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Manufacturing Grants and Funding in Nova Scotia for 2026

Nova Scotia manufacturers can access a broad mix of grants, rebates, vouchers, tax credits, and non‑repayable contributions to modernize equipment, automate processes, and expand into export markets. This directory explains key programs such as the Nova Scotia Innovation Rebate Program, the Capital Investment Tax Credit, ACOA REGI, NRC IRAP, CanExport, and workforce training support. It is designed for manufacturers of all sizes across Halifax, Cape Breton, Dartmouth, Truro, and beyond.

46 programs
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  • Invest Nova Scotia logo
    Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpen

    AscendBio

    Invest Nova Scotia
    Scale industrial biotech and agritech in Canada
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationInnovation
    Cape Breton, NS, Canada
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Innovation

    Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
    Supports innovation, infrastructure, and science partnerships in Atlantic fisheries
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and ClimateInnovation
    NB, NL, NS, PE, Canada
  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) logo
    Tax CreditsOpen

    Atlantic Investment Tax Credit

    Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
    Tax relief for Atlantic investments
    Eligible Funding
    Up to 10% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, Utilities, Manufacturing
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation Innovation
    Canada

  • Get grants for manufacturing in Nova Scotia for your business

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  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) logo
    Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsOpen

    Business Development Program (BDP)

    Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
    Financial support for business growth in Atlantic Canada
    Eligible Funding
    Up to 75% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Retail trade, Other services (except public administration)
    Types of eligible projects
    TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation Innovation
    NB, NL, NS, PE, Canada
  • Centre for Women in Business logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Centre for Women in Business

    Centre for Women in Business
    Training and events for Nova Scotia women entrepreneurs
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 5,000 $
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services, Other services (except public administration)
    Timeline
    Open Date : August 6, 2024
    NS, Canada
  • LearnSphere logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Commercialization, Consulting and Mentoring

    LearnSphere
    Money for commercialization in Atlantic Canada
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 16,250 $ · Up to 65% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, Utilities, Construction
    Types of eligible projects
    Commercialization
    NB, NL, NS, PE, Canada
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  • Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation logo
    Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen

    Food Ventures Program

    Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
    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
    NS, Canada
  • Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) logo
    Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen

    GradWorks — Employer Incentive Program

    Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
    Connect with skilled graduates in Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 30,360 $ · Up to 66% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, Utilities, Construction
    Types of eligible projects
    NS, Canada

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  • Clean Foundation logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Nova Scotia’s Thriving Forests program

    Clean Foundation
    Fully funded tree planting support in Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Construction, Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and Climate
    NS, Canada
  • National Research Council Canada (NRC) logo
    Researchers And FacilitiesOpen

    NRC — Marine research station

    National Research Council Canada (NRC)
    Marine research facility in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovation
    NS, Canada
  • National Research Council Canada (NRC) logo
    Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationOpen

    NRC — Zebrafish research facility

    National Research Council Canada (NRC)
    Industry testing with zebrafish models
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationTechnologyInnovation
    Halifax, NS, Canada
  • Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Seafood Accelerator Program

    Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
    Funding for Nova Scotia seafood businesses
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 15,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Wholesale trade, Retail trade, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationInnovation
    NS, Canada
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  • Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation logo
    Grant and FundingOpenClosing Soon

    Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program

    Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
    Helps Nova Scotia food businesses meet food safety requirements
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 30,000 $ · Up to 100% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing, Wholesale trade, Retail trade
    Timeline
    Open Date : May 1, 2025 · Closing date : September 15, 2026
    NS, Canada
  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) logo
    Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosed

    ACOA — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative

    Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
    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 ClimateHuman ResourcesInnovationDigital Transformation
    NB, NL, NS, PE, Canada

  • Need help applying for grants for manufacturing in Nova Scotia?

