Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety

Q: How much funding can be received?

Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: 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

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety?

Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety is funded by Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation

Q: 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)

Q: 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.

Last Update: July 25, 2025

NS, Canada

Supports Nova Scotia seafood companies in quality and food safety projects

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety provides Nova Scotia seafood companies with up to $15,000 per year, covering 50% of project costs, to support initiatives in product development, quality, and food safety. Eligible activities include developing and implementing food safety programs, conducting gap assessments, achieving regulatory compliance, and enhancing quality management systems.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Maximum financial assistance is $15,000 per fiscal year per applicant.
A 20% down payment by the applicant is required prior to work being scheduled.

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 39,000

Launching a bilingual e-commerce platform for artisanal baked goods

$ 130,000

Acquiring specialized recycling equipment to process industrial plastics

$ 65,000

Implementing energy-efficient lighting and insulation upgrades in offices

$ 85,000

Renovating a shared commercial kitchen for local food producers

$ 45,000

Upgrading a digital learning platform for adult literacy programs

$ 50,000

Developing a job-readiness training program for newcomer youth

Eligibility

The applicant must be registered with Nova Scotia Joint Stocks.
The applicant must hold at least one valid Nova Scotia seafood-related license or permit, or process the product in a Nova Scotia-based facility.
If applicable, the applicant must be in good standing with the Provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
For quality and food safety projects related to market access, the company must have a designated quality and food safety manager in place.

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

Review guidelines and obtain form

Access and review the Seafood Accelerator Program Guidelines online
Ensure your project aligns with program objectives and funding streams
Obtain the appropriate application form for your project stream

Prepare application package

Complete the required application form in full
Gather all supporting documents as indicated in the guidelines
Ensure information on eligibility is complete and accurate

Submit your application

Submit the completed application form and documents online or by email to seafood@perennia.ca
Ensure submission before the July 30, 2026 deadline
Contact program representatives at the provided phone or email if assistance is needed

Application review process

Your application is reviewed by the Seafood Accelerator Program Review Committee
You may be contacted for clarification or additional information
All recommendations are subject to due diligence checks for good standing with the provincial government

Receive approval and next steps

If approved, receive a formal approval letter via email
You will be contacted by a designated specialist to discuss your project in detail
A quote will be created and a 20% down-payment will be required before project scheduling

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

seafood@perennia.ca

902-955-0248

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Seafood Accelerator Program – Quality and Food Safety. 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.