Innovation Rebate Program

Eligibility for the Innovation Rebate Program is based on specific criteria related to the nature of the project and investment in Nova Scotia.

• The project must be approved by Invest Nova Scotia under the Innovation Rebate Program.
• The project must involve implementation of new, significantly improved, and/or more sustainable production processes.
• The project should support Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act by improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy use, reducing waste, participating in circular economy activities, or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Projects must aim to scale production capacity for sustainable and clean products.
• The project should strengthen supply chains within Nova Scotia without replacing existing producers.
• Projects must aim to increase production capacity to enter new markets or produce new products.
• The establishment of new production facilities in Nova Scotia is eligible.
• Value-added processing for traditional industries such as forestry, seafood, and agriculture is eligible.
• The project must have a minimum total budgeted Nova Scotia investment of at least $350,000.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies may not be eligible for the Innovation Rebate Program. Eligibility restrictions may apply to certain types of companies based on industry affiliations or specific criteria.

• Companies not based in Nova Scotia.
• Companies with a total budgeted Nova Scotia investment of less than $350,000.
• Companies involved in activities that do not align with the program's objectives.

Eligible expenses

The Innovation Rebate Program in Nova Scotia facilitates projects that bolster competitiveness and sustainability within local businesses. Eligible activities focus on production enhancement, environmental goals, and expansion into new markets.

• Implementation of new, improved, and more sustainable production processes.
• Activities that align with principles of Nova Scotia's Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act, including energy efficiency and renewable energy integration.
• Projects scaling production capacity for sustainable and clean product manufacturing to support Nova Scotia and other sustainable prosperity goals.
• Strengthening supply chains for production without replacing existing local producers.
• Increasing production capacity for market expansion or new product lines.
• Establishing new production facilities in Nova Scotia.
• Value-added processing for traditional industries such as forestry, seafood, and agriculture.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located in Nova Scotia. The eligible locations are defined by Invest Nova Scotia within several regional divisions.

• Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne (South Shore Region)
• Yarmouth, Digby (Western Region)
• Annapolis, Kings, Hants (Valley Region)
• Cumberland, Colchester (Northern Region)
• Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough (Northeastern Region)
• Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness, Victoria (Cape Breton Region)
• Halifax & West, Dartmouth & East (Halifax Regional Municipality)

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Innovation Rebate Program. The evaluation is based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated impact on competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability of the company;
• Alignment with Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act;
• Scalability of production capacity and support for sustainable products;
• Contribution to strengthening supply chains and market expansion;
• Creation of new production facilities or value-added processing in Nova Scotia.

Here is additional relevant detail for this grant:

• The project must be completed within 3 years from the date an application is approved.