), and safety certification (COR), all relevant to metal fabrication shops.

Sector- and process-specific funding opportunities

CNC machining grants in Ontario

CNC machining grants support the purchase of 3‑ and 5‑axis machines, mill‑turn centers, pallet systems, and toolroom upgrades. Projects that reduce setup time, integrate probing and in‑process inspection, and connect machines to MES for real‑time OEE are strong candidates. Funding to integrate IIoT sensors and predictive maintenance analytics can improve spindle utilization and reduce scrap—key productivity improvement grants in Ontario.

Welding equipment and automation funding

Welding equipment grants in Ontario cover robotic welding cells, welding cobots, adaptive seam tracking, laser welding, and fume extraction systems. Training grants help qualify welders for new processes, while safety funding supports machine guarding and ventilation compliance. For custom metal fabrication, projects that reduce rework through fixture design, vision guidance, and weld parameter control align with technology adoption grants.

Sheet metal and laser cutting projects

Sheet metal grants include press brake automation, laser cutting equipment (fiber lasers), and waterjet cutting. Projects incorporating offline programming, bend simulation, and nesting optimization increase throughput and material yield. For Vaughan, Markham, and Burlington sheet metal shops, grants targeting ERP/MES integration and warehouse automation improve fulfillment and export readiness.

Stamping press upgrades and safety

Metal stamping grants for Windsor, Brampton, and Oshawa suppliers often target press modernization, servo press adoption, die changeover reduction (SMED), and safety light curtains. Funding for guarding and safety retrofits, coil feed upgrades, and vision‑based inspection improves quality and compliance. Automotive supplier grants in Ontario align well with O‑AMP and regional programs.

Foundry modernization and heat treatment

Foundry grants in Ontario cover furnace replacements, refractory improvements, casting line robotics, and environmental controls. Heat treatment furnace grants support automation, recipe control, and energy efficiency through heat recovery and electrification pilots. Wastewater treatment and powder coating line upgrades qualify under environmental compliance and green manufacturing grants.

Metrology, vision, and quality systems

Metrology and CMM grants support precision inspection, automated gauging, and machine vision inspection cells. Quality certification funding for ISO 9001, AS9100, and IATF 16949 underpins aerospace machining grants in Mississauga and automotive supplier grants across the GTA. Funding for CAD/CAM and digital thread integration supports design for manufacturability and first‑article inspection automation.

Digital transformation and cybersecurity

Digital transformation grants in Ontario manufacturing cover ERP implementation, MES, PLM integrations, and cybersecurity for CNC networks. Cyber‑security grants help segment OT networks, harden controllers, and deploy monitoring. Projects that capture machine data for OEE dashboards and predictive maintenance align with automation and digitization funding priorities.

Regional and city‑specific opportunities

Greater Toronto Area: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan–Markham

GTA metal fabricators can target automation grants, export grants, and hiring grants for apprentices. Toronto metal fabrication grants emphasize Industry 4.0, while Mississauga aerospace machining grants often pair with AS9100 certification funding. Brampton stamping and Vaughan sheet metal funding align with press brake grants, laser cutting upgrades, and cobot adoption.

Hamilton and the steel corridor

Hamilton steel manufacturing grants support steel service centers, coil processing, and heavy fabrication. Projects include line modernization, safety upgrades, and energy efficiency measures like variable speed drives and heat recovery. Suppliers in Sault Ste. Marie and Niagara can also access steel fabrication grants for modernization.

Southwestern Ontario: Windsor, London, Niagara

Windsor automotive stamping grants support die/mold shops and press line upgrades. London Ontario manufacturing grants often target CNC machining, welding automation, and ERP. Niagara metal fabrication grants can include export market development through CanExport SMEs and technology adoption for productivity gains.

Kitchener–Waterloo–Cambridge–Guelph

Precision machining and robotics integration are strong in this region. Kitchener–Waterloo CNC machining grants, Cambridge welding automation grants, and Guelph agricultural equipment manufacturing grants focus on advanced equipment, cobots, and digital twins. ERP/MES adoption grants help connect engineering to the shop floor.

Eastern Ontario: Kingston, Peterborough, Ottawa

Eastern Ontario manufacturing grants cover precision machining in Kingston, metal shop upgrades in Peterborough, and Ottawa fabrication modernization. The Eastern Ontario Development Fund supports expansions, with emphasis on job creation and export markets.

