
Discover Grants and Funding for Small Businesses in the Prairies in 2026
Small business grants in the Prairies help companies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba accelerate innovation, scale operations, and create jobs.
Small businesses are the backbone of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba’s economies, driving innovation and job creation across urban and rural communities. In fact, small firms make up the vast majority of businesses and contribute a significant share of jobs and GDP in these provinces. For example, in Saskatchewan 99% of businesses are small, accounting for nearly 60% of provincial GDP and about 66% of private-sector employment. Given this outsized role, small business grants are vital in the Prairie provinces as they provide entrepreneurs with the capital needed to scale operations, diversify beyond traditional resource industries, and bring new ideas to market.
Grant and FundingOpenSupports Manitoba SMEs to expand exports through trade events
Loans and Capital investmentsOpenBusiness Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) in the Prairie provinces
Repayable support for prairie high-growth business scale-upEligible Funding- From $200,000 to $10,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyInnovation
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Agriculture & Environment (AE) Program
Support for sustainable agriculture and environmental innovationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovation
Grant and FundingOpenRegional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces
Supports Prairie businesses impacted by trade tariffs and disruptions
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedAccelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Tech for Healthy Aging
Accelerates the commercialization of innovative technologies to enhance healthy agingEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpenManitoba — Incoming Buyer Program
Supports hosting international buyers in Manitoba
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationClosedSSRIA – Smart sustainable tech showcase
Showcase low-carbon building technologies
Grant and FundingOpenIndigenous Employment Training Partnerships Program
Funding for group training projects to support Indigenous communities
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta — Value-Added Program
Alberta supports growth in value-added food sectors
Grant and FundingClosedDigital Health Sandbox
Accelerates digital health technology adoption in Alberta clinical settings
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta Media Fund — Project Script Development Grant
Government of Alberta, Alberta Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women (ACSW), Alberta Media Fund, Alberta Municipal AffairsGrant for Alberta film script development
Grant and FundingOpenLRCC — Business Grant & Loan Program
Money for Metis-owned small businesses in Manitoba
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta Innovates — Strategic Networking and Development Program
Funding for technology-focused networking events
Expert AdviceClosedBusiness Link — Digital Economy Program
Digital transformation support for small businesses in Alberta
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)
Funding for Alberta exporters attending international trade events
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceOpenAlberta Innovates — Alberta Digital Traction Program
Non-dilutive funding and coaching to scale Alberta digital tech SMEs
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationExpert AdviceClosedSSRIA – Business Growth Program
Business growth support for cleantech ventures
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Industry R&D Associates Program
Funding for Alberta tech companies hiring R&D expertise
Tax CreditsOpenSaskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI)
Money to invest in tech startups in Sask.Eligible Funding- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 45% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpenSaskatchewan Product Development Program (PDP)
Funding for Saskatchewan value-added agri-food innovation
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceOpenAlberta Innovates — Tech2Farm
Supports Alberta SMEs to commercialize innovative agri-tech solutions- Grant and FundingOpen
Manitoba Mineral Development Fund
Funding for mineral development projects in Manitoba
Other SupportLoans and Capital investmentsOpenSettlement Investment Corporation
Developmental debt financing for the Métis in Alberta
Expert AdviceOpenAlberta Innovates — Technology Development Advisors (TDA)
Free advice for Alberta tech SMEsDiscover how much grant funding is available for your business
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Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.
Grant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedSSRIA – Innovation Fund
Funding for innovative low-carbon building projects
Other SupportGrant and FundingClosedDisaster Financial Assistance (DFA) - Small Businesses
Disaster aid for Manitoba small businesses
Grant and FundingClosedAboriginal Business Investment Fund
Funding for Alberta Indigenous community development
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedCampus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) Program
Funding for Alberta academic-industry technology collaborationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Eligible Industries- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpenRegional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces
Support for responsible AI commercialization and adoptionEligible Funding- From $250,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)Digital Transformation
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedChronic Wasting Disease Research Program
Funding for collaborative CWD research in Alberta
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosedEmerging Innovators Challenge
SME-led clean technology funding in AlbertaEligible Funding- From $250,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Loans and Capital investmentsOpenFirst Peoples Economic Growth Fund – Community Economic Expansion Program
Funding to create jobs for Manitoba First Nations
Grant and FundingOpenBig Future Innovation Grant
Alberta innovation grants for eligible small businesses
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Product Demonstration Program
Voucher for advanced stage development in Alberta
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Enabling Better Health through Artificial Intelligence
Funding innovative AI-driven solutions to advance health in Alberta
