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Source verified July 10, 2026
Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety
Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies with market-focused projects
Latest source updateLast Update: May 19, 2026Latest change: The program timeline was extended to March 31, 2029, and the application form now includes a Company/Business Name field.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 19, 2026
Latest change: The program timeline was extended to March 31, 2029, and the application form now includes a Company/Business Name field.
Seafood Accelerator timeline updated
The Seafood Accelerator Program guidelines now show the program running until March 31, 2029 instead of the earlier July 30, 2026 end date. Intake remains ongoing until funds are fully subscribed, and the funding terms, eligibility, and contact details are otherwise unchanged. The Quality and Food Safety application form also adds a Company/Business Name field. No other submission steps or required documents appear to have changed.
Funding available
$ 15,000
Deadline
July 30, 2026
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The Seafood Accelerator Program – Perennia supports Nova Scotia-based seafood companies with up to $15,000 per fiscal year, covering 50% of eligible project costs, to help them adapt to changing market demands. Eligible work includes new value-added products, customer-focused product improvements, and developing or implementing comprehensive food safety programs to comply with regulatory requirements and access new markets.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Optimize production processes
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Development and implementation of comprehensive food safety programs to meet regulatory and market requirements.
- Preparation for obtaining certification such as Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards.
- Training personnel to improve knowledge and practices in quality and food safety management.
- Assessment and improvement of current food safety and quality systems to maintain or expand market access.
- Development of new value-added seafood products, including support for packaging, process development, regulatory compliance, and food labeling.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- Business registration details
- Relevant licence information
- Project contact details
- Quality and food safety details, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Nova Scotia-based seafood companies
- Businesses registered with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks
- Licensed fish buyers, processors, aquaculture operators, and seafood harvesters in Nova Scotia
- Companies processing seafood products in Nova Scotia-based facilities
Who is not eligible
- Companies not registered with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks.
- Businesses that do not hold a relevant Nova Scotia or Fisheries and Oceans Canada license and do not process products in a Nova Scotia-based facility.
- Organizations not based in Nova Scotia.
- Companies not in good standing with the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (if applicable).
Eligible expenses
- Gap assessments for compliance with specific food safety program requirements.
- Program coaching for quality and food safety program managers or quality assurance staff on plan development, revisions, and implementation.
- Pre-audit assessments in preparation for third-party food safety program audits.
- Training for personnel performing tasks that impact quality and food safety.
- Internal audits of quality and food safety management systems.
- Consultation services related to meeting requirements and overcoming challenges in quality and food safety management systems.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
How to apply
- Step 1: Access Application Materials
- Download the relevant application form for either the Product Development Stream or the Quality & Food Safety Stream from the Seafood Accelerator – Perennia website.
- Step 2: Complete the Application Form
- Fill out all sections of the application form, ensuring that all required information is provided to allow program administrators to verify eligibility and project details.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form either online via the Perennia website or directly by email to seafood@perennia.ca before the deadline.
- Step 4: Application Review
- The application is reviewed by the Seafood Accelerator Program Review Committee, which may request additional clarification if needed.
- The Committee makes a recommendation to accept, deny, or request revisions to the application.
- Step 5: Notification and Follow-Up
- If approved, receive an emailed letter of approval and be contacted by a designated specialist to discuss your project and develop a quote.
- Pay a 20% down payment prior to the scheduling of work.
- For some Quality and Food Safety projects, undergo a mandatory Gap Assessment before program development and implementation begin.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a committee after submission.
- You may be contacted if the application is incomplete or clarification is needed.
- If approved, you will receive an approval email and a quote.
- Work is scheduled only after the quote is approved and signed, and the 20% upfront payment is made.
- A Gap Assessment may be required before some projects begin.
Additional information
- A 20% down-payment is required from the applicant before project work is scheduled.
- Intake is ongoing until funds are fully subscribed or until the program end date.
- A Gap Assessment may be mandatory prior to commencing some Quality and Food Safety projects.
- Recommendations for acceptance by the review committee are subject to due diligence checks for good standing with the provincial government.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety Program
What is the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety?
The Seafood Accelerator Program – Perennia supports Nova Scotia-based seafood companies with up to $15,000 per fiscal year, covering 50% of eligible project costs, to help them adapt to changing market demands. Eligible work includes new value-added products, customer-focused product improvements, and developing or implementing comprehensive food safety programs to comply with regulatory requirements and access new markets.
How much funding can be received?
Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety program?
To be eligible for the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety program, you must:
Must be registered with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks
Must hold a valid Nova Scotia seafood-related license or process in a Nova Scotia-based facility
Must be in good standing with the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (if applicable)
What expenses are eligible under Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety?
Development and implementation of comprehensive food safety programs to meet regulatory and market requirements.
Preparation for obtaining certification such as Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards.
Training personnel to improve knowledge and practices in quality and food safety management.
Assessment and improvement of current food safety and quality systems to maintain or expand market access.
Development of new value-added seafood products, including support for packaging, process development, regulatory compliance, and food labeling.
Who can I contact for more information about the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety?
You can contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation by email at seafood@perennia.ca or by phone at 902-955-0248.
Where is the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety available?
The Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety is a Grant and Funding