Ontario Funding Directory

Ontario Government Grant, Loan, and Funding Programs Mentor Works Can Write for Your Business.

Ontario government funding programs can support a wide range of strategic projects, including business expansion, research and development, hiring and training, and capital investment. By being proactive and applying for funding prior to the start of projects, companies can access government grants and loans that provide a boost to company investments and greatly improve project outcomes.

Many of these programs are offered by Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor).

The Ontario business grants and loans listed on this page may offer support for your organization’s upcoming projects. To discuss your eligibility for them and receive assistance with the application process, please contact Mentor Works.

Mentor Works team of Canadian government grant & loan application writers have an average success rate of 86% across all government funding programs and provide our clients with an average of 95% time savings. Speak with a member of our team to find out what programs your business may be eligible for by calling us at 1-888-599-3111 or visiting our Get Funding Help page.

Get Funding Help

Use the filtering options below to help sort the available Canadian government funding programs.

Click the + button to preview a program and click the program name to view all info

Funding Activity:

Funding Programs	Region	Funding Activity	Description	Show on Site?	Tags
Accessible Technology Program (ATP)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports the development and testing of assistive technologies Up to $4M per project/year in non-repayable grants	Yes	software, non profit,
Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Designed to transition the Canadian aerospace sector out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into a leader on the global stage Up to $10M per project repayable and non-repayable grants	Yes	cleantech, covid-19, tech
Agri-Tech Innovation Cost-Share Program	Ontario	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports the modernization of agriculture-specific, unique and innovative technologies in the workplace that enhance protection of workers against COVID-19	Yes	food, manufacturing, cleantech, non profit, agri,
AgriAssurance: SME Stream	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	Supports businesses to meet certification standards in the agricultural and agri-food sector Up to 50% to a maximum $50,000 in non-repayable government funding	Yes	food, manufacturing, agri,
Agricultural Clean Technology Program (ACT)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports research, development and adoption of clean technologies through investments and promotion of agri-based bioproducts Access up to 50-75% of costs to a maximum $5M project	Yes	food, manufacturing, agri,
AgriInnovate	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports businesses to commercialize and/or adopt innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes or services Access up to 50% of project expenses to a maximum of $10 million per application	Yes	food, agri,
Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports commercialization of technology and/or productivity improvements of businesses Access up to 50% of costs to a maximum $500,000 per collaboration	Yes	automotive,
APMA: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Fund	Ontario	Hiring & Training	Aims to liaison more young Canadians into the automotive sector by providing participants the opportunity to gain skills training and knowledge through a placement or employment. Up to 800 participants will receive up to $8,000 in training costs	Yes	automotive,
Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN): Talent Development Program	Ontario	Research & Development	Combines Ontario companies with top young minds to stimulate industry-driven R&D projects for Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (C/AV) technologies. Up to $35,000 in grant funding.	Yes	automotive, cleantech,
Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) WinterTech Development Program	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports projects related to the development, validation, testing, demonstration, and prototyping of mobility technologies and services Up to one-third of the eligible project costs up to a maximum of $500,000	Yes	automotive, cleantech,
AV R&D Partnership Fund: Technology Demonstrations	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports the development and demonstration of pre-market technologies the automotive sector Up to 33% of eligible costs to a maximum of $1,000,000 in grant funding	Yes	automotive,
Business Scale-up and Productivity Program (BSP)	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Helps to offset upfront project costs and helps southern Ontario businesses grow more quickly Access repayable funding for up to 35% of project costs to a maximum $10M	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, cleantech,
Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF)	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) is designed to support communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic. CCRF will be delegating up to a maximum of $750,000 - $1 million in government funding to cover up to 75% of total expenses for a project	Yes	municipality, non profit, covid
Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Support for projects that improve the physical condition of arts and heritage collaboration, creation, presentation, and exhibition spaces Up to 50% to $500k-$15M depending on the project type. Up to 75% for rural and underserved communities	Yes	municipality,
Canada Job Grant (CJG)	Canada-wide	Hiring & Training	Designed to reduce the costs of providing third-party skills training to new and existing employees Up to 50-100% of eligible costs covered in most provinces	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, northern ontario, cleantech
Canada Media Fund: Experimental Stream	Canada-wide	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supports developing, producing, and promoting innovative, interactive software development projects including apps and video games Up to $15k-$1.5M per project phase in grants	Yes	software, cleantech,
Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports business growth through business loans with competitive interest rates Up to $1M for business expansion activities	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto,
Canada Summer Jobs	Canada-wide	Hiring & Training	Support for employers providing supervised career-related work experience for youth employees Up to 50% of employee minimum hourly rate; Non-profits can receive grants up to 100% of minimum wage plus Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCs); Amount is capped at a max $300K per employer/province or territory. Maximum 40 hours/week/employee can be included.	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, northern ontario, cleantech
Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	offers a process through which the Government of Canada assumes financial risk, responsibility, and provides compensation for damage or losses to objects and appurtenances in eligible travelling exhibitions. Receive up to $700K in Indemnification Coverage.	Yes	municipality
Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Federal	Canada-wide	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supports Canadian agricultural business expansion and growth Up to 50%-75% of expenses to a max $1M in grants	Yes	food, agri, municipality, non profit, agri,
Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) Ontario	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supports Ontario agricultural business expansion and growth Up to 25% to 50% of eligible expenses to a max $250,000 in grants	Yes	food, northern ontario, agri, municipality, non profit,
Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports projects that help the agricultural industry mitigate emerging issues and capitalize on opportunities Up to 50% to a maximum of $1M in grants	Yes	food, agri,
