Grants and Funding in Nova Scotia in 2026 for Businesses
Explore government grants, funding programs, and financial support available to help your business grow, innovate, and expand in 2026.
An overview of the main grants and funding opportunities available to Nova Scotia businesses in 2026.
192 opportunities available
Grant and FundingOpen
CED — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative
Supports AI technology development and adoption by Canadian SMEs
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)
Grant and FundingClosed
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic Canada
Supports Atlantic Canadian SMEs impacted by international trade tariffs
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)
Types of eligible projects
CommercializationTechnologyInnovationDigital Transformation
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) — Business Scale-up and Productivity — ACOA
Financing to accelerate growth in Atlantic Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Accelerating to Zero Grant Program
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3), The Recreation Foundation of British Columbia (RFBC), University of Regina Open Education and Publishing Program (OEP)
Support for innovative equitable low-carbon transition projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Atlantic Canada
Funding for Atlantic businesses integrating into defence supply chains
Grant and FundingOpen
ACOA — Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund in Atlantic Canada
Supports Black-led non-profits delivering business support services
Grant and FundingOpen
Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Long-Term Projects
Funding for long-term Indigenous artistic projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Innovative Communities Fund (ICF)
Supports economic development projects in Atlantic Canadian communities
Grant and FundingOpen
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Building Optimization
Optimize building energy efficiency with low-cost measures
Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsOpen
Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8)
Tourism Relief Fund offers financial support for tourism growth
Grant and FundingOpen
Seafood Accelerator Program — Market Access Food Safety Program
Supports overcoming food safety barriers for market access
Other SupportGrant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Agriculture Program
Energy rebates for agricultural businesses
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
START Program
Financial incentives for Nova Scotia employers with a labour need
Grant and FundingClosed
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative
Supports capacity and improvements for Nova Scotia beef processors
Expert AdviceOpen
ACOA Business Information Services — Nova Scotia
Advice and expertise for entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Reciprocity Health Fund
Supports community health initiatives in specific regions
Grant and FundingClosed
Invest Nova Scotia — Greenshoots
Funding for early-stage businesses in Nova Scotia
Partnering and CollaborationExpert AdviceOpen
Asia Market Development Program
Advice to help you expand into the Asian market
Grant and FundingOpen
Early Years Continuing Education Program
Financial support for continuing education for childcare providers
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety
Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies in quality and food safety projects
Grant and FundingOpen
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Affordable Multifamily Housing Program
Rebates for energy efficient upgrades in affordable multifamily housing
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Grant and FundingOpen
Operate - Activate
Provides operational support for arts organizations in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations
Supports operational costs of established cultural organizations in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Atlantic Fisheries Fund – Atlantic innovation, infrastructure or science partnerships funding
Funding for innovation, infrastructure and science projects in the Atlantic
Other SupportExpert AdviceOpen
Launch Export Atlantic Incubator
Support from subject matter experts for export capacity
Grant and FundingOpen
Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund
Funding for film and television production in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation (Atlantic Companies Only)
Sustainable food practices support for Atlantic Canada businesses
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
CBDC Chaleur Future Entrepreneur Loan
Loan for young entrepreneurs in New Brunswick
Grant and FundingClosed
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund
Supports energy efficiency and innovation in Nova Scotia fisheries
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosed
Food Ventures Program
Supports Nova Scotia food businesses with quality and safety services
Grant and FundingClosed
Diversity and Community Capacity Fund and Community and Cultural Identities Fund
Support for community diversity and cultural understanding initiatives.
