Manufacturing Grants in Canada: Current Grants + Tips for Applying

The Workforce Training Measure is designed to support the development of skills for people at risk of losing their job. This program could also help engtrepreneurs maintain the expertise in place in their business. They could get technical or financial assistance to define their training needs, carry out a training project, and evaluate the effectiveness of the training received.

FedNor is committed to supporting Northern Ontario’s economy by encouraging businesses to become more innovative, productive and competitive. Through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, FedNor can help existing Northern Ontario manufacturers upgrade and improve capital equipment used in manufacturing processes, including information and communications technology, to improve their competitiveness and productivity.

FedNor is committed to supporting Northern Ontario’s economy by encouraging businesses to become more innovative, productive and competitive. Through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, FedNor can help existing Northern Ontario manufacturers to better plan, prioritize and implement changes that will result in efficiencies, improved quality, productivity, profitability and overall competitiveness. The result is a stronger and more competitive economy in Northern Ontario.

The Talent Development – Internship Program (TDI) provides support for recent undergraduate or Master’s graduates, to work on industry- driven projects related to the six CIT Critical Technology areas: 5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Robotics, in any one of the four key sector areas: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction, Mining. Companies can tap into world-class talent coming out of Ontario’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions and strengthen their capacity to develop new products, services and processes, while interns receive hands-on industry experience in areas such as software and hardware development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.

The Research and Innovation Organizations Support Program – Support for financing infrastructure in support of private innovation (PSO, component 4b) enables the modernization of infrastructure in support of private innovation.

Strategic Improvement Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses undertaking strategic activities to become more productive, profitable and competitive.

The Support Program for Research and Innovation Organizations – Support for research projects in collaboration with the community (PSO, component 2) aims to:

strengthen the technological innovation capacity of companies and recipient environments through the development and transfer of technology resulting from public research projects;
strengthen the capacity of innovative companies with high growth potential (startups) to commercialize their innovations;
to establish partnerships between university, college, institutional and industrial circles, whether in Quebec, outside Quebec or internationally;
highlight research results and innovations that have commercial potential.

The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in southwestern Ontario make investments to:
1. Grow their businesses
2. Improve productivity
3. Invest in innovation and skills development
4. Pursue new markets
5. Generate broad positive regional economic impact
6. Create new good, sustainable jobs

A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate new investment in small businesses in the targeted sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. Consists of a grant program, whereby new or existing businesses that are expanding will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

As part of the broader Critical Industrial Technologies initiative, the Sector Adoption (SA) Program is a challenge based multi-partner program that drives significant impact and advancement of a whole sector.

The Save on Energy Retrofit program offers businesses in Ontario incentives to upgrade equipment, reduce energy bills, lower their carbon footprint and increase productivity. The incentives are designed to help businesses speed up their payback on energy-efficiency equipment upgrades. The program offers incentives in two streams:
– Custom stream for larger, more complex retrofit projects to capture greater energy savings;
– Prescriptive stream for targeted retrofit projects focusing on commonly used products and technologies.

The Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF), is a research and development (R&D) funding program designed to accelerate commercialization of game-changing technological innovations in the province’s core sectors.

Through SAIF, Innovation Saskatchewan (IS) provides non-repayable grants to projects that address a specific industry challenge

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. It will provide investments in:
1. Capital equipment
2. Technology adoption
3. Skills development

The fund supports projects that:
1. Create jobs and build talent
2. Attract and encourage private sector investment
3. Help companies to adopt technologies that improve their competitiveness
4. Lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
5. Encourage innovation, collaboration, and cluster development

These funds aim to stimulate entrepreneurship at the local level.

Through the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII), we’re delivering $7.1 million in funding to support local innovative housing solutions across British Columbia. The RHII supports the residential homebuilding supply chain and changes the way homes are built in British Columbia by:
a. advancing innovative homebuilding solutions
b. boosting manufacturing efficiency in the homebuilding sector
The RHII in British Columbia is part of a nationwide Government of Canada initiative that will invest $50 million over 2 years and is an important part of Canada’s Housing Plan.

The Next Level program provides funding for Northwestern Ontario businesses with an innovative product or service and looking to expand. The support may be applicable to contracted expertise, services or direct costs in any of the following areas: equipment purchase, expansion to new markets, conference & tradeshows costs ($1,000 max), training & certification costs.

We will invest up to $10,000 into your business as well as provide hands-on support, access to mentors, and potential access to investors. With help from us, you will have your new business launched or your current company vaulted into success.

The Innovation Fund assists businesses to bring a new product, service, or process (“product”) to market by providing financial support for the costs to refine and commercialize an innovative product that has demonstrated potential for export market uptake. The Innovation Fund has two streams: 1. The New Product stream can support the transition from a demonstrated beta/pilot/prototype product to the final stage refinements for scale-up and full commercial development of the product. 2. The Product Diversification stream can support the adaptation of an existing product for a new market segment, where refinement and enhancement changes are required to function in a new geographical area, vertical or industry (to adjust to different requirements, such as regulatory/legal, business environment, industry requirements, culture, etc.).

The City of Fredericton’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Modular and Manufactured Housing Grant program provides grants to facilitate the use of modular or manufactured construction for new rental or home ownership units. It is intended to further reduce the cost of construction for new
housing units and provide an opportunity to further grow the missing middle housing option. Both nonprofit and private sector developers as defined below are eligible for funding under the Program subject to Program guidelines.

The Grow Ontario Market Initiative provides funding to primary producers, processors and industry organizations to find and develop domestic or export market opportunities.

You may use the funding to grow your business through:
1. Marketing analysis and planning
2. New product development
3. Marketing activities

The Future Ready (FR) program provides support for Ontario-based SMEs working in CIT’s four key sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Agri-food and Mining) to upskill/reskill current employees on Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Quantum,
and Robotics) to support the company’s adoption of Critical Technologies and commercialization of new products and services. Under this program eligible SMEs receive support to hire an external third-party consultant to train their employees in the adoption and implementation of these Critical Technologies.

The FSDR program is under the Food Affordability and Innovation Fund (FAI), an up to $20M fund. FAI aims to improve the affordability of food in BC through targeted investments in supply chains, food system innovations and partnerships. Specifically, the Fund will support approaches and collaborations at strategic nodes along the food supply chain to strengthen and streamline logistics, storage and transportation and improve access to affordable food, particularly in remote, rural, and/or indigenous communities. Learn more about FAI.

The Export Trade Assistance provides a grant to active exporters and export ready companies on Prince Edward Island. Support may be available for Innovation PEI’s Global Trade coordinated trade activities, including virtual trade initiatives, focused on international and domestic exporting; and bringing buyers and business partners to Prince Edward Island to strengthen business relationships or close sales.

Accelerate the growth of productivity of Quebec businesses through an innovative technological transition or the acquisition of new technologies
Promote the realization of investment projects in Quebec as part of the establishment or expansion of businesses here or elsewhere

Accelerate the realization of an investment project for your company by allowing the use of studies prior to your investment project, i.e. feasibility studies and a digital diagnosis.

Increase the presence of Quebec companies in global supply chains by supporting them in their more complex internationalization strategies

Reducing the environmental footprint of Quebec businesses, particularly through the adoption of clean technologies

The ENCQOR 5G Demonstration Program supports standalone SME projects and SME collaborations with industry partners and/or public sector organizations such as municipalities, healthcare facilities, public utilities for testing and validation activities using the ENCQOR 5G Innovation Platform as a Service (iPaaS) testbed in order to develop or advance new technologies, products, processes and services.

If you are an immigrant and have no work experience in North America, the Program to Assist with the Integration of Immigrants and Visible Minorities into Employment (PRIIME) could help you. It could give you the opportunity to acquire initial work experience in Quebec in your field of expertise.

Your new employer may receive wage support and a subsidy for additional costs, such as

the salary of an escort;
training costs;
the implementation of specific integration activities.

The Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program supports new construction or major renovation of buildings in targeted employment sectors. The program provides tax increment equivalent grants, whereby the City refunds a portion of the increase in property taxes that results from new development or redevelopments.

The Economic Action Plan Grant supports expansion and growth projects of local businesses and business associations that contribute to the implementation of the Economic Action Plan. This will lead to a more resilient, diverse and equitable local economy.

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to existing businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario. The objective of the program is to provide financial support and services to help growing companies in eastern Ontario make investments to:
1. Grow their businesses
2. Improve productivity
3. Invest in innovation and skills development
4. Pursue new markets
5. Generate broad positive regional economic impact
6. Create new good, sustainable jobs

A project is a distinct undertaking, separate from ongoing operations, that will result in benefits to the organization such as business growth or access to new markets.

In partnership with Dalhousie University, and Landmark Decisions Inc., the Digital Twinning for an Organization (DTO) Adoption Program enables Atlantic Canadian small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers to get the consulting, staff, and education required to adopt DTO simulation modeling.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. The program is aimed at attracting new businesses to the city and the expansion of existing businesses through the development, redevelopment, rehabilitation or adaptive reuse of buildings and properties in the Community Improvement Project Area.