Grant and FundingClosedAFA — Artist Manager Program Funding
Funding for Alberta musicians' professional development at CMI
Tax CreditsOpenAlberta Innovation Employment Grant (IEG)
Refundable tax credit for Alberta R&D investments
Grant and FundingClosedSTIP — Community Airport Program
Funding for community airport infrastructure improvements
Other SupportOpenBusiness Link — Market Research Services
Research services for small businesses in Alberta
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta Innovates — Digital Innovation in Clean Energy (DICE)
Funding for digital clean energy technology developmentEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Types of eligible projectsArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateInnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Voucher Program
Supports Alberta tech SMEs to commercialize innovative, market-ready technologies
Grant and FundingClosedMade in Saskatchewan Technology Program (MIST)
Contract opportunities for SK technology companies
Grant and FundingWage Subsidies And InternsClosedAlberta Innovates — Industry Commercialization Associates
Support for commercialization-focused employee salaries
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingArchivedAlberta Innovates — Agri-Food and Bioindustrial Innovation Program
Funding for agri-food and bioindustrial innovationEligible Funding- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Eligible Industries- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
Types of eligible projectsCommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyEnvironment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation InnovationDigital Transformation
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta Innovates — Commercialization Associates Program
Wage subsidy for commercialization associate's salary in Alberta
Grant and FundingClosedAccelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Market Access
Funding for Alberta health technology market access
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingArchivedAlberta Innovates — International Technology Partnership (ITP) Program
Support to de-risk the commercialization of innovative technology in AlbertaFind tailored funding for your business
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Grant and FundingClosedAccelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Concepts
Advances digital health research into innovation
Grant and FundingClosedRe-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy
Money for employee training in Saskatchewan
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant (AMPG)
Funding for Alberta manufacturers to enhance productivity through technology adoption
Grant and FundingOpenCanada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CSJG)
Employer-led training support for businesses
Wage Subsidies And InternsClosedTECHNATION — Calgary Wage Subsidy Program
Wage subsidies for tech skill development in Calgary businesses
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenShare and Connect: Indigenous Community Arts
Supports Indigenous arts and cultural development
Expert AdviceOpenLRCC — Business Advisory
Advisory services for Metis-owned small businesses in Manitoba
Grant and FundingClosedActive Communities Initiative
Supports developing and improving public community sport and recreation facilities
Tax CreditsOpenManitoba green energy equipment tax credit
Manitoba tax credit for installing green energy equipment
Grant and FundingOpenAFA — Indigenous Arts Individual Project Funding
Funding for Indigenous arts projects in Alberta
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenWorkforce Training and Employment — Employment Partnerships
Financial support for labour force development in Manitoba
Grant and FundingOpenCarbon Capture Kickstart
Funding pre-construction studies for industrial carbon capture projects in Alberta
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingExpert AdviceClosedAccelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Validate
Funding for Alberta health tech validation
Grant and FundingOpenAlberta Innovates — Micro Voucher Program
Supports Alberta tech companies in developing innovative technological solutions
Researchers And FacilitiesGrant and FundingClosedLife Science Fellowships
Support for life science startup commercialization
Other SupportGrant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsOpenPrairiesCan — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI)
Funding to recover Canada's aerospace sector in the Prairie region
Tax CreditsOpenManitoba Small Business Venture Capital Tax Credit Program (SBVCTC)
Government of Manitoba, Department of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation (MN), Manitoba Housing (MHRC)New-investment small business tax credit in Manitoba
Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsOpenRenewable and Alternative Energy Program
Funds clean energy technologies for Alberta’s low‑carbon electricity transition
Grant and FundingOpenIndigenous Peoples Art and Artists
Supports Indigenous art projects in Saskatchewan
Grant and FundingClosedEnergy Savings for Business Program
Funding for Alberta SMEs to improve efficiency
Tax CreditsOpenManitoba community enterprise development tax credit
Tax credit for Manitoba community enterprise development
Grant and FundingSuspendedWorkforce Training and Employment — Labour Market Partnerships
Financial support for labour market development in Manitoba
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpenArtists in Schools
Arts collaboration funding for schools and artists
Grant and FundingOpenAFA — Theatre Individual Project Funding
Funding for Alberta theatre project development
Grant and FundingOpenAFA — Public Art Galleries Operating Funding
Operating support for public art galleries
Grant and FundingClosedAlberta Media Fund — Alberta Made Production Grant
Government of Alberta, Alberta Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women (ACSW), Alberta Municipal AffairsFunds for small-budget productions in Alberta
Loans and Capital investmentsOpenCommunity Futures Alberta — Financial Supports
Funding for rural SMEs in Alberta
Grant and FundingClosedRestrictions Exemption Program Implementation Grant
One-time support for REP implementation
Grant and FundingOpenAFA — Community Support Organizations Operating Funding
Annual operating support for arts organizations
Grant and FundingArchivedAlberta Innovates — Land and Biodiversity Program
Support for sustainable land and biodiversity innovation
Grant and FundingWage Subsidies And InternsOpenAlberta Innovates — R&D Associates Program
Wage subsidy for an R&D associate in Alberta