Northern Ontario: Sudbury, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie

Northern Ontario manufacturing grants support mining supply manufacturing, heavy welding, and steel fabrication. Funding for CNC retrofit, heat treatment line automation, and workforce development is common, alongside FedNor and NOHFC streams for plant expansion.

Eligibility, application mechanics, and matching funds

Matching funds, stacking, and used equipment policy

Most grants are cost‑share with matching funds requirements; applicants must contribute a portion of eligible costs. Stacking from provincial and federal sources is often permitted up to a cap; verify program‑specific limits. Many programs exclude used equipment; when allowed, rules require arm’s‑length transactions and appraisals. Eligible expenses usually include equipment, installation, integration, training, and external expertise; ineligible costs often include land, buildings, routine operating expenses, and HST.

Documentation checklist for Ontario manufacturers

- Detailed project plan, Gantt timeline, and milestones for automation or expansion.

- Vendor quotes for equipment, integration, and training (upload quotes for equipment purchase grants).

- Financial statements, cash‑flow plan, and proof of matching funds.

- KPIs: productivity improvement, OEE, scrap reduction, export sales, job creation, and training hours.

- Risk management: safety, cybersecurity, supply chain resiliency.

- Compliance plan: environmental permits, safety guarding, and quality certification.

Timelines and evaluation criteria

Timelines vary: some intakes are continuous; others have intake windows. Review lead times for approvals—plan at least several weeks to months. Evaluation criteria emphasize economic impact, productivity and digitization, export growth, cluster benefits, and feasibility. For large projects, expect site visits and due diligence; maintain audit‑ready records.

Budget planning and cash flow

Because most programs reimburse after expenditure, ensure liquidity to place deposits and progress payments. Consider phased milestones and progress claims to manage cash flow. Align project schedules with grant decision dates; avoid starting earlier than allowed. Where possible, coordinate energy incentives and training grants so commissioning aligns with operator upskilling.

Compliance, reporting, and audit readiness

Post‑approval obligations include progress reports, cost documentation, site verifications, and outcome tracking. Maintain a funding binder: contracts, invoices, proof of payment, training logs, commissioning reports, and photos of installed equipment. For safety equipment grants and guarding retrofits, retain certification records. For export grants, keep evidence of attendance and outcomes (leads, contracts). For R&D support, maintain technical logs, design revisions, and test data.

Building a funding strategy for metal manufacturers

Quick wins under $100k

Small manufacturer grants in Ontario under $100k can fund cobots, deburring/finishing equipment, metrology upgrades, and training on new laser cutters. Energy efficiency incentives for compressed air, VSDs, and lighting reduce operating costs. These fast‑cycle projects demonstrate ROI and build a track record for larger applications.

Multi‑year modernization over $1M

Capital expansion grants in Ontario can support new lines, facility expansion, and automation retrofit grants. Combine regional programs (EODF/SWODF) with BSP or cluster funding for large initiatives. Integrate ERP/MES, cyber‑security, and quality certification across the program for resilient scaling.

R&D and innovation portfolio

Pair IRAP funding for process and product R&D with NGen collaborative calls for advanced manufacturing projects. Explore additive manufacturing grants, metal 3D printing trials, and powder recycling pilots. Use OCI vouchers for prototyping and validation; progress to commercialization funding as TRLs advance.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

- Starting spend before approval when prohibited; read the fine print.

- Thin evidence of benefits; quantify productivity, setup time reduction, and export forecasts.

- Weak training plans; pair capital with workforce development grants.

- Missing integration scope; budget for commissioning, PLC upgrades, and safety guarding.

- Ignoring cybersecurity; include OT network segmentation for CNC machines.

- Poor cash‑flow planning; stage projects and align with reimbursement cycles.

Conclusion: Turning funding into productivity and growth

Ontario metal manufacturing grants—across equipment, automation, training, export, and R&D—enable fabricators, machinists, foundries, and steel producers to modernize with lower risk. By aligning projects with program goals (productivity, competitiveness, clean technology, and workforce development), manufacturers can unlock non‑repayable contributions and cost‑share incentives. Build a calendar of intakes, prepare documentation early, and design projects that measurably improve throughput, quality, energy use, and safety. With a disciplined approach to eligibility, applications, and compliance, Ontario metal manufacturers can scale efficiently and compete globally.