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	The Canadian Food Innovation Network’s (CFIN) program is designed to support smart product and process development, food ecosystem sustainability, and agile and safe supply chains. Up to 50% of eligible expenses or up to $2M in cost matching funds per application.	Yes	agri, food
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports municipalities demonstrating an innovative solution or approach to environmental issues Up to $175,000 to cover up to 80% of eligible costs for all three study streams	Yes	non profit,
CanExport	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	Supports global expansion projects including participation in trade shows and government-led trade missions Up to 75% to a max $75,000 in grants	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto, northern ontario, cleantech,
Career-Ready with CTMA: Expanding Opportunities	Ontario	Hiring & Training	Administered by the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association and Mentor Works, the hiring grant supports Ontario’s precision metalworking sector with youth hires Funding 30% of wages paid to a max of $3,000 for each placement	Yes	manufacturing, auto, cleantech, non profit,
Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster (COB) Program	Ontario	Business Expansion	Supports Ontario municipalities and organizations by relieving some of the financial stress of hosting large events that meet the ministry’s definition of a Blockbuster Event. Covers up to 20% of eligible large festival costs.	Yes	municipality
Commemorate Canada Program	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	Provides support for initiatives that commemorate and/or celebrate historical figures, places, events, and accomplishments of national significance through funding. Receive up to 100% of costs or up to $10K in grants.	Yes	municipality, covid
Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program	Canada-wide	Hiring & Training	Helps Canadian communities confront discrimination by funding new opportunities, discussions, and research to bring together Canada’s diverse cultures and religions. Up to $1 million in government funding.	Yes	municipality
Creative Export Canada (CEC)	Canada-wide	Business Expansion	Supports commercialization of technology and/or productivity improvements of businesses Access up to 50% of costs to a maximum $500,000 per collaboration	Yes	exporting, food, software, manufacturing, auto,
Customer Demonstration Program	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports technology demonstrations between two or more Ontario-based businesses Up to 50% coverage of eligible expenses to a maximum $50k	Yes	non profit,
Dairy Processing Investment Fund (DPIF)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports dairy processors who invest in areas that improve productivity and competitiveness Up to 50% of costs to a max of $10M for expenditure projects and $250,000 for access to expertise	Yes	food,
Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF)	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports economic development in investing in infrastructure or implementing strategies to advance regional priorities Up to 15-50% of project expenses to a maximum of $500k-$5M in grant or loan funding depending on stream	Yes	forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, municipality, non profit, agri
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Demonstration (EVID) Program	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports demonstrations of next-generation and innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure Up to 50% of eligible project expenses and offers $250k – $3M in funding	Yes	automotive,
ENCQOR 5G SME Technology Development Program (5G SDP)	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports collaborative 5G technology development projects to develop, integrate, test, or validate pre-commercial 5G technologies. Access up to $50k to $500k in Government Funding per application	Yes	software, cleantech,
Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program (FSIIP)	Ontario	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports forest industry businesses to invest in new equipment, facility expansion, process, and product innovation Business Stream: Up to 30% in loans & Collaborations Stream: Up to 75% in grants	Yes	agri, northern ontario,
Greenhouse Technology Network (GTN)	Ontario	Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	The program provides matching government funding towards projects that improve and implement greenhouse technologies to support industry innovation. Up to $100,000 in contribution matching resulting in a maximum budget of $200,000 per project.	Yes	food, agri, cleantech
Green Municipal Fund	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports municipalities demonstrating an innovative solution or approach to environmental issues Up to $175,000 to cover up to 80% of eligible costs for all three study streams	Yes	agri, northern ontario, municipality, non profit,
IESO Conservation Fund	Ontario	Business Expansion	Support new conservation and demand management programs, practices and technologies to reduce Ontario's electricity consumption Up to a maximum of 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $500,000	Yes	agri, municipality, non profit,
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) – National Research Council (NRC)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Designed to accelerate the research and development projects of Canadian innovators Access up to 60-80% of costs to a maximum $10M per application	Yes	software,
Innovation for Defence and Security Program (IDEaS)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports pre-commercial military and defence technologies that have the potential to address current challenges faced by Canada’s Armed Forces Access up to $1.2M for initial R&D. Fully-developed solutions may access up to $20M through a procurement program	Yes
Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Helps startups and small businesses overcome technology development hurdles so that they can produce globally-demanded products and services Up to $150k for proof of concept projects, and up to $1M for prototype development, and may also be awarded a government contract	Yes	media, software, cleantech,
Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Fund	Ontario	Research & Development	Supports Canadian media projects during their concept and production development stages Eligible applicants can receive up to 50% of eligible costs to a maxium of $50,000 for concept and $250,000 for production	Yes	media, software,
Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) Program	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supporting clean technologies in the forest industry during the COVID-19 pandemic Applicants can receive 50% of eligible costs up to $20M for the general stream of the program, $1M for the small business stream, and $500K for the studies project stream	Yes	covid, forest, cleantech,
Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF)	Ontario	Hiring & Training Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption	Supporting economic growth and jobs creation projects. Applicants can receive up to 50-90% of costs for economic growth projects.	Yes	cleantech, non profit, manufacturing
Market Readiness Program (OCI)	Ontario	Business Expansion	Supporting academic spin-off companies with grants to further their early-stage commercialization and support scalable business growth Max funding from $125,000-250,000 in Ontario provincial funding	Yes
Mitacs Accelerate	Canada-wide	Hiring & Training Research & Development	Pairs businesses with Masters, PhD and PDF interns to overcome innovation challenges Matching funds from Mitacs up to $7,500 per 4-6 month internship unit	Yes	cleantech,
Mitacs Elevate	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports industry and academic parterships to solve current issues through innovative means Receive up to $25,000 from Mitacs	Yes	university, college, collaboarative, cleantech, agri,
Museums Assistance Program (MAP)	Canada-wide	Research & Development Business Expansion Hiring & Training	Offers support to workers, collections, skills, and more for museums, heritage institutions, and Indigenous communities. Receive up to 70% of 400K in funding support.	Yes	municipality
NGen Manufacturing Program	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supporting technology development that will help Canadian manufacturers compete globally Grants up to 44.4% of eligible expenses with no limit on project size	Yes	manufacturing, manufacturers, municipality, non profit,
NOHFC INVEST North Program	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supporting economic development initiavitves in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance towards projects that diversify their region Receive up to $5,000,000 per project as either a grant or partially foregivable loan	Yes	research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech,
NOHFC People & Talent Program	Ontario	Hiring & Training	Designed to attract, retain, and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce by creating and sustaining new and existing jobs Receive up to 90% of an Indigenous person's salary of up to $52.5k a year, and up to 90% of other eligible applicants for up to $35k a year	Yes	research, university, manufacturing, media, agri, collaborative, northern ontario, cleantech,
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption	Supporting economic development initiavitves in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance towards projects that diversify their region Receive up to $2,000,000 per project as either a grant or partially foregivable loan	Yes	northern ontario, non profit, agri,
NSERC Alliance	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supporting collaborative R&D projects between Canadian businesses and universities Up to $1,000,000 in grant funding per year	Yes	university, college, collaboarative,
Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP)	Ontario	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports automotive businesses improve operational efficiency and competitiveness through the adoption of lean manufacturing processes and Industry 4.0-related technologies Up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $100,000 in grants	Yes	auto, northern ontario,
Ontario Human Capital Research and Innovation Fund (OHCRIF)	Ontario	Research & Development	Funding research towards ideas and approaches on developing Canada's workforce Covers 100% of eligible expenses to a max of $250,000	Yes
Ontario Manufacturing Training Program (OMTP)	Ontario	Hiring & Training	Supports two types of eligible training activities for southern Ontario manufacturers impacted by COVID-19 Provides non-repayable contributions to a maximum $100,000 towards eligible expenses	Yes	covid-19, northern ontario, training,
Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program (PEFIP)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Helps supply-managed poultry and egg producers adapt to market changes Covers 70-85% of eligible costs in grant funding	Yes	agri, tech, cleantech food
Protein Industries Canada	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supporting collaborative product or process research, technology development, and export market development projects related to expanding Canada’s plant-based protein sector Offsets up to 50% of eligible project expenses with no defined maximum contribution. Remaining project funds must be supported by at least two project partners.	Yes	university, college, collaboarative, health, research, food, agri,
Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)	Ontario	Business Expansion	Supporting businesses in all sectors through the COVID-19 pandemic by providing interest-free loans towards fixed operating costs, with a portion of the loan being Southern Ontario: Up to $40K loan with $25 being forgivable, or $1M interest free loan. Northern Ontario: Up to $40K loan with $25 being forgivable, or $250K interest free loan	Yes	covid, auto, manufacturing, food, forest, media, software, food, northern ontario,
Rural Economic Development Fund (RED)	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supports regional economic development activities in rural southern Ontario communities Up to 30-50% of eligible expenses to a maximum of $150,000-$250,000	Yes	northern ontario, cleantech, agri, municipality, non profit,
SD Tech Fund	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Supports cleantech projects that aim to improve water, soil and air quality to reduce the effects of climate change Access up to 40% of project costs for an average funding contribution of $3,000,000	Yes	agi, software, cleantech,
Skills Catalyst Fund	Ontario	Hiring & Training	Supports Ontario consortiums in the development and implementation of innovative workforce development projects that test new and emerging ideas and approaches to labour market challenges Up to 80% of eligible training expenses to a maximum $500,000	No	northern ontario,
SONAMI	Ontario	Research & Development	Helps manufacturers and innovation-based businesses overcome innovation challenges Access up to 50% of project costs	Yes	manufacturing, auto,
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF)	Ontario	Business Expansion Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports companies investing in new facilities and equipment to advance regional priorities Up to 15-50% of expenses to a maximum of $500k-$5M in grant or loan funding depending on stream	Yes	forest, manufacturing, energy, tech, software, municipality, non profit,
Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption Research & Development	Supports projects that drive sustained productivity and economic benefits Submit a project budget of at least $20M and access up to 50% of eligible costs	Yes	software, cleantech, municipality, non profit,
Supply Chains and Logistics Excellence AI (SCALE.AI)	Canada-wide	Research & Development	Enhances Canada’s existing supply chain practices by boosting economic development through faster adoption and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) Access up to 40% of eligible project costs, with no minimum or maximum investment allocated per project	Yes	software, municipality, non profit,
Tourism Development Fund (TDF)	Ontario	Business Expansion	Helps not-for-profits and municipalities to invest in developing new tourism services, tourism investment attraction, and industry capacity building Access up to 50% of costs. There is no maximum amount for applications	Yes	municipality, non profit,
Tourism Economic Development and Recovery Fund	Ontario	Business Expansion	supports Canadian tourism businesses with funding aimed at recovery projects designed to mitigate the financial tolls of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector. Successful applicants may receive funding matching up to 50% of total cash expenses with no pre-determined limit.	Yes	municipality, covid
Youth Employment Program (IRAP)	Canada-wide	Hiring & Training	Designed to assist funding of hiring young Canadian post-secondary graduates Provides up to $30,000 per graduate (up to two) for a period of 6 to 12 months	Yes	university, college, collaboarative, northern ontario,
Zero-Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative (ZEVAI)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Supports projects that address knowledge gaps among Canadians on ZEV technologies to move forward to ZEV adoption Up to 50% of total project costs, with a maximum contribution amount $300,000 per project	Yes	agi, software, auto, cleantech,
Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVI)	Canada-wide	Capital & Tech Adoption	Designed to increase a network of zero-emission vehicle charging and refuelling stations in more localized areas where Canadians live, work, and play Up to 50% of costs to a maximum of $5M in Canadian government funding	Yes	agi, software, auto, cleantech,

Subscribe to Funding Updates

Get the top Canadian government funding news, delivered weekly to right to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Build a Strategy for Ontario Government Funding

Ontario businesses can access grants and loans through federal government funding, federal funds targeted at businesses in northern Ontario (FedNor) and southern Ontario (FedDev), and Ontario provincial government funding. There are many sources of funding, which makes strategic planning critical to funding success.

Companies should build a government funding strategy that uses funding programs to reduce the cost of strategic projects. One of the best government funding tactics to use is stacking together different types and sources of funding. This can significantly improve the scope and success of projects. Please note that multiple federal or provincial programs cannot be stacked; only one federal and one provincial funding program may be used per project.

Ontario Provincial Government Funding News

Government Funding

Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) for 2021-2022

October 12, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Government Funding

Skills Development Fund: Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Grants

October 7, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Business Strategy

Group Sponsorship Grant (GSG): Up to $3M in Apprenticeship Grants

September 16, 2021

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Government Funding

FedNor Becomes An Independent Agency

September 15, 2021

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Register for a Government Funding Webinar

Canadian government funding programs can support small businesses, large corporations, non-profits and post-secondary research institutions. However, the key to accessing these programs are knowing which ones provide the best fit for your organization and upcoming projects.

Find Canadian Government grants, loans, subsidies, and stimulus packages for:

Hiring and Training
Business Expansion & Exporting
Capital and Technology Adoption
Research & Innovation
Active COVID-19 Funding Programs

Register for an upcoming Canadian government funding event to learn more about how funding works, how to navigate the government funding process, and support services to help develop a successful application.

Mentor Works hosts frequent webinars and live events to help business owners and executives further learn about their funding potential. Register for a session to continue exploring business and export expansion funding.

See All Upcoming Events

October

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm