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Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified September 22, 2026

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway

Training centre capital planning support
Offered by
Government of Ontario
Official source: ontario.ca
Latest source update
Last Update: September 21, 2026
Latest change: The SDF Capital Stream SEED and GROW Pathway Q&A now includes new Planning Act guidance for qualifying training-centre projects, including approvals that are no longer required and Greenbelt exclusions.
View change
SDF Capital Stream Q&A updated with Planning Act guidance
The SDF Capital Stream SEED and GROW Pathway Q&A now adds a new section on Planning Act changes for qualifying training-centre projects funded in part through an MLITSD Skills Development Fund agreement. The guidance says site plan approvals, re-zoning or minor variance approvals, and parking requirements tied to zoning by-laws are no longer required for these qualifying projects, while building permits, environmental assessments, conservation-authority approvals, and other applicable permits may still apply. The updated guidance also states that the exemption does not apply on Greenbelt lands and notes that there may be some savings in planning application fees. It further clarifies that the Planning Act changes are limited to the covered training-centre projects and do not remove other health, safety, or municipal obligations.
Funding available
$ 200,000
Deadline
Unspecified
Opened November 29, 2024
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Employers in Ontario.

See full eligibility

Overview

The Skills Development Fund Capital Stream SEED Pathway supports eligible Ontario organizations planning capital projects for training centres in skilled trades and other in-demand jobs. It provides up to 70% of Total Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $200,000 per project, for technical planning such as engineering or architectural plans, mechanical and electrical drawings, and construction cost estimates.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop workforce skills
  • Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 200,000 $
  • Up to 70% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Youth (<40)
  • Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • Business Associations
  • Professional Associations
  • Unions
Target groups
  • Indigenous peoples
  • People with disabilities
  • Rural / Remote communities
  • Business owners / entrepreneurs
  • Academia / students
  • Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
  • All structures
Scope
  • Municipal
  • Provincial

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Availability timeline

2025
Periods: 1

Activities funded

  • Technical planning to develop a Capital Project proposal to 40% design status.

Documents Needed

  • Roles and Responsibilities with Organizational Chart
  • Risk Management Plan
  • Documentation demonstrating control over the capital asset over the project term
  • At least one quote for each professional service used, along with a project budget attachment
  • Independent third-party appraisal of the land and/or building, if requesting land and/or building acquisition costs

Official resources

Official page

Skills Development Fund: Capital Stream

Supporting document

SDF Capital Stream

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Employers in Ontario.
  • Minister approved, non-college apprenticeship program Training Delivery Agents.
  • Non-profit organizations, including Indigenous band offices and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders.
  • Professional/industry/employer associations.
  • Trade unions/union-affiliated organizations, municipalities, District Social Services Administration Boards, hospitals and Consolidated Municipal Service Managers.

Who is not eligible

  • District School Boards under the Education Act.
  • Publicly assisted colleges, universities, or Indigenous Institutes in Ontario.
  • Career colleges registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
  • Private universities with consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer degrees under the Post-Secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000.

Eligible expenses

  • Technical planning costs for the development of a capital project proposal.
  • Engineering or architectural plans.
  • Mechanical and electrical drawings.
  • Construction cost estimates.
  • Other related activities and expenses required to reach 40% design completion status.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Development of economic plans or business cases.
  • Equipment purchases.
  • Costs related to the delivery of Skills Development Activities, training or services provided by a Recipient.
  • In-kind contributions such as land or buildings already owned by the applicant.

Selection criteria

  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on program requirements.
  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on assessment criteria.
  • Applications are assessed and prioritized based on the overall demand for program funding.
  • Projects may be prioritized if they deliver a greater degree of intended policy outcomes relative to the funding requested.

How to apply

  • Review the SDF Capital Stream SEED Pathway Guideline to determine whether you and your project are eligible.
  • Primary Applicants must complete and submit the application form and all applicable attachments.
  • An applicant may submit only one application per project for funding consideration through the SDF Capital Stream SEED Pathway; separate applications may be submitted for eligible projects in different locations or serving substantially different communities.
  • All applications must be completed electronically and submitted to TPON; scanned application forms will not be accepted.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure eligibility criteria are met.
  • The Province may contact the Primary Applicant if clarification is required.
  • Once the completed application has been submitted, an automated acknowledgement of receipt and file number will be sent to the organizational contact’s email provided.

Additional information

  • Applications are accepted on a continuous intake basis until funding is fully allocated.
  • SEED applicants can, but are not required to, apply to the GROW Pathway after successful completion of their SEED Architectural/Engineering Planning Project.

Contacts

SDFCapitalProgram@ontario.ca
1-855-216-2090

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway Program

What is the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

The Skills Development Fund Capital Stream SEED Pathway supports eligible Ontario organizations planning capital projects for training centres in skilled trades and other in-demand jobs. It provides up to 70% of Total Eligible Costs, to a maximum of $200,000 per project, for technical planning such as engineering or architectural plans, mechanical and electrical drawings, and construction cost estimates.

How much funding can be received?

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $200,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who is eligible for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program?

To be eligible for the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program, you must: The applicant must be a legal entity authorized to operate or carry on business in Ontario. The project must support the creation or improvement of training space. The project must align with the policy objective, target sector or occupation, and participant groups.

What expenses are eligible under Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

Technical planning to develop a Capital Project proposal to 40% design status.

Who can I contact for more information about the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway?

You can contact Government of Ontario by email at SDFCapitalProgram@ontario.ca or by phone at 1-855-216-2090.

Where is the Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway available?

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — SEED Pathway program is available the province of Ontario.