Open
Access to Talent Program
Wage subsidies for biologically-based innovation companies
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 75,000
Timeline
- Open Date : August 30, 2021
Location
Canada
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.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
- Launch or market a product/service
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
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
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.
Eligibility
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.
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.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Access to Talent Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Access to Talent Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Access to Talent Program?
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.
How much funding can be received?
Access to Talent Program Funds up to 40% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Access to Talent Program program?
To be eligible for the Access to Talent Program program, you must:
Incorporated Canadian SME or start-up with up to 25 employees
Must have a novel natural product or technology aligning with program definitions
Member of Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster
What expenses are eligible under Access to Talent Program?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Access to Talent Program?
You can contact Natural Products Canada (NPC).
Where is the Access to Talent Program available?
The Access to Talent Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Access to Talent Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Access to Talent Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns