How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 25000% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program?

Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia

What are Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program's eligibility criterias?

The business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME). Tier 1 is for businesses that have not previously been awarded a voucher or are applying with a new project. Tier 2 is for businesses looking to build on work completed through a Tier 1 Voucher.

Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program

Last Update: July 22, 2025

NS, Canada

Productivity and innovation expertise in Nova Scotia

Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $25,000

Timeline

Open Date : May 27, 2024
Closing date : June 21, 2024

Financing Type

Researchers And Facilities

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Government of Nova Scotia
Invest Nova Scotia

Status

Closed

Overview of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program program

Get a voucher of up to $25,000 to access expertise within post-secondary institutions to help your business innovate or improve productivity.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant provides vouchers to support businesses in accessing services from eligible Service Providers, facilitating productivity and innovation. Vouchers are granted based on tiers, each with specific financial limits and conditions.

Tier 1: Vouchers of up to $15,000 for businesses that have not previously received a voucher or are seeking support for a new project.
Tier 2: Vouchers of up to $25,000 for businesses building on work completed through a Tier 1 voucher.
A maximum of two Tier 1 vouchers per company to ensure broader accessibility.

Eligible projects & activities

The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program allows businesses to collaborate with post-secondary institutions and access their expertise. The eligible activities focus on enhancing productivity, developing innovations, and fostering business growth.

Engaging in projects that improve productivity within the business.
Developing new products, services, or processes through research engagement.
Expanding business capabilities by leveraging institutional research and resources.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 23,000

Develop a new telehealth service for remote areas

$ 25,000

Develop a new educational app for children to improve literacy skills

$ 22,000

Create a prototype smart irrigation system for urban gardens

$ 23,000

Develop a new eco-friendly packaging solution for food products

$ 25,000

Enhance productivity in local manufacturing with robotic automation

$ 24,000

Design and prototype a new sustainable construction material

Eligibility criteria of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the company and project status.

The applicant must be a small or medium-sized company looking to access expertise within post-secondary institutions.
The applicant can apply for Tier 1 vouchers if they have not been awarded a voucher previously or are applying with a new project.
The applicant can apply for Tier 2 vouchers to build on work completed through a Tier 1 voucher.
Companies are limited to a maximum of two Tier 1 vouchers to initiate their research initiatives.

Who is eligible?

Small and medium-sized companies in Nova Scotia that wish to access expertise within post-secondary institutions are eligible to apply for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program. These businesses should aim to improve productivity, develop new products, services, or processes, and grow their business. They must also engage with eligible post-secondary institutions listed as Service Providers to apply. Additionally, for Tier 2 vouchers, companies must have previously completed work under a Tier 1 voucher. A company can receive up to two Tier 1 vouchers.

Who is not eligible

Yes, certain types of companies are not eligible for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program.

Franchisees
Games of chance operations and bingo halls
Personal service providers
Real estate developers, agents or brokers
Licenced liquor establishments whose primary business is alcohol sales (excepting production breweries, brew pubs, wineries, and distilleries)
Distributors, agents, or traders, including retailers, except where value-added products or services are part of the deliverables or for the purpose of selling Nova Scotia products/services abroad
Associations
Professional service providers, except where the project represents a unique and/or strategic opportunity with potential economic benefit, incremental sales outside Nova Scotia, and/or job creation
Creative industries companies’ activities which are eligible under the Creative Industries Fund
Tourism operators
Publicly funded organizations
Non-revenue-generating not-for-profit organizations

Eligible expenses

The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program assists small and medium-sized businesses in accessing resources from post-secondary institutions to enhance various aspects of their operations. The eligible activities are centered on boosting productivity, developing new offerings, and facilitating business growth.

Improving business productivity through post-secondary institution expertise.
Developing new products, services, or processes.
Utilizing research resources to support business growth.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically available to companies located within the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Only businesses operating in this region are eligible to apply for the program.

Companies based in the South Shore Region (Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne).
Businesses located in the Western Region (Yarmouth, Digby).
Organizations from the Valley Region (Annapolis, Kings, Hants).
Enterprises in the Northern Region (Cumberland, Colchester).
Businesses in the Northeastern Region (Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough).
Companies in the Cape Breton Region (Cape Breton, Richmond, Inverness, Victoria).
Entities within the Halifax Regional Municipality (Halifax & West, Dartmouth & East).

Eligibility criteria of the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program program

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program. Businesses must demonstrate how the project will help increase productivity and innovation, and voucher decisions will be based on the application demonstrating that the project meets these criteria.

Increased productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness
Development and/or increased innovation of business’ products, services, or processes
Improved capacity to provide products and/or services to markets outside of Nova Scotia

How to apply to the Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program program

Verify Eligibility

Check the program guidelines to confirm your business's eligibility.
Identify whether you are applying for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 voucher.

Select a Service Provider

Review the list of eligible service providers.
Contact the relevant service provider to discuss your project needs.
Ensure the service provider's expertise aligns with your project objectives.

Contact Regional Business Development Advisor

Reach out to the Regional Business Development Advisor responsible for your region if you need additional assistance.
Request your Invest Nova Scotia Customer Number if you do not already have it.

Prepare Application

Draft a comprehensive project proposal outlining your objectives and expected outcomes.
Compile any necessary supporting documents, such as budgets and timelines.

Submit Application

Use the Invest Nova Scotia online form system.
Verify your identity using the two-step verification process.
Enter your Customer Number and associated email address to receive and enter a one-time code.
Complete the online application form and upload all required documents.
Review the application for accuracy and completeness.
Submit the application before 5:00 p.m. ADT on June 21, 2024.

Confirmation of Submission

Receive a confirmation email upon successful submission of your application.
Retain the confirmation email for your records.

Additional information

Additional information about the Productivity & Innovation Voucher Program includes various procedural guidelines and compliance measures.

The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act applies to information collected in connection with the program.
Approved applicants must participate in public announcements or ceremonies relating to the awarding of a voucher and the release of project information to the media and general public.

Contact Government of Nova Scotia

info@investnovascotia.ca

902-424-8670

Apply to this program

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