Grant Programs for Atlantic Canada Businesses and Organizations

1. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Programs

  • Business Development Program (BDP): Provides interest-free repayable assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for activities that support growth and competitiveness.

  • Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF): Supports the development of innovative products and services by funding research and development projects that lead to commercial success.

  • Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI): Aims to create the right conditions to start and grow businesses in Atlantic Canada by supporting business scale-up, technology adoption, and regional innovation ecosystems.

  • Innovative Communities Fund (ICF): Invests in strategic projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's communities, focusing on long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural areas.

2. Provincial Grant Programs

  • Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI): Offers various funding programs to support business growth, export development, and productivity improvement in Nova Scotia.

  • Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB): Provides financial assistance and support services to businesses looking to start, grow, or locate in New Brunswick.

  • Innovation PEI: Offers grants and incentives to support business development, innovation, and export growth in Prince Edward Island.

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Innovation Council (NLIC): Provides funding and support to drive business innovation and growth in Newfoundland and Labrador.

3. Sector-Specific Grants

  • Canada Digital Adoption Program: Grow Your Business Online Grant: Provides micro-grants of up to $2,400 to help small businesses adopt e-commerce solutions.

4. Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs)

  • CBDC Financial Assistance: Offers loans, loan guarantees, and equity financing to existing and aspiring entrepreneurs in rural Atlantic Canada.

5. Canada Job Grant

  • Canada Job Grant Program: Provides funding to employers to train new or existing employees, enhancing their skills and contributing to business growth.