Prince Edward Island Business Grants: What’s Available and How to Apply
Looking for non-repayable funding to support your business on Prince Edward Island? This article outlines the business grants available in PEI, who offers them, what they can be used for, and how to qualify.
Whether you’re starting a business, expanding operations, or working in a key sector like food production or tourism, this guide will help you find the right funding to move your business forward.
✅ What is a Business Grant?
A business grant is a non-repayable financial contribution provided by government agencies or non-profit organizations to support specific business goals. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be paid back — but they typically come with clear eligibility criteria, funding limits, and reporting requirements. On Prince Edward Island, business grants often support job creation, rural development, innovation, and sector-specific growth.
✅ Types of Business Grants in Prince Edward Island
Business grants in PEI are categorized based on what they support, who they’re for, or where the business is located. Common types include:
◾ Activity Grants
These grants fund specific business activities such as hiring staff, developing new products, upgrading technology, marketing initiatives, or entering new markets.
◾ Audience Grants
Some grant programs target specific groups, including youth, women, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and newcomers, to promote equitable access to funding and business opportunities.
◾ Industry Grants
PEI supports key sectors like agri-food, aquaculture, biosciences, tourism, clean tech, and manufacturing through targeted grant programs designed to encourage innovation, sustainability, and export readiness.
◾ Regional Grants
Several grant programs are designed to support businesses in rural or underdeveloped areas of the island, helping strengthen local economies and diversify regional job opportunities.
✅ What Can a Business Grant be Used for in PEI?
Business grants in PEI can be used for a wide variety of purposes, depending on the funding program. Common uses include:
- Hiring and training new employees
- Product development and innovation
- Business expansion and exporting
- Market research and promotional campaigns
- Technology adoption and process improvements
- Environmental sustainability projects
Some programs are fully funded, while others require matching contributions from the business.
✅ How to Qualify for a Business Grant in Prince Edward Island
To be eligible for a business grant in PEI, your business generally needs to:
- Be registered and operating in Prince Edward Island
- Meet specific program criteria related to size, sector, or ownership
- Demonstrate that your project aligns with the goals of the grant (e.g. job creation, innovation, rural development)
- Submit a complete application, often including a project budget, business plan, or timeline
Grant programs are often reviewed on a competitive basis, so submitting a strong proposal is important.
✅ Alternatives to Business Grants in PEI
If your business doesn’t qualify for a grant or if you’re looking for additional funding options, PEI offers a number of alternatives:
◾ Subsidies
Wage and training subsidies help reduce the cost of hiring employees, especially students, youth, and individuals from underrepresented groups.
◾ Government Loans
Low-interest or flexible loans are available through Innovation PEI and local CBDCs, often used for capital purchases, expansion, or working capital.
◾ Tax Credits
PEI businesses can access federal tax credits like SR&ED, along with provincial incentives for specific industries such as film production, R&D, and clean technology.
◾ Equity Investment Programs
Startups and scale-ups may seek investment through angel networks, venture capital firms, or innovation programs operating in the Atlantic Canada region.
✅ PEI Business Grants: Current Grants Available
no fixed ammount
Grant
Description:
Workplace Skills Training is a program developed for employers to train new or existing employees to develop their skills and align with needs of the business. The employer determines the type of training and who will participate.
$2,500.00
Grant
Description:
The Web Presence Assistance is a non-repayable contribution provided to Prince Edward Island businesses and local not-for-profits to assist them in establishing a presence on the Internet or to upgrade an existing website to include e-commerce. The purpose of this assistance is to help Island businesses and not-for-profits increase business by creating a website to establish online visibility and reach.
$20,000.00
Grant
Description:
Strategic Improvement Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses undertaking strategic activities to become more productive, profitable and competitive.
$5,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Storytelling Development Fund provides financial assistance to Prince Edward Island producers and/or production companies for scriptwriting costs required for film, TV and screen based projects.
$3,750
Grant
Description:
The Small Business Investment Grant helps Prince Edward Island’s small businesses improve efficiency and innovation by way of a non-repayable financial contribution toward eligible capital asset costs.
$5,000
Grant
Description:
To encourage the creation and viability of small businesses in Prince Edward Island, Small Business Assistance supports activities that increase productivity and competitiveness. The program supports eligible costs related to internal planning and processes. A new business is eligible for support for marketing and promotion activities.
$7,500
Grant
Description:
The goal of the program is to incentivize tourism operators to create and develop inspired ideas and new product offerings that will support tourism across PEI and grow Prince Edward Island as a multi-season tourism destination.
$3,000
Grant
Description:
The Provincial Heritage Incentive Program assists owners of properties that are of historical significance to the province
and are designated as heritage places under the Heritage Places Protection Act. The program’s objective is to ensure that
work is done in a manner that retains important architectural features of designated1
heritage buildings. It also is intended
to encourage investment in heritage properties and aid in their conservation.
no fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Programme d’appui à la francophonie canadienne – PAFC (Canadian Francophonie Support Program) provides funding for projects that aim to:
1. help develop Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada;
2. promote and encourage the use of French in Canada;
3. strengthen the ties between Quebecers and Francophones/Francophiles in Canada;
4. reinforce the sentiment of belonging to an inclusive pan-Canadian Francophonie.
$150,000
Grant
Description:
Funding is available to support approved costs to install broadband infrastructure that will deliver high-speed access in Prince Edward Island. Applications will be accepted from residents, businesses, communities, and internet service providers (ISPs) proposing a broadband project to increase Internet service levels, improve access, and expand consumer choice, specifically in underserved areas of the province. The PEI Broadband Fund is being allocated through the following funding streams:
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund provides financial assistance to local Prince Edward Island internet service providers (ISPs), communities and businesses for the installation of infrastructure for enhanced broadband services. Through this program, partnerships and collaborations are encouraged and support is provided for increased service levels, improved access and consumer choice for connectivity.
no fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund provides financial assistance to local Prince Edward Island internet service providers (ISPs), communities and businesses for the installation of infrastructure for enhanced broadband services. Through this program, partnerships and collaborations are encouraged and support is provided for increased service levels, improved access and consumer choice for connectivity.
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund (PEIBF) provides a contribution of up to 50% of the eligible costs for a project approved for funding. Applications must be submitted prior to the start of a project; any expenses incurred before the submission of an application are ineligible.
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The PEI Arts Grants program offers three types of grants to support the professional artists of Prince Edward Island: Create, Share and Learn grants. Each stream serves a different purpose and requires a different application.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The City of Charlottetown offers small scale grants to community groups and individuals that want to contribute to the overall sustainability of the City. Eligible projects are community driven and create meaningful impact and community awareness for the goals and actions outlined in the City’s Sustainability Plan. Projects must take place in Charlottetown.
$16,000.00
Grant
Description:
The Marketing Assistance helps Prince Edward Island businesses with marketing costs to execute exporting plans and activities. The fund enables businesses to accelerate sales and increase their market reach.
no fixed amount
Grant, Incubator
Description:
LaunchPad PEI is a non-profit incubator managed by Innovation PEI that supports the growth of innovative companies in Prince Edward Island. LaunchPad PEI is a designated incubator for the Start-up Visa Program and engages a network of partners to offer access to a Business Development Office, office and/or laboratory space, and other services to assist local and immigrant entrepreneurs to overcome challenges in PEI.
$50,000
Grant
Description:
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.).
$750
Grant
Description:
The Visual Arts Materials Microgrant assists artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary art forms to create artwork or facilitate workshops.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Share grant is to assist with the presentation of works by professional PEI artists to the public, ideally in a critical and/or curatorial context, including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Learn grant is to support the career growth and professional development of PEI artists’ careers including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the Create grant is to support the research, development, creation and production of artistic projects by professional Prince Edward Island artists including in but not limited to the following disciplines: fine crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
Municipal Grants are available to external agencies and individuals who assist in creating or maintaining healthy, diverse, and inclusive communities for the benefit of Charlottetown residents.
$200,000
Grant, Loan
Description:
The Future Fisher Program program offers training and financial assistance to aid new entrant lobster fishers to become better positioned for success in the PEI lobster fishery.
$50,000
Grant
Description:
Food Product Development Assistance is available to Prince Edward Island businesses to access professional and technical assistance in creating or improving a new food product or process. This assistance can be used to develop and test new and improved products and processes, and other technical development-related activities.
$3,000
Grant
Description:
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.
$32,000
Grant
Description:
The Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund helps Prince Edward Island exporters and export-ready businesses with marketing and trade costs to execute export plans and activities to explore new global export opportunities to diversify and enhance their business.
To support our Island businesses that may face significant challenges resulting from the implementation of tariffs by the USA, Innovation PEI is providing enhanced support for these activities from March 4, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Government of Canada and the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture are redirecting funds into existing programs that support farmers and agri-businesses in finding new markets and foster innovation. The Strategic Industry Growth Initiative (SIGI) is designed to increase the competitiveness, productivity and profitability of the agriculture industry through a coordinated effort to accelerate the development and successful commercialization of food products from Prince Edward Island. This program will primarily focus on projects which will increase the competitiveness, productivity, and profitability of Prince Edward Island’s agriculture and agri-food sector by identifying, creating, or maintaining market and innovation-based opportunities; facilitating value-chain development; and encouraging the formation of strategic relationships. Priority will be given to holistic projects whose outcomes have broad sector and/or industry benefits.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Government of Canada and the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture are redirecting funds into existing programs that support farmers and agri-businesses in finding new markets and foster innovation.
The Product and Market Development Program is designed to expand domestic and international competitiveness by supporting small and medium-sized agricultural producers, agri-businesses and agri-processors to expand their product base or markets through:
Value-added and agri-food processing projects;
Market development activities on PEI; and
Market development activities through intra-jurisdictional projects.
Special consideration will be given to projects which include knowledge adoption, and clean technologies that will upscale innovation. This program will assist the individual needs of small and medium-sized sized enterprises, rather than serve to implement broad strategic initiatives
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Government of Canada and the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture are redirecting funds into existing programs that support farmers and agri-businesses in finding new markets and foster innovation. The Business Development Program will support the agriculture sector by providing funding for training, business planning and implementation, organizational development, benchmarking and risk management activities. The program will facilitate the development of sound business practices and is designed to enhance the capacity of PEI Agricultural producers, small to medium-sized agri-businesses and organizations to better understand and manage their financial performance, respond to change and maximize the use of comprehensive risk management options for their agriculture operations.
$200,000
Grant
Description:
The Equity Investors Incentive provides new and expanding businesses in Prince Edward Island with a tool to encourage and attract private sector investment. The program provides a non-repayable incentive to investors to encourage investment in an approved Prince Edward Island-based investee business by increasing the return-on investment to investors.
$30,000
Grant
Description:
Grants for Performance Venues will provide funding for smaller performance venue projects that will improve audience experiences including but not limited to space planning, research, small building improvements and accessibility upgrades; ticketing system upgrades and to support business planning. Eligible projects outcomes must focus on improved audience experience.
$5,000
Grant, Tax Credit
Description:
The Charlottetown Heritage Incentive Program includes both monetary and nonmonetary incentives for development of individually designated properties and/or properties located in the Heritage Preservation Area. The program is designed to provide financial assistance as well as
recognition for the appropriate development of heritage resources within the City. A grant and awards programs, as well as the elimination of the Heritage permit fee, have all been adopted by City Council to foster the positive restoration and maintenance of our heritage resources.
$25,000
Grant
Description:
Capital Acquisition Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses investing in technology, equipment, and infrastructure needed to grow their business and increase capacity and competitiveness.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the professional development grant is to support the professional development of PEI professional artists’ careers in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$2,500
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the dissemination grant is to assist with the presentation of the works of PEI professional artists to the public, ideally in a critical and/or curatorial context, in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
$8,000
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the creation/production grant is to support the creation of artistic projects by Prince Edward Island professional artists in the following disciplines: crafts; dance; interdisciplinary arts; film and media arts; music; theatre; visual arts; and writing and publishing.
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