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There are a plethora of small business grants in Canada. Usually they are specific, but some can be broader, meaning there will be more applicants and competition will be stiff. But even getting to the application process can be challenging. Finding Canadian business grants that your business is eligible for can feel like digging in a haystack. The last thing you want to do is spend hours or days on the internet researching. A lot of grants that small businesses may be eligible for don’t specifically list small businesses, which can be confusing. No matter what stage your business is in, whether it is a newer startup or a well-established business and you’re looking to expand, there is most likely a small business grant for you. 4 steps to apply for small business grants in Canada 1. Build your business plan Even if you’re not applying for a grant, creating a business plan is always a good idea. You’ll need one for any type of funding you’re looking for. A business plan will help set you up for success, no matter what stage your business is at. It gives you a clear overview of your business, including structure, milestones, market research, and financial health and projections. Should you not be eligible yet for a business grant, or if your application is unsuccessful, a business plan will help set your business in a position to be a good candidate in the future. You can also use it to help you build credit, which will look good on any grant application down the road. 2. Know what you’re looking for Not all small businesses are eligible for grants, so spending time preparing a grant application that won’t be successful is time wasted. While there are always exceptions, small business grants in Canada tend to be specific to certain demographics and/or tailored to a very specific need or market. Some regions in Canada offer specialized incentive grants, such as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In Canada, there tend to be umbrella grant categories that include environmental technology, biotechnology, agricultural business, and some arts-based businesses. Retail businesses and franchises tend to not be eligible. Availability of business grants also tends to fluctuate with economic and changing market needs. Keeping up to date with these factors will service you well, not just when you apply for grants, but also in the management of your own business. 3. Search within your industry Identifying your industry and what grants are available will help you narrow your eligibility. There are many grants available that are industry specific. But figuring out what classification your industry falls under can be challenging. The Government of Canada has prepared this guide to help you with that. Becoming familiar with the North American Industry Classification system (NAICS) can streamline your search when researching government assistance. 4. Write a stellar grant application A grant application, or proposal, isn’t a single-day endeavour. Start early. A lot of grant programs open up for applications months before the deadline. Take advantage of that time. Here’s where your business plan is going to come in handy. Many grant applications are similar to business plans. They detail the structure of your business, including financials, marketing strategies and research, branding, and more. Successful grant applicants learn from the successes and failures of their competition. Looking at other grant applications, if possible, and investigating templates can help you visualize your own grant application. And always get another set of eyes on your application. Grant opportunities available in Canada Canadian grants for research and development Businesses undergo a lot of research and development, no matter the industry. Many entrepreneurs who are investing in new technologies, research and development require capital to create or continue to explore new products and services. Here is a list of business grants for research and development available in Canada: Accessible Technology ProgramAgriAssurance: SME Stream - Canadian Agricultural PartnershipAgricultural Clean Technology (ACT) ProgramAgrillnovateCanada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)Canada Media Fund (CMF)Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) - National Research Council (NRC)Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS)Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)MITACS AccelerateMITACS ElevateNSERC AllianceProtein Industries CanadaStrategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Canadian grants for business expansion Expanding a business can be financially taxing, no matter the type of expansion. Maybe you’re looking for more physical space or supplies. Maybe you’re looking to cast a wider market network that requires rebranding. Whatever the expansion, there is small business funding in Canada for you to apply for. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)Canada Agricultural Partnership (CAP)Canadian Digital Media Network (CDMN) Soft Landing ProgramCanada Media Fund: Experimental StreamCanadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)CanExportCreative Export CanadaDairy Processing Investment Fund (DPIF)SD Tech FundStrategic Innovation Fund (SIF)Supply Chains and Logistics Excellence AI (SCALE.AI)Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiate (ZEVAI) Canadian grants to hire and train employees Growing a business means hiring and training employees. If you don’t have an effective system of recruitment, training and maintaining staff, you’re looking at incurring costs. Grants designed for hiring and training employees helps entrepreneurs take those next steps. Canada Job GrantCanada Summer JobsNRC-IRAP Research Grants for Canadian BusinessesYouth Employment Program (IRAP) Canadian capital investment grants Capital investment grants are intended to help small businesses purchase fixed assets, such as real estate or large equipment. These investments can be costly, so grants are a great opportunity, particularly for small businesses. Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (ASPP)Dairy Processing Investment Fund (DPIF)Strategic Innovation Fund There are a lot of small business grants in Canada and sometimes it’s difficult to determine exactly what it is your business needs. If you’re struggling to figure out what you could use grant funds for, it might be time to step back and reassess your business needs. Ready to start your business? Ownr has helped over 30,000+ entrepreneurs hit the ground running quickly – and affordably. If you have questions about how to register or incorporate your business, send us a message via live chat, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm EST, or email us support@ownr.co

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