Financial Incentives

A choice of financial support programs
The following government programs and financial incentives can help offset hiring, job training, business development and research costs.

Click on a sector below to see information about related incentives:

Advanced Manufacturing
Clean Technology
Health & Medicine
Information & Communications Technology
Professional & Technical Services
Click on a category below to see information about related incentives:

Automotive
Digital Media
Energy
Export & International
Hiring & Training
Research & Development
Start-up & Commercialization
Incentives by Economic Sector

Advanced Manufacturing Incentives (Return to Top)
Export & International (view all)
CME Smart Program
CME Smart Green Program
Export Market Access – A Global Expansion Program
Hiring & Training (view all)
Apprenticeship Employer Signing Bonus (AESB)
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (Canada)
Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit (Ontario)
Co-Operative Education Tax Credit (CETC)
Research & Development (view all)
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
CME Smart Program
CME Smart Green Program
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
MITACS Accelerate
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit (ORDTC)
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Equipment Financing Lines
Clean Technology Incentives (Return to Top)
Energy (view all)
Conservation Fund
Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) – Ontario Power Authority
Export & International (view all)
Export Market Access – A Global Expansion Program
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Hiring & Training (view all)
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
MITACS Accelerate
Research & Development (view all)
Going Global Innovation
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
International Research Program: China, India, Israel
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit (ORDTC)
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Start-up & Commercialization (view all)
Futurpreneur Canada
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Health & Medicine Incentives (Return to Top)
Energy (view all)
Conservation Fund
Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT) – Ontario Power Authority
Hiring & Training (view all)
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
MITACS Accelerate
Research & Development (view all)
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Going Global Innovation
International Research Program: China, India, Israel
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit (ORDTC)
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Start-up & Commercialization (view all)
Futurpreneur Canada
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Information & Communications Technology Incentives (Return to Top)
Digital Media (view all)
Ontario Computer Animation & Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE)
Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
Export & International (view all)
Going Global Innovation
International Research Program: China, India, Israel
Hiring & Training (view all)
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
MITACS Accelerate
Research & Development (view all)
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit (ORDTC)
Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED)
Start-up & Commercialization (view all)
Futurpreneur Canada
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE)
Ontario’s Youth Business Acceleration Program
Professional & Technical Services Incentives (Return to Top)
Hiring & Training (view all)
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
MITACS Accelerate
Research & Development (view all)
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Incentives by Category

Automotive Incentives (Return to Top)
Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP)
$100 Million from 2015 to 2020 to help R&D projects to become commercially viable by supporting product development and technology demonstration on a cost-shared basis with participating firms.
Related Categories: Automotive, Start-up & Commercialization, Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF)
$750 million from 2013 to 2018 for automotive firms in support of strategic, large-scale research and development projects to build innovative, greener and more fuel efficient vehicles.
Related Categories: Automotive, Start-up & Commercialization, Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Automotive Supplier Competitiveness Program (ASCP)
A $5-million, two-year program to help smaller auto parts companies adopt the latest technologies and close technological gaps. This will help companies increase their productivity, adapt quickly to market changes and take advantage of new opportunities with larger manufacturers.
Related Categories: Automotive, Start-up & Commercialization, Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium
Centre to support R&D and commercialization of technologies — such as lightweighting and autonomous software — in partnership with the federal and Quebec governments.
Related Categories: Automotive, Start-up & Commercialization, Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Equipment Financing Lines

Business Development Bank of Canada provides financing to cover the cost of new or used equipment and related expenses to modernize operations and replace out-of-date machinery.
Related Categories: Automotive, Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)