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  • CWB Welding Foundation (CWB) logo
    Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed

    CWB Association Chapter Awards

    CWB Welding Foundation (CWB)
    Co-funded support for welding education initiatives
    Eligible Funding
    From $500 to $2,500
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Educational services
    Types of eligible projects
    TechnologyInnovation
    Canada
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  • Clean Foundation logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Indigenous Energy Project (IEP) Bursary

    Clean Foundation
    Funding for clean economy training and equipment
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 10,000 $
    Eligible Industries
    Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation and warehousing
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and Climate
    NS, Canada
  • Government of Nova Scotia logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Invest Nova Scotia — Greenshoots

    Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
    Funding for early-stage businesses in Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 40 $ · Up to 90% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and Climate
    NS, Canada
  • Government of Nova Scotia logo
    Other SupportExpert AdviceClosed

    Launch Export Atlantic Incubator

    Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
    Export readiness support for Atlantic businesses
    Eligible Funding
    Up to 75% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Professional, scientific and technical services, Other services (except public administration), Public administration
    Types of eligible projects
    Business Buyout
    NB, NL, NS, PE, Canada
  • Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Nova Scotia Local Beef Processing Program

    Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
    Funding for local beef processing projects in Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 250,000 $ · Up to 25% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation
    NS, Canada

  • Find funding programs for manufacturing in Nova Scotia that fit your project

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  • Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative

    Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation
    Supports local beef processing in Nova Scotia
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 15,000 $ · Up to 60% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Manufacturing
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationEnvironment and ClimateHuman Resources
    NS, Canada
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Frequently asked questions about manufacturing grants in Nova Scotia

Here are concise answers to common questions on grants for Nova Scotia manufacturing funding programs.

What are the main manufacturing grants and incentives in Nova Scotia?

Key programs include the Nova Scotia Innovation Rebate Program, the Capital Investment Tax Credit, the Productivity & Innovation Voucher, Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI), ACOA REGI, NRC IRAP, CanExport, and SR&ED tax incentives. These tools support equipment, automation, R&D, exporting, training, and clean growth across Halifax, Cape Breton, Dartmouth, Truro, and rural regions. Combining programs can reduce overall project costs. Review each program’s focus before applying.

How do I apply for manufacturing grants in Nova Scotia?

Start by defining the project scope, timelines, and expected impacts. Build a financing stack that may include the Innovation Rebate Program, ACOA REGI, and a tax credit. Prepare vendor quotes, technical plans, and a budget. helloDarwin can guide eligibility checks, documentation, and sequencing so your application meets program requirements.

Which programs fund automation and robotics in Halifax or Cape Breton?

The Innovation Rebate Program, ACOA REGI, and the Capital Investment Tax Credit commonly support automation, robotics, and CNC purchases. NRC IRAP may fund R&D related to integrating advanced manufacturing systems. Consider WIPSI for training on new equipment. Align the business case with productivity and competitiveness outcomes.

Are there grants for food and seafood processors in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Food and beverage manufacturing grants and seafood processing grants support packaging, HACCP/CFIA compliance, cold chain, and energy‑efficient equipment. Sustainable CAP can assist agri‑food projects in the Annapolis Valley and beyond. Export marketing support is available through CanExport.

What is the difference between NRC IRAP and ACOA funding in Nova Scotia?

NRC IRAP focuses on R&D and prototype development with technical advisory services. ACOA REGI typically supports productivity, scale‑up, and commercialization. Many manufacturers use both: IRAP for early technology development and ACOA for later‑stage plant upgrades and market growth.

How can helloDarwin help my manufacturing company secure funding?

helloDarwin combines expert consulting with a SaaS platform to map eligibility, align programs, and manage applications. We help manufacturers sequence the Innovation Rebate Program, tax credits, ACOA, IRAP, and CanExport, while tracking timelines and documentation. This integrated approach simplifies complexity and reduces application risk.

Are there grants for clean manufacturing and energy efficiency in Nova Scotia?

Yes. Programs support energy audits, HVAC upgrades, process heat, solar, heat pumps, water and effluent treatment, and ISO 14001/ESG improvements. Clean manufacturing funding can be layered with productivity incentives to improve both costs and emissions performance.

What funding exists for workforce training and apprenticeships?

WIPSI supports productivity and digital skills, including Lean Six Sigma and ERP training. Additional options include apprentices wage support and safety training funding. Align training plans with equipment upgrades to maximize program fit and outcomes.

How do export‑ready manufacturers in Halifax use CanExport?

CanExport can fund market research, trade missions, and international trade shows. Manufacturers should prepare a market selection rationale, budget, and timeline. Combine with product certification funding (CE/UL) and IP protection to accelerate international entry.

When should I engage helloDarwin in the grant process?

Engage early—ideally before procurement—so eligibility, matching funds, and timelines are aligned. helloDarwin can structure a funding roadmap for equipment, automation, clean upgrades, and export plans, ensuring stronger applications and fewer delays.

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