Open
Source verified August 28, 2026
Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program
Supports Ontario shipbuilders' growth and modernization
Funding available
$ 7,000,000
Deadline
October 20, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated, for-profit businesses legally established under the laws of Canada or the Province of Ontario.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program supports incorporated for-profit businesses and Indigenous businesses in Ontario to strengthen shipbuilding competitiveness through competitive, non-repayable funding. Eligible projects focus on infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and workforce training initiatives, including shipyard upgrades, digital productivity tools, and employee upskilling.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Increase operational productivity
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Infrastructure initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
- Machinery and equipment initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
- Workforce training initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
Documents Needed
- Financial statements from each of the previous three fiscal years, audited financial statements in accordance with IAS/CAS preferred or a review engagement; internally prepared financial documents are not accepted, and statements must meet IFRS or ASPE and include a balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow statement.
- A copy of articles of incorporation and/or letters patent.
- Tax Compliance Verification (TCV) Certificate.
- Where the Lead Applicant is working with Project Partners, a letter of support from each Project Partner that includes the Project Partner’s role in the project, any funding contribution, a statement of support, and is signed and dated by a senior management official with signing authority.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated, for-profit businesses legally established under the laws of Canada or the Province of Ontario.
- Indigenous Businesses.
- A consortium may apply through one Lead Applicant, and only the Lead Applicant can submit the application.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses whose Principal Business is the construction, refitting, retrofitting, repairing and/or maintenance of watercraft for tourism or for personal or private recreational use, or whose Principal Business relates to the supply chain for those activities.
- Businesses that are in the process of, or currently preparing for, closure, dissolution, bankruptcy, or sale.
Eligible expenses
- Infrastructure costs associated with the purchase, construction, and installation of new shipyard infrastructure, and with new facility modifications or upgrades associated with the project.
- Machinery and equipment costs for new or refurbished machinery and equipment, as well as new digital equipment, software and licensing, and other technology to improve productivity and efficiency.
- Workforce training and upskilling costs, including employee enrollment in classroom training from a recognized, authorized, registered and/or licensed educational institution; on-site employer-led training delivered with such an institution; training materials and resources; and new equipment to facilitate training or upskilling.
- Professional and technical services, including specialized third-party expertise, consulting and professional services; municipal permits, inspections and other fees directly attributable to the project; and one-time labour costs for internal employees to set up or install equipment, technology, or systems, capped at 5% of total Eligible Expenditures for the project.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Costs that have been or will be funded or reimbursed by one or more third parties, ministries, agencies, or organizations of the Government of Ontario, including costs already funded or reimbursed by the OSGP under previous intakes.
- Legal or audit fees; purchase costs of land or buildings; lease or rental costs for buildings or facilities.
- Equipment, technology, or infrastructure that forms part of, or is integrated into, final products intended for commercial sale or lease.
- General facility maintenance services, ongoing shipyard operations costs, food and beverages, insurance costs and premiums, travel and airfare costs, debt service costs, federal or provincial income taxes, and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).
- Employee and executive salaries and benefits, project administration costs related to managing and reporting on project funding, costs for annual general meetings, fundraising activities, tournaments, conferences, receptions, parties, festivals, or religious activities, training not directly related to the project, and costs associated with developing an application to the OSGP.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Selection criteria
- Project Information (10%) and Project Work Plan (10%): clearly defined project scope, detailed description, measurable objectives and outcomes, capacity and experience, sequenced milestones, timelines, and preparedness.
- Risks and Mitigation (10%): clearly articulated project risks and proactive mitigation measures.
- Performance Measures (20%): complete responses, defined unit of measure, baseline and target values, and verifiable data sources.
- Project Budget (15%): clear breakdown of eligible project costs, credible budget preparation methods, and good value for money.
- Project Impact and Benefits (35%): sourcing from Ontario and Canadian suppliers, sector challenges and project need, alignment with OSGP objectives, net new FTE jobs in Ontario, and impacts on equity-deserving communities.
How to apply
- Set up a My Ontario Account with Transfer Payment Ontario (TPON).
- Submit the application through TPON.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Ministry, which has sole authority to decide which eligible projects are funded.
- Successful applicants will be notified in writing and required to enter into a transfer payment agreement.
- If selected, the Lead Applicant becomes the Recipient and is accountable for managing and executing the project, managing funds, and satisfying performance and reporting obligations.
- Recipients must submit claims in accordance with the TPA, provide quarterly reports with claim details and supporting documentation, and submit a final report after project completion.
- The Ministry may request additional information during application review and may contact local municipalities to confirm project viability and/or support.
Additional information
- The program is discretionary and competitive, and eligibility does not guarantee funding.
- Successful applicants must enter into a transfer payment agreement, and the TPA prevails if it conflicts with the guideline.
- The Ministry may amend the guideline or terminate the program at any time without liability, penalty, or costs.
- The Ministry may contact local municipalities to confirm the viability and/or support of the proposed project.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program Program
What is the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program?
The Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program supports incorporated for-profit businesses and Indigenous businesses in Ontario to strengthen shipbuilding competitiveness through competitive, non-repayable funding. Eligible projects focus on infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and workforce training initiatives, including shipyard upgrades, digital productivity tools, and employee upskilling.
How much funding can be received?
Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $7,000,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is October 20, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program program, you must:
Applicants must be incorporated, for-profit businesses legally established under the laws of Canada or the Province of Ontario, or Indigenous Businesses.
At least one-third of annual business revenue must come from shipbuilding or the shipbuilding supply chain.
The business must be located and operating within Ontario and not be preparing for closure, dissolution, bankruptcy, or sale.
What expenses are eligible under Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program?
Infrastructure initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
Machinery and equipment initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
Workforce training initiatives in Ontario that support shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply chain.
Who can I contact for more information about the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program?
You can contact Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MOI) by email at marine@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-866-711-8304.
Where is the Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program available?
The Ontario Shipbuilding Grant Program program is available the province of Ontario.