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START Program
Financial incentives for Nova Scotia employers with a labour need
Last Update: March 16, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
Financing focused on small to medium sized enterprises to help employ ready-to-work Nova Scotians.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The START Program provides employers in Nova Scotia with various funding opportunities when they hire eligible unemployed individuals. This includes wage incentives, training cost coverage, and funding for necessary equipment or other direct costs.
- Wage incentives to offset salary and benefit costs for hiring new employees.
- Funding to cover training costs for new employees.
- Funding to cover equipment or other direct costs associated with new employees.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Employers who are eligible to apply for the START program include small or medium-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and social enterprises located in Nova Scotia. These entities can have headquarters outside the province but must have a physical location within Nova Scotia where employees live and work. Employers must apply before hiring, and they are given preference if they can offer full-time, sustainable employment, particularly in priority sectors like ocean technology, ICT, financial services, clean technology, life sciences, or aerospace and defense.For individuals, eligibility to apply for the START program requires being unemployed, residing in Nova Scotia, and being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or an eligible international graduate.Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the START grant. Small or medium-sized employers, including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and social enterprises, located in Nova Scotia are eligible. Companies headquartered outside Nova Scotia but with a physical presence in the province and employees working there are also eligible.
- Large corporations
- Employers without a physical location in Nova Scotia
- Companies without employees working in the province
Eligible expenses
The START Program in Nova Scotia provides financial support to employers for hiring unemployed Nova Scotians. The eligible activities for this grant are focused on hiring incentives, training expenses, and equipment costs associated with employing local talent.
- Offering full-time, sustainable employment to eligible unemployed Nova Scotians.
- Providing short-term employment that facilitates the development of transferable skills for employees.
- Employing individuals in positions related to priority sectors or industries within Nova Scotia.
- Covering wage incentives to partially offset salary and benefit costs of new employees.
- Receiving funding for training new employees to enhance their skills and integration into the company.
- Securing funding for equipment and other direct costs necessary for the employment of new staff members.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to companies that are located in Nova Scotia, with operations within the province. The focus is to support local employment and skill development to boost the regional economy.
- Nova Scotia, Canada
Additional information
- Employers must apply for the START Program before hiring a new employee to be eligible for funding.
- The program may also offer assistance for jobs that are short-term if they help the employee develop skills or align with priority sectors.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the START Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the START Program. 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.
What is the START Program?
Financing focused on small to medium sized enterprises to help employ ready-to-work Nova Scotians.
Who is eligible for the START Program program?
To be eligible for the START Program program, you must:
The employer must be a small or medium-sized entity, including businesses, not-for-profit organizations, or social enterprises.
The employer must have a physical location in Nova Scotia, with employees who live and work in the province.
Employers need to apply for the START Program before hiring an employee.
What expenses are eligible under START Program?
The START Program provides employers in Nova Scotia with various funding opportunities when they hire eligible unemployed individuals. This includes wage incentives, training cost coverage, and funding for necessary equipment or other direct costs. Wage incentives to offset salary and benefit costs for hiring new employees.
Funding to cover training costs for new employees.
Funding to cover equipment or other direct costs associated with new employees.
Who can I contact for more information about the START Program?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia or by phone at 877-223-0888.
Where is the START Program available?
The START Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the START Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
START Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the START Program?
START Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia, Employment Nova Scotia, Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation (SMCF)