Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is a governmental department in Canada focused on creating programs that strengthen the labor market and improve Canadians' quality of life. It offers funding and grants to support employment, skills development, and social innovation for businesses and non-profit organizations, aiming to foster economic growth and social inclusion. View Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)'s website for more information.

129 programs available

Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Canada-Saskatchewan Workforce Tariff Response
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Saskatchewan
Supports tariff-impacted workers through training
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Saskatchewan, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Canada-Yukon Workforce Tariff Response
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Yukon
Monthly support for eligible families
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 570,000,000 $
Eligible Industries
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation and warehousing
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for Red Seal trades training equipment
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible Industries
Construction
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyEnvironment and Climate
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Income support for parents of missing or deceased children
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Community Workforce Development Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports workforce planning and skills training
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for community workforce planning and retraining
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Manufacturing
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Other SupportClosed
EI regular benefits
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Income support for unemployed workers
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Wage Subsidies And InternsClosed
ESDC — Apprenticeship Service Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for SMEs to take part in apprenticeship
Eligible Funding
Minimum amount : 5,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : October 24, 2022
Closing date : March 31, 2024
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Money for projects that support women in apprenticeship
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : October 12, 2022
Closing date : December 1, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Early Learning and Child Care small projects component under the Enabling Accessibility Fund
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for accessible child care centre improvements
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 70,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyConstruction and Renovation Digital Transformation
Timeline
Open Date : December 3, 2021
Closing date : February 14, 2022
Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Employment Assistance Services (Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for employment services in minority-language communities
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : April 11, 2024
Closing date : June 20, 2024
Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for accessibility projects across Canada
Eligible Funding
From $500,000 to $1,000,000
Eligible Industries
Construction
Manufacturing
Retail trade
Information and cultural industries
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation Digital Transformation
Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Enabling Accessibility Fund - Enabling Accessibility Fund for mid-sized projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for accessible workplaces and communities
Eligible Funding
From $500,000 to $1,000,000
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation
Timeline
Closing date : December 13, 2023
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) — Solicited Call for funding for organizations to support development and enhance community vitality
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports community vitality in minority language communities
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : November 2, 2022
Closing date : November 30, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities - Employment Assistance Services
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports minority-language employment services
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : April 11, 2024
Closing date : June 20, 2024
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Enhancing Access to Professional Sign Language Interpretation - Step 2 – Solicited Proposals
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports access to professional sign language interpretation
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : December 15, 2023
Closing date : February 9, 2024
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Enhancing Access to Professional Sign Language Interpretation – Call for Concepts
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports access to professional sign language interpretation
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human ResourcesInnovation
Timeline
Open Date : August 11, 2023
Closing date : September 15, 2023
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Equitable Access to Reading Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Expands access to alternate format reading materials
Eligible Funding
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Closing date : June 19, 2024
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Foreign Credential Recognition Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports foreign credential recognition and newcomer integration
Eligible Funding
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Closing date : June 30, 2026
Canada
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Foreign Credential Recognition Program – Innovation and skilled newcomer employment
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports innovative newcomer employment projects
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 800,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
TechnologyHuman ResourcesInnovation
Timeline
Open Date : March 7, 2019
Closing date : April 11, 2019
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Funding WORBE: Workplace opportunities: Removing barriers to equity
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports employment equity solutions and measurable workplace inclusion results
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : January 5, 2026
Closing date : February 27, 2026
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports innovative early learning and child care projects
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Timeline
Open Date : October 29, 2020
Closing date : January 7, 2021
Canada
Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Funding for Longitudinal Research Projects Stream – Work Integration Social Enterprises Phase II
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for longitudinal WISE research projects
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 550,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : August 30, 2022
Closing date : October 13, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Funding: International Trade and Labour
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for international labour-related initiatives
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
Eligible Industries
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Funding: Occupational Health and Safety
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for workplace health and safety projects
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
Educational services
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Monthly tax-free support for eligible seniors
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 1,123 $
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for Indigenous child care quality improvements
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Timeline
Closing date : April 16, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingWage Subsidies And InternsClosed
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — First Nations Labour Market Strategy
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports First Nations skills and employment development
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 70,000,000 $
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — Inuit Labour Market Strategy
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for Inuit skills and employment development
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 70,000,000 $
Eligible Industries
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — Urban and non-affiliated labour market stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports Indigenous employment and skills development initiatives
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 70,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Investment Readiness Program – Stream 2: Ecosystem builder (Round 2)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports social innovation and social finance ecosystem building
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Timeline
Open Date : January 10, 2022
Closing date : February 18, 2022
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Métis nation labour market funding stream — Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Canada
Supports Métis employment and skills development
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 70,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
National operating funding stream - Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Capacity funding for national disability organizations
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 600,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : March 28, 2022
Closing date : May 27, 2022
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Network of Early Childhood Stakeholders (NECS) and Implementation of Early Learning and Child Care Initiatives in Francophone Official Language Minority Communities
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for Francophone early learning and child care coordination
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : October 1, 2024
Closing date : November 13, 2024
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
New Horizons for Seniors Program - Community-based Projects
New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for seniors-focused community projects
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 50,000 $
Eligible Industries
Public administration
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation
Alberta, Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities — National or Regional Component
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for disability inclusion and accessibility
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 15,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Closing date : July 22, 2022
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Partnership Fund
CDE of the Laurentians (CDE), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for Indigenous skills training partnerships
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human ResourcesDigital Transformation
Timeline
Open Date : February 28, 2022
Closing date : May 9, 2022
Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program-Solicited Call
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports innovative retirement savings pilots for care workers
Eligible Funding
From $1,000,000 to $30,000,000
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Timeline
Open Date : November 25, 2024
Closing date : January 24, 2025
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program– Call for Concepts – Step 1
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for PSW retirement savings pilots
Eligible Funding
From $1,000,000 to $30,000,000
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Open Date : November 25, 2024
Closing date : January 24, 2025
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Sectoral Initiatives Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for sectoral skills and workforce solutions
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 2,500,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : January 22, 2021
Closing date : March 4, 2021
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding to support employers toward economic recovery
Eligible Funding
Up to 10% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Closing date : March 31, 2024
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Skills for Success - Research and Innovation Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for research and innovation in workforce skills
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 7,500,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human ResourcesInnovation
Timeline
Closing date : March 9, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Skills for Success - Training and Tools Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for skills training and assessment tools
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Human Resources
Timeline
Closing date : March 9, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Skills for Success Program — Research and Innovation Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for research to support the skills development of adults
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 7,500,000 $
Up to 50% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human ResourcesInnovation
Timeline
Open Date : January 26, 2022
Closing date : March 9, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Skills for Success Program — Training and Tools Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for foundational and transferable skills training and development
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
Up to 100% of project cost
Types of eligible projects
Human ResourcesDigital Transformation
Timeline
Open Date : January 26, 2022
Closing date : March 9, 2022
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Social Development Partnerships Program - Supporting Black Canadian Communities Call for Proposals
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for Black-led community space improvements
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Construction and Renovation
Timeline
Open Date : June 26, 2020
Closing date : July 31, 2020
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component - Disability Benefits Navigation (Navigation Services)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Supports disability benefits navigation services
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Innovation
Timeline
Open Date : December 5, 2024
Closing date : January 16, 2025
Quebec, Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Social Development Partnerships Program — Children and families component
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Support for children and families initiatives
Eligible Funding
Varies by project
Eligible Industries
All industries
Types of eligible projects
Canada
Grant and FundingClosed
Solicited Call - General Social Survey - Giving, Volunteering and Participating
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for social survey analysis and dissemination
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 166,666 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : November 4, 2024
Closing date : December 20, 2024
Canada
Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingClosed
Solicited Call - Social Partnership Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Funding for social inclusion in minority-language communities
Eligible Funding
Maximum amount : 4,325,000 $
Types of eligible projects
Timeline
Open Date : January 8, 2024
Closing date : February 16, 2024
Canada

Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Canada-Saskatchewan Workforce Tariff Response

Canada-Yukon Workforce Tariff Response

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment

Canadian Benefit for Parents of Young Victims of Crime

Community Workforce Development Program

Community Workforce Development Program — Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative

EI regular benefits

ESDC — Apprenticeship Service Program

ESDC — Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative

Early Learning and Child Care small projects component under the Enabling Accessibility Fund

Employment Assistance Services (Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities)

Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF)

Enabling Accessibility Fund - Enabling Accessibility Fund for mid-sized projects

Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities (EF-OLMC) — Solicited Call for funding for organizations to support development and enhance community vitality

Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities - Employment Assistance Services

Enhancing Access to Professional Sign Language Interpretation - Step 2 – Solicited Proposals

Enhancing Access to Professional Sign Language Interpretation – Call for Concepts

Equitable Access to Reading Program

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Foreign Credential Recognition Program – Innovation and skilled newcomer employment

Funding WORBE: Workplace opportunities: Removing barriers to equity

Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Innovation

Funding for Longitudinal Research Projects Stream – Work Integration Social Enterprises Phase II

Funding: International Trade and Labour

Funding: Occupational Health and Safety

Guaranteed Income Supplement

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — First Nations Labour Market Strategy

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — Inuit Labour Market Strategy

Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program — Urban and non-affiliated labour market stream

Investment Readiness Program – Stream 2: Ecosystem builder (Round 2)

Métis nation labour market funding stream — Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program

National operating funding stream - Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability

Network of Early Childhood Stakeholders (NECS) and Implementation of Early Learning and Child Care Initiatives in Francophone Official Language Minority Communities

New Horizons for Seniors Program - Community-based Projects

Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities — National or Regional Component

Partnership Fund

Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program-Solicited Call

Personal Support Worker Retirement Savings Innovation Program– Call for Concepts – Step 1

Sectoral Initiatives Program

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program

Skills for Success - Research and Innovation Stream

Skills for Success - Training and Tools Stream

Skills for Success Program — Research and Innovation Stream

Skills for Success Program — Training and Tools Stream

Social Development Partnerships Program - Supporting Black Canadian Communities Call for Proposals

Social Development Partnerships Program – Disability Component - Disability Benefits Navigation (Navigation Services)

Social Development Partnerships Program — Children and families component

Solicited Call - General Social Survey - Giving, Volunteering and Participating

Solicited Call - Social Partnership Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities