Innovation Rebate Program

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Innovation Rebate Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Innovation Rebate Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Innovation Rebate Program?

Innovation Rebate Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia

Q: Who is eligible for the Innovation Rebate Program program?

To be eligible for the Innovation Rebate Program program, you must: • The company must be involved in increasing production capacity or innovating processes within Nova Scotia. • Eligible projects must have a minimum total budgeted Nova Scotia investment of $350,000 excluding tax. • The project should align with the principles of Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Innovation Rebate Program?

You can contact Government of Nova Scotia or by phone at 902-424-8670.

Q: Where is the Innovation Rebate Program available?

The Innovation Rebate Program program is available the province of NS.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Innovation Rebate Program program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Innovation Rebate Program program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NS, Canada

Funding for Nova Scotia SMEs

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Min. $350,000

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

Get a rebate of up to $3,750,000 to cover up to 25% of the project costs for improving your production processes or waste stream processing, for entering new markets and/or producing new products, or establishing new production facilities.

Activities funded

The Innovation Rebate Program supports Nova Scotia companies in enhancing competitiveness through innovative and sustainable projects. Eligible activities focus on process improvements, sustainable growth, and expanding production capabilities across the province.

Implementation of new, significantly improved, and/or more sustainable production processes.
Projects supporting Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals, including energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy integration.
Scaling production capacity for companies producing sustainable and clean products.
Strengthening supply chains to enable production in Nova Scotia.
Increasing production capacity to enter new markets and/or produce new products.
Establishing new production facilities in Nova Scotia.
Value-added processing for traditional industries such as forestry, seafood, and agriculture.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 1,750,000

Building a renewable energy plant

$ 375,000

Upgrading seafood processing facilities for sustainable production

$ 750,000

Creating a new production facility for organic skincare products

$ 250,000

Expanding brewery production to include a new product line

$ 250,000

Implementing a recycling program for agricultural waste

$ 1,250,000

Scaling up the production of eco-friendly packaging materials

Eligibility

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?

Eligible applicants for the Innovation Rebate Program (IRP) are Nova Scotia-based companies that have projects aimed at enhancing competitiveness through innovation and sustainable practices. The following types of projects can seek support under the program:- Implementation of new or improved sustainable production processes.- Projects supporting Nova Scotia’s Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction, such as energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy integration, and waste reduction.- Expanding production capacity for sustainable and clean products.- Strengthening Nova Scotia supply chains without displacing local producers.- Expanding production to access new markets or create new products.- Establishing new production facilities in Nova Scotia.- Value-added processing in traditional sectors like forestry, seafood, and agriculture.Applications are evaluated on an ongoing basis, provided they meet the criteria set out in the Innovation Rebate Program Guidelines, with a minimum project budget of $350,000 and a rebate cap of $15 million.

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)

Selection criteria

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.

How to apply

Confirm Eligibility

Contact a Regional Business Development Advisor to request more information, confirm eligibility, and discuss the eligibility of your project.

Obtain Application Form

Connect with a Regional Business Development Advisor to request an application form.

Prepare Application

Fill out the application form with all required information about your project and company.
Ensure that all required supporting documents and evidence are gathered.

Submit Application

Submit the completed application form via PDF to the Regional Business Development Advisor.

Await Approval

Wait for feedback from Invest Nova Scotia regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Here is additional relevant detail for this grant:

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

Contacts

902-424-8670

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Innovation Rebate Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Innovation Rebate 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.