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PEI — Business Development Program

Q: Who is eligible for the PEI — Business Development Program program?

To be eligible for the PEI — Business Development Program program, you must: The applicant must be a small or medium-sized enterprise established in the province of Prince Edward Island. The business must demonstrate potential for growth and development through the proposed project. The company should exhibit financial stability and compliance with local business regulations.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the PEI — Business Development Program?

You can contact Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI).

Q: Where is the PEI — Business Development Program available?

The PEI — Business Development Program program is available the province of Prince Edward Island.

Q: Is the PEI — Business Development Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

PEI — Business Development Program is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the PEI — Business Development Program?

PEI — Business Development Program is funded by Government of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Department of Agriculture and Land (PEI)

Last Update: October 27, 2025

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Business training and planning funding for agri-businesses in Prince Edward Island

Grant and Funding

Department of Agriculture and Land (PEI)

Government of Prince Edward Island

Overview

The grant program offers a maximum funding amount of CAD 100,000, aimed at supporting innovative technology projects that enhance productivity and competitiveness in the Canadian market. Eligible activities include research and development, prototype testing, and commercialization efforts.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Develop a new product

Research and experimental development

Develop employee skills

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Prince Edward Island

Legal structures

All legal structures

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Activities funded

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 15,000

Benchmarking cattle ranching operations against industry standards

$ 15,000

Creating a business plan for a new farm-to-table restaurant

$ 70,000

Organizational development for the Maritime Grain Producers Association

$ 70,000

Expanding the domestic market for organic strawberries

$ 60,000

Launching a skills training program for dairy farm employees

$ 15,000

Risk management training for vegetable growers

Eligibility

The Business Development Program specifies eligibility criteria for each of its four sub-programs. Below are the summarized criteria for each sub-program:

Training Sub-Program:
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
Agricultural producers
Farm employees
Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
Agri-processors
Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
Others may be considered upon request
Business Planning Sub-Program:
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
Agricultural producers
Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
Agri-processors
Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
Others may be considered upon request
Benchmarking and Risk Management Sub-Program:
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
Agricultural producers
Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
Agri-processors
Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
Others may be considered upon request
Building Sector Capacity Sub-Program:
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
Municipal and provincial government

Who is eligible?

Yes. The Business Development Program has specific types of eligible companies that can apply for funding:

Agricultural producers
Small to medium-sized agri-businesses
Agri-processors
Agriculture industry organizations, clubs, and associations
Mi’kmaq First Nations and other Indigenous groups
Municipal and provincial government

Who is not eligible

Some types of companies may not be eligible for this grant. These can include:

Non-profit organizations
Government entities

Eligible expenses

The Business Development Program covers a range of eligible expenses aimed at enhancing the capacity of agricultural producers and businesses in PEI.

Skills training
Business planning
Organizational development
Benchmarking activities
Risk management activities
Market expansion initiatives

How to apply

Obtain the Application Form and Appendices

Visit the PEI Department of Agriculture's website or contact them via email or phone to get the Business Development Program General Application Form and the required appendices relevant to the sub-program you're applying for.

Collect Applicant Information

Prepare your contact information, including business or organization details, CRA registration number, and partnership information if applicable.

Define the Project

Specify the project start and end date.

Identify Additional Funding Sources

List any other sources of funding that will be used for the project.

Classify Recipient and Industry Type

Identify the recipient type (primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor) and the type of industry (dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds).

Provide Declaration and Consent

Sign the application form to declare and give consent for personal information.

Submit Demographic Information (optional)

Provide optional demographic information if desired.

Complete Relevant Appendices

Complete respective appendices according to the sub-program you're applying for, for example:
Appendix A: Training Sub-Program (Agri-Skills Individual Training)
Appendix B: Group Training, Organizational Development, Benchmarking, Business Planning

Submit the Application

Send the completed application form along with the required appendices to the PEI Department of Agriculture at the given address or via the provided contact details.

Additional information

It is important for grant applicants to know about potential administrative and compliance obligations.

Applicants may be required to demonstrate financial stability through audited financial statements.
There could be specific language requirements for documentation and reports, especially if the grant is federally managed and covers bilingual regions.
Partnership or collaboration with other organizations might be encouraged to enhance project scope and impact.
Applicants may need to outline sustainability measures to ensure project continuity beyond the grant term.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the PEI — Business Development Program Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the PEI — Business Development 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.