
ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
Last Update: July 24, 2025
NS, Canada
Money to future-proof your Atlantic Canada for-profit business
ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance
Grant Providers
- Government of Canada
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Program status
Open
Overview of the ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit program
If your business is working on a project to transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, become more competitive and create jobs for Canadians, you could get an interest-free, repayable contribution for up to 50% of the project’s costs.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant provides distinct financing modalities to aid businesses and non-profit organizations in covering eligible project costs effectively. These modalities cater to different recipient categories, ensuring that diverse needs are addressed through specific financial arrangements.
- Eligible businesses could receive interest-free repayable contributions for up to 50 percent of eligible costs.
- Eligible non-profit organizations could receive non-repayable contributions for up to 90 percent of eligible costs.
Eligible projects & activities
The Jobs and Growth Fund focuses on supporting projects that transition businesses to a green economy and foster inclusive economic recovery. It also aims to enhance Canada's competitiveness and strengthen capacity in critical economic sectors.
- Activities that support the transition to a green economy, such as developing and adopting clean technology.
- Projects that help communities and businesses drive clean, sustainable economic growth.
- Partnerships with organizations to develop green regional clusters.
- Supporting businesses in transitioning to a green economy.
- Initiatives that support businesses owned by under-represented groups.
- Programs increasing the participation of under-represented groups in the economy.
- Projects that support the adoption of digital and technological solutions.
- Investment in technologies to scale businesses and enhance resilience.
- Activities supporting scale-up and market expansion in traditional and emerging sectors.
- Support for supply chain adaptation and diversification in critical sectors.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 150,000
Launching a workforce training program for under-represented groups in clean tech
$ 200,000
Creating an inclusive coding bootcamp for under-represented communities
$ 250,000
Implementing solar panels on community centers to drive green, sustainable growth
$ 225,000
Adopting blockchain technology for supply chain transparency in agricultural sector
$ 375,000
Developing an AI-driven platform to enhance supply chain resilience and diversification
$ 450,000
Developing a bioplastic production facility to reduce plastic waste and create jobs
Eligibility criteria of the ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit program
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the type of applicant.
- The applicant must be a business, including co-operatives.
- Alternatively, the applicant can be a non-profit organization or a community economic development partner.
- Indigenous applicants and Indigenous-led organizations and businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
Who is eligible?
This grant targets businesses and organizations that aim to create jobs and facilitate long-term economic growth in Canada, through a variety of initiatives tailored towards green economy transition, inclusivity, enhancing competitiveness, and bolstering critical sectors.
- Businesses and cooperatives.
- Non-profit organizations and community economic development partners.
- Indigenous applicants, especially Indigenous-led organizations and/or businesses.
Who is not eligible
Some types of companies are not eligible for the Jobs and Growth Fund grant in Canada:
- Businesses created before January 2020.
Eligible expenses
This grant aims to support activities that transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, preserve competitiveness through digital adoption, and strengthen critical sectors. These initiatives encompass technological, economic, and social aspects to aid businesses and communities in building resilience and capacity for future growth.
- Support the development and adoption of clean technology for a green economy.
- Assist communities and businesses in planning and driving sustainable economic growth.
- Partner with organizations to catalyze the development of green regional clusters.
- Collaborate with organizations supporting the transition to a green economy.
- Support businesses owned or led by under-represented groups to foster an inclusive recovery.
- Increase participation of under-represented groups by backing organizations that offer funding, services, and training.
- Support the development or adoption of digital and technological solutions to enhance productivity.
- Invest in technologies that scale businesses and enhance their capabilities.
- Support scale-up and market expansion in traditional and emerging competitive sectors.
- Aid supply chain adaptation and diversification in critical sectors such as food production and biomanufacturing.
Eligible geographic areas
The ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund is aimed at supporting businesses and organizations within the Atlantic Canada region. Although it is no longer accepting applications, it previously targeted geographical areas served by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Eligibility criteria of the ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit program
The Jobs and Growth Fund has evaluation and selection criteria. Eligible projects are assessed based on their alignment with the fund's objectives and their potential impact on job creation and economic growth.
- Alignment with fund objectives
- Potential impact on job creation
- Potential impact on economic growth
- Feasibility and sustainability of the project
- Ability to leverage other sources of funding
- Benefits to under-represented groups or communities
How to apply to the ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit program
1
Review Eligibility
- Ensure your business or organization is one of the eligible applicants such as businesses, co-operatives, non-profit organizations, community economic development partners, or Indigenous-led organizations.
- Verify that the project activities align with eligible activities like transitioning to a green economy, fostering inclusive recovery, digital adoption, or strengthening critical sectors.
2
Consult the Applicant Guide
Thoroughly read and understand the detailed applicant guide to ensure you have all necessary information and meet all criteria.
3
Prepare Application
- Complete the Jobs and Growth Fund application form online.
- Gather additional supporting documents as outlined in the applicant guide.
4
Submit the Application
- Submit your completed form through the application for financial assistance page.
- Alternatively, send your application by mail to the ACOA regional office in your province.
5
Confirm Submission
- Contact ACOA Business Information Services at 1-888-576-4444 if you have any questions or need confirmation on the submission process.
- Check your email for a confirmation of submission if applicable.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The Jobs and Growth Fund is no longer accepting applications in Atlantic Canada as it is closed.
- The fund distributed $700 million nationally, with specific allocations for new businesses and Indigenous clients.
- This initiative was available through Canada's regional development agencies (RDAs).
- Assistance to eligible businesses and not-for-profit organizations varied in terms of repayable contributions, with specific percentage caps on eligible costs.
- The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) specifically managed the fund in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.
Contact Government of Canada
1-888-576-4444
Apply to this program

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