The Development and Commercialization (DC) Program supports the development and commercialization of Ontario made products and services that integrate/adopt Critical Technologies (5G and advanced networks, AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum, cybersecurity) related to four key sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Food, Construction and Mining.

The Mitacs Elevate program is a training program that allows postdoctoral researchers to lead large-scale research projects in companies.

The Mitacs Accelerate program encourages companies to collaborate with post-secondary students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers to solve innovation challenges.

The Business Innovation Internships measure helps meet the strong demand for qualified labour from businesses, with a view to increasing their capacity for innovation.

This program offers technical assistance to employers who are considering implementing collective dismissals. Besides, it provides financial support to help cover the expenses associated with running the committee and carrying out reclassification activities.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched the Global Innovation Clusters to support business-led innovation and large-scale collaboration among industry leaders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and post‑secondary institutions, to develop and scale high-potential technologies in advanced manufacturing, agri‑food, clean technology, digital technology, health, bioscience and clean resources, infrastructure and transportation.
Cluster support programs:
1. Advanced manufacturing (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Next Generation Manufacturing cluster. automation and robotics; machine vision; inspection and sensors; simulations and modelling; additive manufacturing; and advanced materials manufacturing);
2. Digital Health and Geospatial Analytics (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster in the areas of: Artificial intelligence and digital enablement for health – using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve healthcare delivery and connect it to real-world, evidence-based clinical research; and Geospatial Analytics – using digital geospatial technologies to solve compelling challenges in areas such as agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, transportation, and clean energy);
3. Ocean (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in the areas of: bio assets; intelligent ocean assets; coastal resilience; and pollution remediation);
4. Sustainable Protein Production (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Protein Industries Supercluster in the areas of: genetics and genomics; pre‑breeding crop development and plant technologies; microalgal and macroalgal protein; microbial communities; processing and ingredients; food safety, traceability and sustainability);
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Logistics (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s AI- Powered Supply Chains Supercluster (Scale AI) in the areas of: transportation and warehousing; condition of infrastructure and goods; cybersecurity for logistics; and Canadian logistics AI‑powered modelling.

This funding, which aims to foster innovation and business growth, can be awarded at any stage of a business’s development. Projects submitted by SMEs or NPOs are funded for fostering expansion, productivity and growth through innovation. This funding is provided under the REGI program.

Capital Acquisition Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses investing in technology, equipment, and infrastructure needed to grow their business and increase capacity and competitiveness.

The general objective of the Innovation program is to strengthen the innovation capacities of companies, primarily SMEs, at the different stages of their innovation projects.

PacifiCan makes strategic investments in growing companies through its Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program, in both established sectors creating value now and emerging sectors growing quickly. We are working to strengthen British Columbia’s position as a domestic and international leader in these sectors.

Funding for small and medium-sized businesses to scale up and produce innovative goods, services or technologies.

The program intended to provide incentive to encourage existing businesses to make new capital investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying the local economy. The program will also apply to projects that demonstrate a significant investment resulting in the retention and/or expansion of high value industries and jobs. Consists of a grant program, whereby existing businesses will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The Business Investment Program provides term loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in strategic growth sectors as identified by Industry, Energy and Technology. The fund is also available to businesses which have export potential and require assistance to enter or expand in external markets. Funds are provided to complement funding from conventional sources, where a need has been demonstrated, and are also intended to increase the capital base of businesses allowing them to leverage new private-sector investments.

The program intended to provide financial incentive to stimulate new investment in targeted economic sectors for the purposes of expanding and diversifying Windsor’s economy. The program will also apply to projects that demonstrate a major investment resulting in a significant positive impact on the local economy and workforce.

Consists of a grant program, whereby new businesses will be eligible to receive a grant for a percentage of the tax increment generated from the investments made in the development or redevelopment of the building or property in conformity with this Community Improvement Plan (CIP).

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is helping manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns.

The program welcomes applications from all manufacturing sectors. There is a particular focus on helping the forestry sector retrofit and develop new, sustainable value-added business lines that reduce dependency on old growth logging and make innovative use of biomaterials.

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) is helping manufacturing companies modernize, innovate, and grow by providing funding for capital projects in all regions in B.C., particularly in communities affected by economic impacts or downturns.

The program welcomes applications from all manufacturing sectors. There is a particular focus on helping the forestry sector retrofit and develop new, sustainable value-added business lines that reduce dependency on old growth logging and make innovative use of biomaterials.

The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Assessments will assist manufacturers who are seeking innovative solutions to increase their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness.