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
Up to 50% of the direct training costs; the employer contributes the remaining 50%
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.
SkillsPEI can contribute up to 50% of the direct training costs.
Up to 40 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $20,000 in assistance per approved project (up to two applications per business within a twelve-month period, totaling a maximum of $20,000)
Grant
Description:
Strategic Improvement Assistance supports Prince Edward Island businesses undertaking strategic activities to become more productive, profitable and competitive. The program supports costs for outside professional expertise required for projects related to improving operational efficiencies, internal planning or processes, and quality assurance.
Up to 50% of eligible costs, normally not exceeding a maximum of $5,000, for a registered Prince Edward Island Production Company
Grant
Description:
The Storytelling Development Fund is available for scriptwriting costs required for film, TV and screen-based projects. A registered Prince Edward Island Production Company can receive up to 50% of project costs through the fund.
15 per cent of the actual eligible cost as determined at the time of the request for payment, to a maximum grant of $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 the purchase of eligible capital asset costs.
Up to 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum contribution of $5,000 in the first year of business only (marketing and promotions up to $2,500 plus professional fees up to $2,500), and to a maximum contribution of $2,500 for professional fees support in any other year
Grant
Description:
The Small Business Assistance Program helps small businesses in Prince Edward Island improve productivity and competitiveness. It supports eligible costs related to accessing expert advice for strategic planning and improving operations. New businesses can also get support for marketing and promotional costs in their first year of operations.
Maximum of $7,500 (non-repayable) per operator regardless of number of projects proposed; consulting fees eligible to a maximum of 25% of awarded funding or $1,875; RTA/DMO-led projects up to a maximum of $7,500
Grant
Description:
The 2026/27 Seasonal Extension Tourism Product Development Fund provides assistance to PEI tourism businesses and will be administered through a joint partnership between Tourism PEI (TPEI), Regional Tourism Associations (RTAs) and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), including:
1. Central Coastal Tourism Partnership
2. Discover Charlottetown
3. Explore Summerside
4. Island East Tourism Group
5. North Cape Coastal Tourism Partnership
6. Tourism Cavendish Beach
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.
Up to 80% of eligible expenses (up to 50% of eligible expenses for businesses); the maximum grant amount varies by component
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.
Up to 50% of the eligible costs for a project approved for funding; total grant contribution from all Government of Prince Edward Island sources cannot exceed 50%
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.
Up to 50% of the eligible costs of the approved project; total grant contribution from all Government of Prince Edward Island sources cannot exceed 50%
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.
The Prince Edward Island Broadband Fund (PEIBF) provides a contribution of up to 50% of the eligible costs for a project approved for funding.
Up to 50% of the eligible costs of the approved project (total grant contribution from all Government of Prince Edward Island sources cannot exceed 50%)
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.
Total maximum awarded annually: Create grant $8,000 (Established Professional Artists) / $5,000 (Emerging Professional Artists); Share grant $2,500 (Established) / $2,000 (Emerging); Learn grant $2,500 (Established) / $2,000 (Emerging) / $1,000 (Amateur Artists)
Grant
Description:
The mandate of the PEI Arts Grants is to support, assist and encourage the arts community in the province. Funding is available to professional Prince Edward Island based artists through a peer-assessed grant application process.
Up to 40% of the eligible costs to a maximum of $32,000; up to two applications per business totaling a maximum contribution of $32,000 over 12 months
Grant
Description:
Marketing Assistance helps Prince Edward Island businesses with costs to complete marketing and export plans and activities to accelerate sales and increase their market reach.
No fixed amount
Incubator, In-Kind Support
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 Officer, office and/or laboratory space, and other services to assist local and immigrant entrepreneurs to overcome challenges in PEI.
Up to 50 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $50,000 in assistance per approved project
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.
Grants of up to $750 to help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies
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.
Grants of up to $750 are available to help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies such as wood, fabric, thread, stone, leather hides, sinew, beads, needles, photographic printing, inks, metals, paint, canvas, paper, pencils, etc. This grant is intended for Indigenous artists who are in need of material support only.
Total maximum annual dissemination grant: $2,500 for Established Professional Artists; $2,000 for Emerging Professional Artists
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.
This grant is intended to support opportunities to publicly share and present artistic works in order to increase access, understanding, and appreciation of Prince Edward Island art.
Total maximum annual professional development grant amounts: Established Professional Artists $2,500; Emerging Professional Artists $2,000; Amateur Artists $1,000
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.
Learn grants provide financial assistance for professional development and skill-building activities that advance the artistic work and careers of eligible applicants.
Total maximum annual creation grant amounts: Established Professional Artists $8,000; Emerging Professional Artists $5,000
Grant
Description:
The Indigenous Arts Grants program offers four types of grants to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists in Prince Edward Island: Create, Share, Learn and Visual Arts Materials.
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.
Interest relief of up to $4,000 per year for three years, to a maximum contribution of $12,000 (2% per year with Grade 12 or 1% per year without, on loans up to $200,000), plus up to $1,000 per applicant toward training costs, normally cost-shared 50-50
Subsidy, Grant
Description:
If you are a new entrant in the lobster fishery in Prince Edward Island, you may be eligible for support through the Future Fisher Program. This program offers training and financial assistance to aid new entrant lobster fishers to become better positioned for success in the PEI lobster fishery.
50 per cent of project costs to a maximum contribution of $50,000 per business (maximum $50,000 to one business in a twelve month period)
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.
Up to 60% of pre-determined eligible costs for approved Global Trade Services trade activities; up to 75% of pre-determined eligible costs, to a maximum Innovation PEI contribution of $3,000, for incoming buyers; combined non-repayable government funding cannot exceed 75 per cent of eligible costs
Grant
Description:
Export Trade Assistance provides support to Prince Edward Island exporting businesses to explore new global opportunities. Support may be available to participate in Innovation PEI’s Global Trade Services coordinated trade activities, focused on international and domestic exporting, or to bring 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.
Non-repayable direct rebate to investors of up to 20 percent of the purchase price of the equity investment; maximum investor rebate of $200,000 per approved investee company
Rebate
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.
$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.
Up to 25 per cent of the eligible costs to a maximum of $25,000 assistance (combined non-repayable government funding cannot exceed 75 per cent of eligible costs)
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. The program provides businesses with financial assistance to leverage other traditional and non-traditional financing and reduce risk.
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Maurice