Grant and FundingClosed
Market Opportunities and Diversification Program
Funding to help producers with local and export activities
Expert AdviceOpen
ACOA Business Information Services — Prince Edward Island
Advice and expertise for entrepreneurs in Prince Edward Island
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Small Business Energy Solutions
Rebates and financing for small business energy upgrades
Tax CreditsOpen
Nova Scotia innovation equity tax credit
Tax incentive encouraging investment in innovative Nova Scotia businesses
Grant and FundingOpen
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Science Partnerships
Funding to study ecosystem impacts on Atlantic fisheries
Grant and FundingClosed
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Beneficial Management Practices Program
Supports Nova Scotian farms adopting sustainable energy-efficient practices
Grant and FundingClosed
Community Generator Program
Support for community centres to purchase emergency generators and enhance resilience
Grant and FundingOpen
Workplace Education Initiative (WEI)
Customized, fully funded workplace skills training for Nova Scotians
Tax CreditsOpen
Atlantic Investment Tax Credit
Supports investments in Atlantic Canada's new buildings and equipment
Grant and FundingClosed
Job Creation Partnerships (JCP)
Support for Nova Scotia workers’ skills development
Grant and FundingOpen
Business Development Program (BDP)
Funding to help businesses in Atlantic Canada
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Invest Nova Scotia — Investment
Early stage investment for Nova Scotia innovators
Expert AdviceOpen
Consulting Advisory Services
Funds for business advisory services in Newfoundland and Labrador
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Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
CBDC NB Small Business Emergency Working Capital Program
Financial help for small businesses in NB
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpen
Efficiency Nova Scotia — Commercial New Construction
Incentivizes energy-efficient design for new commercial constructions
Grant and FundingClosed
Plant Your Roots Program — Commercial Farm Purchases
Funding for new commercial farming in Nova Scotia
N
Grant and FundingOpen
Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Fund
Supports Black-led community housing sector growth in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Nova Scotia — Export Development Program
Support for export growth in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Community Recreation Capital Grant
Supports development of community recreational infrastructure with capital funding
Grant and FundingClosed
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Infrastructure
Funding to improve sustainability in Atlantic fisheries
Grant and FundingClosed
ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — Non Profit
Money to future-proof your Atlantic Canada non-profit
Grant and FundingClosed
Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF)
Canadian Experiences Fund supports innovative tourism projects expansion
Grant and FundingOpen
ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
Money to future-proof your Atlantic Canada for-profit business
Other SupportExpert AdviceClosed
ACOA Business Information Services — New Brunswick
Free advice and expertise for entrepreneurs in New Brunswick
Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsArchived
Aboriginal Business Loans — Youth and Womens Loans
Loans for Indigenous youth and women entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada
Expert AdviceLoans and Capital investmentsOpen
CBDC Immigrant Loan program — Pilot Project
Loans for immigrants to start businesses with support services
N
Grant and FundingOpen
Nova Scotia Community Housing Capital Fund
Financial support for acquiring affordable rental properties in Nova Scotia
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
CBDC Social Enterprise Loan
Loans for social enterprises in Atlantic Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Harvester Training
Supports Indigenous commercial fisheries training and capacity development
Grant and FundingOpen
Mi'kmaw Cultural Activities Program
Supports cultural activities reinforcing Mi'kmaw traditions and language
Grant and FundingClosed
Disaster Financial Assistance Program — Non-profits
Funding for Nova Scotia wildfire damage to non-profits
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
CBDC Kick$tart
Loan for young entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador
Loans and Capital investmentsOpen
Community Futures Program
Provides business loans and support for economic development
Grant and FundingOpen
Sponsorship or Donation Requests
Support for youth and environmental community initiatives
Grant and FundingArchived
Business Energy Rebates
Rebates on energy efficiency equipment in Nova Scotia
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Grant and FundingOpen
Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)
Supports Indigenous communities in business and fisheries development
Grant and FundingClosed
Value-adding Equipment Program
Funding for agricultural and agri-food businesses in Nova Scotia
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Employment Incentives Program
Wage assistance for employers in Nova Scotia
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Clean Foundation — Science Horizons Youth Internship
Subsidized intern to help combat climate change
Wage Subsidies And InternsClosed
Cooperative Education Incentive
Wage assistance for university and college co-operative students in Nova Scotia
Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen
Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program
Subsidy for Nova Scotia graduate salaries
Grant and FundingOpen
Creative Entrepreneurship Program
Resources for Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, craft entrepreneurs
Tax CreditsClosed
New Small Business Tax Deduction
Tax credit for newly incorporated Nova Scotia businesses
Tax CreditsClosed
New Brunswick Digital Media Tax Credit
Tax credit for interactive digital media production in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingClosed
Strategic Development Initiative
Supports heritage sector revitalization and community partnerships
Grant and FundingClosed
Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant
Funding for new commercial farming in Nova Scotia
Grant and FundingOpen
Grants to Organizations and Groups
Financial support for arts organizations and artist groups in Nova Scotia
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
Grant and FundingClosed
ACOA — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative
Funding to recover Atlantic aerospace sector
Grant and FundingOpen
Agri-Industry Development & Advancement — Business Development (Agricultural Organizations and Associations)
Development funds for New Brunswick agri-industry groups
Expert AdviceOpen
Europe Market Development Program
Development support for Atlantic exporting companies
Grant and FundingOpen
Atlantic Innovation Fund — Private Sector Businesses
Financial backing for technology R&D in Atlantic Canada
Wage Subsidies And InternsClosed
Energy Training Program for Students
Funding for Nova Scotia students and recent graduates in the energy sector
Grant and FundingClosed
Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund (FAEEIF)
Provincial funding for sustainable energy-efficient fisheries practices
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