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Grant consulting for Canadian manufacturers

Investments in equipment, automation, software, training, and energy efficiency can open the door to grants. helloDarwin helps identify the right programs for your industry.
Manufacturing team reviewing an automated production cell
What makes funding in manufacturing complex
Manufacturing businesses often need to combine expenses, sector proof, intake dates, and economic objectives to secure the right funding.
Varied expenses
Equipment, technology, training, hiring, energy efficiency, or expansion can fall under different programs.
Sector-specific proof
Programs need to understand the context in manufacturing, the budget, outcomes, and operational risks.
Timing requirements
Many programs require applications before the purchase, signature, or project start.

Grants in manufacturing

Manufacturing businesses can access programs to modernize operations, develop markets, improve productivity, or reduce costs.

Accepted grant applications for manufacturers

See how we helped companies in your industry fund projects with relevant grants and programs.
Accepted$1M+
2026
Manufacturing

Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) — Capital Investment Projects

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$500K-$1M
2026
Manufacturing

Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF)

Advanced-equipment purchase and facility modifications to reshore production and diversify export markets

Accepted$500K-$1M
2026
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — British Columbia

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$500K-$1M
2026
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Prairie Provinces

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$500K-$1M
2025
Manufacturing

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Business project loans

Purchase of production equipment and employee training to launch a new product line in Eastern Ontario

Accepted$500K-$1M
2025
Manufacturing

FedDev — Funding for southern Ontario

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$1M+
2025
Manufacturing

FedNor — Regional Tariff Response Initiative

Automation equipment and supply-chain reshoring project for a Northern Ontario manufacturer affected by tariffs

Accepted$1M+
2025
Manufacturing

Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$500K-$1M
2025
Manufacturing

Green Industrial Facilities and Manufacturing Program (GIFMP) — Industrial Facility Track

Industrial energy assessment and retrofit plan to reduce natural gas and electricity use

Accepted$1M+
2025
Manufacturing

Powering the future: Solid-state hydrogen storage for military platforms

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$500K-$1M
2025
Manufacturing

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) - Tax Incentive Program

Advanced vehicle engineering and field testing

Accepted$250K-$500K
2026
Manufacturing

Regional Development Program — Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC)

Product development to create a competitive advantage

Accepted$250K-$500K
2025
Manufacturing

Alberta — Value-Added Program

Expansion of food-processing capacity and validation of a new value-added product in Alberta

Accepted$250K-$500K
2025
Manufacturing

REGI — Business Scale-up and Productivity — CED (QC) – Private sector

Acquisition of digital production equipment and process redesign to increase a Quebec manufacturer’s capacity

Accepted$250K-$500K
2025
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Quebec

Automation equipment and a tariff-response plan to diversify customers and strengthen Quebec supply chains

Accepted$100K-$250K
2026
Manufacturing

BDC Financing — Equipment Purchase Loan

Purchase of automated manufacturing equipment to increase production capacity

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Business Growth — Productivity and automation

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Capitale-Productivity

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 2: Support for investment projects promoting productivity and business expansion

Purchase and integration of automated production equipment to expand capacity at a Quebec plant

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

FoodTech Next

Product development to create a competitive advantage

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 2

Robotization of a food-packaging line and integration of production-management software

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program Component 3 — Food quality and safety management

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

MRC Portneuf — Capitale-Nationale Region Fund (FRCN)

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) — Southern Ontario

Automation of a Southern Ontario production line to reduce tariff exposure and reshore supply-chain capacity

Accepted$100K-$250K
2025
Manufacturing

Support for biofood exports - individual projects

Twelve-month export project to develop distributors and adapt packaging for markets outside Quebec

Accepted$100K-$250K
2024
Manufacturing

Innovative Solutions Canada - Vehicle theft prevention

Product development to create a competitive advantage

Accepted$50K-$100K
2026
Manufacturing

Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city

Launch of local production for an innovative manufactured product and preparation for international markets

Accepted$50K-$100K
2026
Manufacturing

PSCE – Component 2

Export diagnostic, foreign-market strategy and hiring of a commercial representative outside Quebec

Accepted$50K-$100K
2026
Manufacturing

Remission of tariffs that apply on certain goods from the U.S.

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$50K-$100K
2025
Manufacturing

CFIN Innovation Booster

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$50K-$100K
2025
Manufacturing

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Financial Assistance

Research and pilot testing of an unproven manufacturing technology before commercialization

Accepted$50K-$100K
2025
Manufacturing

PARESAU – Component 1 : Supporting strategic companies in their search for solutions

Financial and operational assessment plus a feasibility study for a recovery plan at a strategic Quebec manufacturer

Accepted$50K-$100K
2025
Manufacturing

Podium Manufacturier

Organizational diagnostic and expert-supported improvement project for production planning

Accepted$50K-$100K
2025
Manufacturing

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) - Tax Incentive Program

Digital modernization for traceability and automation

Accepted$25K-$50K
2026
Retail trade

Capitale-Commerce

Expansion of an independent retail business through new operational equipment and strategic consulting

Accepted$25K-$50K
2026
Manufacturing

CFIN — Innovation Scouting Fund

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$25K-$50K
2026
Manufacturing

Industrial Energy Efficiency Program

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$25K-$50K
2026
Manufacturing

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) - Tax Incentive Program

Building-system R&D and thermal testing

Accepted$25K-$50K
2025
Manufacturing

Call for projects – Technology showcase

Structured export plan to accelerate growth

Accepted$25K-$50K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 1C: Support for investment projects (implementing a digital plan)

Implementation of an approved digital plan integrating ERP and shop-floor production data

Accepted$25K-$50K
2025
Manufacturing

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) - Tax Incentive Program

Product engineering and performance testing

Accepted$25K-$50K
2025
Manufacturing

Talent Opportunities Program — Student Work Placement Program

Operational modernization with new tools

Accepted$25K-$50K
2025
Manufacturing

Workforce Training Measure (MFOR)

Technical training for production employees on programmable automation and digital quality control

Accepted$25K-$50K
2024
Manufacturing

LTI³ Project

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$25K-$50K
2024
Manufacturing

Rio Tinto Aluminium Valley Fund

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$10K-$25K
2026
Manufacturing

CanExport Innovation

Meetings with pre-identified foreign partners to negotiate an international research and development collaboration

Accepted$10K-$25K
2026
Manufacturing

Circular Initiatives Awards

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$10K-$25K
2026
Manufacturing

Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative

Market development beyond the home province

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Accueillez un stagiaire

Paid work-integrated internship focused on a digital process improvement project

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Digital Transformation Offensive Program (OTN) — Stream 1 – Support

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Digital Transformation Offensive program (OTN) — Stream 2 – Optimization

Digital maturity assessment and implementation of business-intelligence and production-data tools in a Quebec food processor

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 1A: Support for investment projects (feasibility studies)

Technical and economic feasibility study for an automated production-line investment

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

ESSOR – Component 1B: Support for investment projects (digital diagnostics)

Digital diagnosis, priority-project analysis and implementation plan for a manufacturing business

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Extend the employment periods of your staff — Seasonal employment extension component

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 1

External business diagnostic and employee skills-development plan for a Quebec food-processing plant

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur

Digital project to structure growth

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Mitacs Accelerate

Collaborative research internship developing and testing a new manufacturing optimization method

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Tax credit for internal design in Québec

Training and hiring aligned with a business project

Accepted$10K-$25K
2025
Manufacturing

Workforce Training and Employment — Employment Assistance Services

Sector-wide workforce adjustment project providing training and placement support during a production transition

AcceptedUnder $10K
2026
Manufacturing

ECO Canada — Student Work Placement Program

Digital transformation to improve efficiency

AcceptedUnder $10K
2026
Manufacturing

Productivity and Sustainable Innovation Fund – Component 2: Feasibility study - audit towards a 4.0 transition

Accredited Industry 4.0 feasibility audit and automation roadmap for a Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu manufacturer

AcceptedUnder $10K
2025
Manufacturing

ÉCLO Regional Fund – Stream 3

Commercial expansion into new markets

AcceptedUnder $10K
2025
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

ECO Canada — Youth Employment in Natural Resources YNR

Full-time youth placement in natural-resources environmental compliance and energy-efficiency work

AcceptedUnder $10K
2025
Manufacturing

Efficient Solutions Program — Medium and Large Businesses Component

Energy analysis and installation of automated controls to reduce peak electricity demand at an industrial facility

AcceptedUnder $10K
2025
Manufacturing

My Digital Success

Digital workflow redesign and CRM integration to improve a Quebec manufacturer’s production planning

Accepted$48,000
2 months ago
MANUFACTURING SMB

C3I

Funding obtained for the acquisition of a new robotic production line

Accepted$48,000
2 months ago
MANUFACTURING SMB

CDAE

Funding obtained for the acquisition of a new robotic production line

Accepted$48,000
2 months ago
MANUFACTURING SMB

OITC

Funding obtained for the acquisition of a new robotic production line

Frequently asked questions

Need help deciding what applies to your business? Talk to an expert and get a clearer next step.

What types of manufacturing projects may qualify for government funding?

Projects involving automation, production equipment, digital systems, energy efficiency, workforce training, product development, export growth, or plant modernization may qualify. The best fit depends on your location, company profile, timeline, eligible expenses, and expected business outcomes.

Should we apply before ordering equipment or starting the project?

Yes—begin reviewing programs before signing purchase orders, contracts, or other binding commitments. Many programs restrict expenses incurred before an application or approval. Because each program defines its own start-date rules, confirm eligibility before committing project costs.

Which manufacturing project costs may be eligible?

Depending on the program, eligible costs may include machinery, automation equipment, installation, software, engineering or consulting services, employee training, and certain project-related wages. Routine operating expenses and costs incurred too early may be excluded, so every expense should be verified against the applicable program guide.

How much funding can a manufacturing business receive?

There is no standard amount. A program may cover a portion of eligible project costs, provide a fixed contribution, or offer support through a grant, repayable contribution, loan, or tax credit. The available amount depends on the program, project scope, location, and applicant profile.

Can manufacturing grants be combined with tax credits or SR&ED?

Sometimes. Businesses may be able to combine different programs, but stacking limits and disclosure requirements apply. Government assistance can also affect the expenses used to calculate an SR&ED tax credit. A coordinated funding plan helps prevent overlapping claims and shows which program should support each project cost.

What information does helloDarwin need to assess our manufacturing project?

We typically review your project budget, equipment quotes, timeline, current production constraints, and expected improvements in capacity, productivity, employment, energy use, or exports. This information helps us compare relevant programs, identify timing risks, and prioritize the strongest funding opportunities.