Digital Media Incentives (Return to Top)
Ontario Computer Animation & Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE)
A refundable tax credit for 20% of Ontario labour expenses available to corporations that perform computer animation and special effects activities.
Related Categories: Digital Media; Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit
A refundable tax credit for 35%-40% of the eligible Ontario labour expenditures incurred by a qualifying production company with respect to an eligible Ontario production.
Related Categories: Digital Media; Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
A refundable tax credit for 35% to 40% of eligible Ontario labour expenditures for the creation of interactive digital media products.
Related Categories: Digital Media; Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Production Services Tax Credit
A refundable tax credit for 21.5% of production expenditures in Ontario for an eligible film or television production.
Related Categories: Digital Media; Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Energy Incentives (Return to Top)
Conservation Fund
Funding for projects to develop or pilot innovative conservation programs, practices and technologies
Related Categories: Energy
Related Sectors: Clean Technology Health & Medicine
Feed-in Tariff Program (FIT)
Competitively awarded contracts for guaranteed pricing of energy generated from renewable sources, including: biomass, biogas, landfill gas, on-shore wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and waterpower.
Related Categories: Energy
Related Sectors: Clean Technology Health & Medicine
SaveonEnergy
Funding to support retrofits, energy audits, and energy management by offsetting up to 70% of costs.
Related Categories: Energy
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Related Incentives in Other Categories
Investing in Business Innovation (IBI)
Export & International Incentives (Return to Top)
Canada Small Business Financing Program
Improves access to up to $1M in loan capital for small businesses by sharing the risk with lenders. Over $9B in loans made over the past 10 years.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Canada’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
Allows Canadian exporters to import goods to Canada duty and tax free anywhere in Canada through multiple programs:
– Duties Relief Program: Upfront relief of duties; Goods must be exported within four years.
– Drawback Program: Refunds duties for exported goods; Goods must have been exported within four years.
– Customs Bonded Warehouse: Defers/relieves duties and taxes; Goods must not be substantially altered.
– Export Distribution Centre Program: Upfront relief of GST/HST on certain imports and domestic purchases; Must be export-oriented commercial entity that adds only limited value to goods.
– The Exporters of Processing Services Program: Upfront relief of GST/HST on certain imports; Goods must belong to non-resident and be re-exported after being processed.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
CanExport
Up to $50 million in direct financial support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to develop new export opportunities and markets, particularly in high growth priority markets and sectors.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Export Development Canada (EDC)
EDC works with Canadian companies and their banks to help reduce the financial risks associated with selling goods or services outside of Canada. Programs include:
– Working Capital Financing
– Buyer Financing
– Direct Lending
– Structured and Project Finance
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Global Growth Fund: Early Stage Exporters
Created to assist Ontario small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and grow their export markets, obtain new sources of capitalization/funding, and increase export sales of Ontario goods and services.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Global Growth Fund: Export Market Access
Funds up to 50% of eligible costs incurred to develop export sales, including market research, marketing tools, direct contacts and foreign bidding projects.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
Investing in Business Growth and Productivity (IBGP)
Up to 25% of eligible costs for SMEs and 100% for not-for-profit organizations to expand their markets and facilities, adopt new technologies and processes to improve productivity, and increase business capacity to participate in global markets and integrate into global value chains.
Related Categories: Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Invests up to $500,000 in early-stage companies that have the potential to be global leaders in their field and provide sustainable economic benefits to Ontario. Focus on IT, Health, and Cleantech.
Related Categories: Export & International Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: Health & Medicine Information & Communications Technology Clean Technology
CME Smart Program
Up to $100,000 for Ontario manufacturers to adopting new technologies that have the potential to improve productivity and increase competitiveness in the global economy.
Related Categories: Export & International Research & Development
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
CME Smart Green Program
Up to $100,000 for small- and medium-sized Ontario manufacturers to support investments in technology and process improvements which result in GHG emissions intensity reductions.
Related Categories: Export & International Research & Development
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
International Research Program: China, India, Israel
Ontario tech companies, universities, and research organizations can apply for funding for research projects with partners in China, India, and Israel
Ontario-China Research and Innovation Fund Up to $250,000 per project.
Ontario-Jiangsu partnership: up to $150,000 per project.
Ontario-India Research Collaboration Fund: up to 50% of total costs (maximum of $300,000).
Ontario-Israel Collaboration Program: up to 50% of total costs (maximum of $300,000).
Related Categories: Export & International Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Related Incentives in Other Categories
New Exporters to Border States Program (NEBS)
Global Growth Fund: Ontario Exporters Fund
Xpansion Loan
Going Global Innovation
Investing in Business Innovation (IBI)
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Hiring & Training Incentives (Return to Top)
Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG)
Grant of up to $2,000 for registered apprentices who have obtained their journeyperson certification in a designated Red Seal trade.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Apprenticeship Employer Signing Bonus (AESB)
A $2,000 bonus available to employers who hire, register, and train an apprentice as part of their participation in the Employment Service program.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG)
Grant of up to $2,000 per person for registered apprentices who have finished their first or second year/level of a program in one of the Red Seal trades.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC)
A tax credit equal to 10% of wages (max. $2,000) paid to eligible apprentices.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
