Open
Access to Talent Program
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Canada
Wage subsidies for biologically-based innovation companies
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Overview
Canadian SMEs or start-up companies can receive up to 40% of the cost of a new employee’s salary to a maximum of $75,000 in order to carry out a project that supports the development of a natural product or technology.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Selling in a new market
- Marketing a product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : August 30, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Activities funded
- Advancement of innovative natural products or technologies from research to commercial readiness.
- Development and scaling up of new biologically-based products for various industries such as food, agriculture, health, or sustainability.
- Execution of business development strategies to support commercialization efforts.
- Design and implementation of marketing or sales strategies for novel natural technologies.
- Preparation and execution of regulatory strategies, including data collection for regulatory submissions.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 75,000
Scaling up the production of a new organic skincare line
$ 38,000
Creating a marketing strategy for a new eco-friendly cleaning product
$ 60,000
Implementing a regulatory strategy for a new health supplement
$ 72,000
Developing a new eco-friendly packaging technology for food products
$ 50,000
Developing a new app for mental health monitoring
$ 44,000
Fundraising activities to support a new renewable energy solution
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an incorporated Canadian SME or start-up with up to 25 employees.
- The company must have a novel natural product or technology that aligns with NPC’s definition of natural products or technologies and be at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4-9.
- The project should have potential for significant economic, social, health, or environmental benefits and commercialization in Canada.
- The company must demonstrate the potential to achieve $10–15 million in annual revenue within a reasonable timeframe for its market or sector.
- The company must be a member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
Who is eligible?
- Canadian SMEs and start-up companies with up to 25 employees operating in the natural products or technologies sector
- Companies developing biologically-based innovations leveraging or enhancing naturally-occurring molecules
- Organizations focused on food production and value-added agriculture
- Enterprises in bioproducts and sustainability
- Businesses involved in human and animal health, nutrition, wellness, and water and waste management
Eligible expenses
- Salary costs for new full-time employees hired specifically for the project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies incorporated in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Novelty of the natural product or technology.
- Market opportunity and potential for commercialization in Canada.
- Strength and capacity of the management team.
- Qualifications of the candidate to be hired.
- Impact and achievement of key milestones within the project.
How to apply
1
Initial Contact
- Contact NPC at [email protected] to express interest in the program.
- Ensure you have basic information about your company and the project ready for discussion.
2
Eligibility Assessment
- An NPC team member will follow up to review eligibility based on the Minimum Eligibility Requirements.
- Prepare to discuss the project scope, the key position(s) to be filled, and any identified candidate(s).
3
Invitation to Apply
If eligibility criteria are met, your company will be invited to submit a formal application.
4
Application Preparation
- Gather information about the natural product or technology, including novelty, market opportunity, and key milestones.
- Detail the qualifications of the candidate and their role in achieving project milestones.
5
Application Submission
- Submit the completed application and any supporting documents as directed by NPC.
- Ensure all sections are thoroughly completed and meet NPC’s requirements.
6
Application Review
- The NPC team will review the application and provide feedback if necessary.
- Revise the application based on feedback, if required.
7
Final Review and Decision
- If revised, resubmit the application for the final review by the NPC Commercialization Sub-Committee.
- Await notification of the funding decision.
8
Notification and Feedback
- Receive notification of the decision.
- If unsuccessful, review any feedback provided. Appeals can be made in writing within 15 days of the decision.
Additional information
- Successful applicants are required to pay a non-refundable project administration fee of 5% of total project costs plus GST/HST.
- Applications will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- All applications are treated as confidential and only accessed by those directly involved in the evaluation process.
- Unsuccessful applicants may appeal the decision by submitting a written objection within 15 days of notification.
