Artificial Intelligence Grants and Funding in Nova Scotia for 2026
Accelerate AI R&D, hiring, and commercialization with non-dilutive funding. Find provincial and federal programs tailored to Nova Scotia projects.
In Nova Scotia, organizations can access a diverse portfolio of artificial intelligence grants and funding streams covering research, pilot projects, and technology adoption. Programs span federal sources and provincial initiatives that serve Halifax, Cape Breton, Dartmouth, Sydney, and rural communities. This directory outlines opportunities, eligibility, and application steps to help teams plan AI investments with confidence.

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) — Business Scale-up and Productivity — ACOA
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Accelerating to Zero Grant Program
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3)- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing

Regional Defence Investment Initiative in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Public administration

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Building Optimization
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Innovative Communities Fund (ICF)
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- All industries

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Small Business Energy Solutions
Efficiency Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade

CBDC General Business Loan
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- All industries

Business Energy Rebates
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

START Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Youth Climate Action Fund
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3)- From $1,400 to $7,000
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

Atlantic Fisheries Fund – Atlantic innovation, infrastructure or science partnerships funding
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Yarmouth Area Community Fund
The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Reciprocity Health Fund
The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Asia Market Development Program
Invest Nova Scotia- From $5,462 to $24,000
- Up to 20% of project cost
- All industries

Launch Export Atlantic Incubator
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Aboriginal Business Loans — Youth and Womens Loans
Ulnooweg- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Beneficial Management Practices Program
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Invest Nova Scotia — Greenshoots
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 40 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Nova Scotia Seafood Innovation and Technology Adoption Program (NS-ITAP)
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 99,900 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBDC Youth Loan
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- All industries

Operate - Activate
Arts Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — Non Profit
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- All industries

Seafood Accelerator Program — Market Access Food Safety Program
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBDC Immigrant Loan program — Pilot Project
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries
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CBDC Business Atlantic Forum
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Job Creation Partnerships (JCP)
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

Disaster Financial Assistance Program — Non-profits
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

CBDC Young Millionaires Program
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 200 $
- Educational services

Value-adding Equipment Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Employment Incentives Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Connect2
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Public administration

CBDC Kick$tart
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Clean Foundation — Science Horizons Youth Internship
Clean Foundation- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Nova Scotia innovation equity tax credit
Government of Nova Scotia- From $1,000 to $5,000,000
- Up to 45% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Creative Entrepreneurship Program
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Plant Your Roots Program — Commercial Farm Purchases
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

New Brunswick Digital Media Tax Credit
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 30% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Nova Scotia Film and Television Production Incentive Fund
Government of Nova Scotia- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 26% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBDC Business counselling
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Europe Market Development Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Energy Training Program for Students
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities

Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund (FAEEIF)
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Affordable Multifamily Housing Program
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Invest Nova Scotia — Incubation
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia- From $5,000 to $100,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Seafood Expansion and Market Access Program (SeaMArk)
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 99,900 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Organic Certification Rebate Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 750 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
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Student Summer Skills Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries
Nova Scotia’s Community Housing Growth Fund
Community Housing Transformation Centre- No Condition
- All industries

Centre for Women in Business
Centre for Women in Business- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)

Community ACCESS-Ability Program
Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- From $500,000 to $1,125,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Creative Industries Fund in Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

CBDC Youth Entrepreneurship Development Initiative
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Fishing Licence Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Atlantic Canada Travel Trade Market Readiness Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Current Tenders — Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Scotians Global Advisors Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Nova Scotia Co-operative Council- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

CBDC Self Employment Assistance (Atlantic Region)
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Trade Market Intelligence Service
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Invest Nova Scotia — Investment
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 25% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Market Opportunities and Diversification Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

New Small Business Tax Deduction
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Vessel Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBDC Community Development Fund
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 225,000 $
- All industries

CBDC NB Small Business Emergency Working Capital Program
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Innovation Canada — Innovation Advisors in NS
Innovation Canada- No Condition
- All industries

Community Economic Development Fund
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 3,000,000 $
- All industries

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries
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NRC — Marine research station
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Clean Leadership Summer Internships — Nova Scotia
Clean Foundation- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Commercial New Construction
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- All industries

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Agriculture Program
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

NSCAD University
NSCAD University- No Condition
- All industries

Nova Scotia Community College
Nova Scotia Community College- No Condition
- All industries

Impact Your Business — Start-Up Loans
Impact Atlantic- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Unpuzzling: Greening Your Food Manufacturing Operation (Atlantic Companies Only)
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Manufacturing

CBDC Micro-Loan Program
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Apprenticeship START
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

CBDC Innovation Loan
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- All industries

Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Infrastructure
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Local Supplier Food Safety Support Pilot Program
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade

Workplace Education Initiative (WEI)
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

CBDC Business Valuation and Succession Planning
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Nova Scotia digital animation tax credit
Government of Nova Scotia- Up to 67% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Cooperative Education Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- All industries

Nova Scotia digital media tax credit
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Skills Online Nova Scotia
SkillsonlineNS- No Condition
- All industries

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

CBDC Drive
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

Planning New Opportunities Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBDC Self Employment Benefit Program
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Business Navigators - NS
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade

Nova Scotia Farm Loans
Government of Nova Scotia- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting