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Source verified August 4, 2026
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces
Supports Prairie organizations facing tariff disruptions
Latest source updateLast Update: June 24, 2026Latest change: The RTRI applicant guide and expression of interest help guide were updated with new eligibility wording, revised required fields, and expanded document guidance.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 24, 2026
Latest change: The RTRI applicant guide and expression of interest help guide were updated with new eligibility wording, revised required fields, and expanded document guidance.
RTRI guide and EOI instructions updated
The RTRI applicant guide now uses revised eligibility wording, including a new “majority owned or led” definition and tighter commercial eligibility guidance, while still showing the existing program structure for incorporated businesses, not-for-profits, and Indigenous applicants. The expression of interest help guide was also updated with new form fields and instructions, including mailing address, phone/fax, CRA number status, Indigenous majority-owned or led status, and expanded document guidance for incorporation proof, financial statements, and confirmed funding. The overall application flow still points applicants to the full application after EOI review, with the existing 30-day EOI review window, 90 business day funding decision standard, and March 31, 2028 completion date still visible in the program pages.
Funding available
$ 500,000 - $ 5,000,000
Deadline
December 31, 2027
Location
Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces supports incorporated businesses, Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations, and not-for-profit organizations affected by tariffs or trade disruptions to boost productivity, growth, and market diversification. Eligible activities include automation and digitization, market development, and supply chain resilience initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 1-499 employees
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Investing in digitization, automation, or technology to enhance business productivity and competitiveness
- Reshoring production, research and development operations, and recruiting highly qualified personnel and expertise
- Developing and diversifying markets to help businesses find new customers, including business support and guidance services
- Optimizing supply chain logistics and ensuring compliance with standards to gain market access or enhance sales
- Strengthening domestic supply chains and facilitating internal trade to increase business resilience and the reliability of domestic markets
Documents Needed
- Incorporation documents and proof of signing authority
- A business plan or pitch deck describing the organization and the proposed project
- A signed Regional Tariff Response Initiative attestation and supplemental form
- Financial statements for the past 2 years, interim financial statements for the past 6 months, and forecasted income statements and cash flows with rationale and assumptions for 3 to 5 years
- Evidence of all other non-PrairiesCan project funding, plus the completed cost clarification form and completed financial disbursement disclosure form for full applications
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated companies, corporations, and co-operatives
- Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations
- Not-for-profit organizations that support businesses, including post-secondary educational institutions, business accelerators and incubators, angel networks, social enterprises, industry associations or consortia, municipalities, and other levels of government
Eligible expenses
- Labour, wages and benefits, material costs, and management fees
- Capital costs, including the purchase of machinery or equipment
- Consultancy fees for professional, advisory, and technical services
- Advisory expenses such as planning, business information, counselling, coaching, mentoring, networking events, workshops, conference fees, and business training through a business service organization
- Costs related to expanding or maintaining markets
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that move company operations outside of Canada, and basic or applied R&D at technology readiness levels 1 to 6
- Land acquisition and goodwill, amortization or depreciation of assets, and the purchase of assets for more than fair market value
- Salary bonuses, dividend payments, and entertainment or hospitality expenses
- Refinancing of existing debts, lobbying activities, donations, dues, and membership fees
- Business plan preparation, sole sourced consultant fees, and fees related to advocacy work are generally not supported
Eligible geographic areas
- Prairie provinces
Selection criteria
- Expressions of interest with the strongest merit and alignment with program objectives, priority areas, and significant economic benefits may be invited to complete a full application.
- Applications are evaluated on their ability to achieve RTRI objectives.
- Applications are evaluated on economic impact and project viability.
- Relative strengths are assessed in market potential, management capability, financial capacity, economic benefits, and degree of alignment with governmental priorities.
- Applications are also assessed for compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory or permit requirements.
How to apply
- Step 1
- Review eligibility, program information, and the applicant guide.
- Assign a project lead and gather required documents.
- Step 2
- Log in to the PrairiesCan portal.
- Complete and submit the expression of interest form.
- Attach the required documents and confirm authorized sign-off.
- Step 3
- If selected, submit a full application through the online portal.
Processing and Agreement
- Within 30 days of submission, EOIs with the strongest merit and alignment with program objectives, priority areas, and significant economic benefits may be invited to complete a full application and undergo detailed assessment; if you are not contacted, your project will not be considered further.
- Funding decisions are usually made within 90 business days of receiving a complete application, including satisfactory supporting documentation.
- If approved, you will be invited to enter into a contribution agreement with PrairiesCan that must be signed within 30 days of notification and cannot be signed until all funding sources are confirmed.
- Funding for successful projects is provided as periodic reimbursements based on submitted claims for the approved portion of eligible project costs that have been paid.
- Successful applicants must provide periodic progress reports at least twice per year, annual financial statements from project start to the end of the repayment period if applicable, and track and report project activities and deliverables up to the final reporting date.
Additional information
- RTRI is part of the national Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
- Funding under this program is intended to complement financial support from other federal or provincial tariff initiatives, and applicants are encouraged to explore industry specific support where available.
- Applicants are encouraged to consider Canadian materials and content where such materials and content are competitive and available.
- Talk to your accountant and/or the Canada Revenue Agency to understand how RTRI funding could affect your taxes or other current or future funding agreements.
Contacts
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)Helps Northern Ontario SMEs respond to tariff impacts
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) – Atlantic CanadaSupports Atlantic SMEs affected by tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British ColumbiaSupports B.C. businesses facing tariff disruptions
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Northern CanadaSupports Canadian businesses facing trade disruptions
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — QuebecSupport for Quebec manufacturing SMEs impacted by international tariffs
- Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern OntarioSupports southern Ontario businesses impacted by international trade disruptions
Frequently Asked Questions about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces Program
What is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces?
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) in the Prairie provinces supports incorporated businesses, Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations, and not-for-profit organizations affected by tariffs or trade disruptions to boost productivity, growth, and market diversification. Eligible activities include automation and digitization, market development, and supply chain resilience initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces program?
To be eligible for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces program, you must:
Applicant must be an incorporated company, corporation, co-operative, Indigenous-owned business or organization, or a not-for-profit organization that supports businesses
Incorporated businesses must be viable before March 21, 2025, operate in the Prairies, and employ 1 to 499 full-time employees
Applicants must show at least 25% of sales in impacted markets or direct effects from tariffs or trade disruptions
What expenses are eligible under Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces?
Investing in digitization, automation, or technology to enhance business productivity and competitiveness
Reshoring production, research and development operations, and recruiting highly qualified personnel and expertise
Developing and diversifying markets to help businesses find new customers, including business support and guidance services
Optimizing supply chain logistics and ensuring compliance with standards to gain market access or enhance sales
Strengthening domestic supply chains and facilitating internal trade to increase business resilience and the reliability of domestic markets
Who can I contact for more information about the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces?
You can contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) or by phone at 1-888-338-9378.
Where is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces available?
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces program is available the province of Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Is the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces is a Grant and Funding