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Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion - NB - Canada

Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion

Last Update: July 28, 2025
NB, Canada
Financing for New Brunswick business start-ups

Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • No Condition
Timeline
  • Open Date : July 9, 2024
Financing Type
Other Support
Grant and Funding
Expert Advice
Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Grant Providers
  • Government of New Brunswick
  • Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (NB)
Status
Open

Overview of the Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion program

Get financial assistance at a provincially-established rate, as well as other types of support during the initial development phase of your business, including coaching and ongoing technical advice.

Eligible projects & activities

  • Launching a new business to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed individuals.
  • Developing a comprehensive business plan with professional support and guidance.
  • Participating in business coaching and mentorship tailored to individual business needs.
  • Receiving ongoing technical advice during the initial phase of establishing a new business venture.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 130,000

Set up a recycling plant for electronic waste

$ 100,000

Create a mobile health clinic to serve remote communities

$ 60,000

Develop a tech hub to support local startups

$ 45,000

Launch an eco-friendly clothing line with locally sourced materials

$ 60,000

Establish a coding bootcamp to enhance local tech skills

$ 35,000

Establish a community garden to provide affordable fresh produce

Eligibility criteria of the Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion program

  • The applicant must be an unemployed individual seeking to start a new business.
  • Both the applicant and their business proposal must meet provincially established program criteria.
  • The business must not be started before official program approval and the signing of a contract.

Eligible expenses

  • Writing and development costs.
  • Creation of presentation materials.
  • Option fees for underlying rights.
  • Expert scriptwriting services, including head writer services.
  • Preliminary studies and research.
  • Animation services.
  • Travel expenses related to studies or meetings with national or international partner producers.
  • Printing and assembling costs for project materials.
  • Independent legal fees.
  • Producer fees.
  • Company overhead directly related to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

  • New Brunswick
  • Miramichi
  • Kent
  • Péninsule acadienne
  • Caraquet
  • Restigouche
  • Chaleur
  • Campbellton
  • Fredericton
  • Northwest New Brunswick
  • Edmundston
  • Southeast New Brunswick
  • Dieppe
  • Southwest New Brunswick
  • Saint John

Eligibility criteria of the Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion program

  • The applicant’s strengths and needs as analyzed by the Self-Employment Benefit Coordinator.
  • Assessment of whether self-employment is a viable option for the applicant.
  • Evaluation of the business plan by a committee according to provincially established program criteria.

How to apply to the Self-Employment Benefit — Workforce Expansion program

1
Preliminary Assessment
  • Check eligibility criteria specific to the New Brunswick services grant.
  • Gather necessary information about your organization and project scope.
2
Registration
  • Visit the Government of New Brunswick's grant application portal.
  • Create a user account with your organizational details.
3
Application Preparation
  • Complete an application form with organizational information and project details.
  • Develop a detailed project proposal cover key objectives and expected outcomes.
  • Prepare required supporting documents, such as financial statements, project plans, and letters of recommendation.
4
Application Submission
  • Upload completed application form and all supporting documents onto the online portal.
  • Review the submission for accuracy and completeness before sending.
  • Submit the application through the portal by the specified deadline.
5
Acknowledgment
  • Receive an acknowledgment email confirming receipt of your application with a reference number.
  • Save the acknowledgment email for future reference and tracking.

Additional information

  • Coaching support is customized to the unique needs of each participant, including topics such as business plan development, accounting, and marketing.
  • Program services are delivered in collaboration with non-profit, private, and/or public organizations in accordance with the New Brunswick Public Purchasing Act.
  • Applicants must not commence business operations before receiving formal written approval and signing a contract.
  • Official entry into the program is confirmed only upon receipt of a Letter of Offer from the Department.

Contact Government of New Brunswick

PETLworkingNBMiramichi@gnb.ca
Apply to this program

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