Apprenticeship Training Tax Credit
Tax credit for 25% to 30% of eligible expenditures during the first 36 months of an employer’s apprenticeship program.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
Canada-Ontario Job Grant
Funding for up to two-thirds of training expenses (up to $10,000) for employers to purchase training for their employees.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Cooperative Education Tax Credit (CETC)
A refundable tax credit for 25% to 30% of eligible expenses (max. $3,000) available to employers who hire students enrolled in a co-operative education program at an Ontario university or college.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: Advanced Manufacturing
Summer Company
Helps young people between 15 and 29 years old start and run their own summer business by providing funding (up to $3,000), advice and services.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
New Exporters to Border States Program (NEBS)
Training to give Ontario manufacturers, distributors, agents and other business professionals the tools they need to expand their business across the Canada – U.S. border.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Global Growth Fund: Ontario Exporters Fund
Covers 50% of eligible costs (up to $80,000) associated with hiring an experienced Export Manager to assist SMEs to gain/increase access to international export markets.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Xpansion Loan
Up to $250,000 long-term loan for a wide range of projects, including business expansion, hiring, marketing, and research and development.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Export & International Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Experience Awards
The research internships minimize the cost for companies to hire undergraduate and allow them to consider the student for potential longer term employment after graduation.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Youth Employment Program (YEP)
Up to $30,000 towards the salary of a post-secondary graduate for 6 to 12 months, to help research, develop and commercialize new technologies.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Youth Employment Program – Green (Youth-Green)
Shared investment in the salary of a intern for 3 to 6 months for green economy sectors or industries, to produce an environmental benefit.
Related Categories: Hiring & Training; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Related Incentives in Other Categories
Ontario Computer Animation & Special Effects Tax Credit (OCASE)
Ontario Film & Television Tax Credit
Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
Ontario Production Services Tax Credit
Financing and Mentoring
Research & Development Incentives (Return to Top)
Agri-Innovations Program-Industry-led Research and Development Stream
Investments targeted at research and development activities that bring innovation to the agri-food sector (max. $5M, 50% of costs), and industry adoption/ commercialization of the research (max. $2M).
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
AIME (Achieving Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence) Global initiative
Up to $50,000 to offset the costs of training expenses related to supporting innovation and achieving a competitive advantage.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Several funds available to institutions to support innovative research on local, regional, and national scales.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
College and Community Innovation Program
Enables Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies. Several funds include:
– Engage Grants
– Applied Research and Development Grants
– Innovation Enhancement Grants
– Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
Ontario’s Province-wide network of 24 colleges, aimed at helping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) solve their technical problems, adapting new technologies for the marketplace, and developing new or improved products and processes.
Related Categories: Research & Development; Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Going Global Innovation
Supports Canadian small and medium sized companies and researchers in pursuing international R&D collaborative opportunities through the development of partnerships with key players in other countries/economies. Going Global contributes up to 75% of the eligible expenses to a maximum of $75,000.
Related Categories: Export & International; Research & Development
Related Sectors: Clean Technology; Health & Medicine; Information & Communications Technology
MITACS Accelerate
Solve your research challenges with university expertise, matching funds ($7,500), and one-to-one support from Mitacs. Internships start at four months and can scale up as much as you need.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Business Research Institute Tax Credit
A 20% refundable tax credit for qualified expenditures on scientific research and experimental development work performed in Ontario with eligible research institutes.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Innovation Tax Credit (OITC)
A refundable tax credit that is available to all Ontario corporations that perform scientific research and experimental development (SR&ED). The OITC is calculated as 8% of qualifying SR&ED expenses. Qualifying expenses are 100% of current expenses and 40% of capital expenses, with a maximum annual credit of $240,000.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Research and Development Tax Credit
Qualifying corporations can claim a 4.5 per cent non-refundable tax credit on eligible scientific research and experimental development expenditures.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Incentive Program (SR&ED)
An investment tax credit (ITC) of 20% to 35% of qualified expenditures for SR&ED carried out in Canada that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Small Business Innovation Challenge
Will provide small- and medium-sized businesses with opportunities to develop and implement innovative technology solutions to public sector challenges. Through real-world testing of products and solutions, companies will be better positioned to market their new ideas to the world and help foster long-term economic growth.
Related Categories: Research & Development Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Space Technology Development Program (STDP)
Financial and technical support for Canadian organizations (Industry, Academia, and Not-For-Profit) to perform R&D related to Mission Enabling and Generic Space Technologies.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI)
SADI provides repayable contributions to support research and development (R&D) projects in the aerospace, space, defence and security (A&D) sectors.
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)
Different funds to support innovative, Canadian cleantech projects through development and demonstration:
– SD Tech Fund ($915M)
– SD Natural Gas Fund
– SDTC/CCEMC Fund
– SDTC/AI-EES
– NextGen Biofuels Fund
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Technology Demonstration Program (TDP)
Funding in support of large-scale technology demonstration projects in the aerospace, defense, space and security sectors
Related Categories: Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)

Related Incentives in Other Categories
Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF)
Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP)
Automotive Supplier Competitiveness Program (ASCP)
Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP)
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium
CME Smart Program
CME Smart Green Program
Experience Awards
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
International Research Program: China, India, Israel
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
Scale-Up Voucher Program
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment and Innovation (SOFII)
Xpansion Loan
Youth Employment Program (YEP)
Youth Employment Program – Green (Youth-Green)
Start-up & Commercialization Incentives (Return to Top)
Agri-Innovations Program-Enabling Commercialization and Adoption Stream
Facilitate the pre-commercial demonstration, commercialization and adoption of innovative agri-based products & technologies
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Digital Accelerator For Innovation And Research (DAIR)
Provides Canadian entrepreneurs and small businesses with free cloud-based compute and storage resources that help speed time to market by enabling rapid and scalable product design, prototyping, validation and demonstration.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Equipment Line
Finances the cost of new or used equipment so you can expand and modernize.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Futurpreneur Canada
Provides coaching, online resources, financing, and mentoring for business owners aged 18-39.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE)
Funding and networking services for Ontario entrepreneurs.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario’s Youth Business Acceleration Program
If you’re between 18-29 years old, you can get mentorship and advice to help you start and grow a technology company. You may also be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding or up to $15,000 to hire a young business professional.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Small Business Loan
Up to $100,000 to buy new equipment, software, hardware, apply for a patent, or attend a tradeshow.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Start-Up Loan
Loans for new businesses to invest in capital, assets, marketing, or consulting.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Investing in Business Innovation (IBI)
Provides mentorship, entrepreneurial support and financing to help new businesses grow and succeed.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Energy; Export & International
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)
Fosters and supports collaborative industrial research and development projects with high potential for commercialization between Canada and partner countries.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Export & International; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Financing and Mentoring
Up to $45,000 in financing, an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Hiring & Training
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP)
Helps companies bridge the pre-commercialization gap by procuring and testing late stage innovative goods and services within the federal government before taking them to market.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Assists firms to develop, adopt and adapt technologies and incorporate them into competitive products and services to be commercialized in the global marketplace
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
Industry-Academic R&D Collaboration, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship. Funds Include:
– Colleges Applied Research & Development Fund (CARDF): $20M program to drive increased industry/post-secondary collaborations
– Health Technologies Fund (HTF): Prototyping, Pre-Market, and Early Adoption
– SmartStart Seed Fund: Supports entrepreneurs transition their start-ups from product development to market entry and company building
– TalentEdge: provides internships and fellowships for students or recent graduates to industry or academia
– GlobalStart Voucher Program: Provides Start-ups with an opportunity to be placed with a host incubator/accelerator in a emerging market outside of the United States and Canada for three to six months.
– TargetGHG: $74 million emissions reduction program
– And more…
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Scale-Up Voucher Program
Will provide high-growth companies with immediate access to specific resources they need at pivotal moments in their development. Vouchers will be used by companies to fund activities such as specialized talent development and recruitment, accessing new markets and intellectual property protection services.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Southern Ontario Fund for Investment and Innovation (SOFII)
Supports high-growth, innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in rural and urban communities by offering loans of $150,000 to $500,000 to support all aspects of growth challenges facing them.
Related Categories: Start-up & Commercialization; Research & Development
Related Sectors: (N/A)
Related Incentives in Other Categories
Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP)
Automotive Innovation Fund (AIF)
Automotive Supplier Competitiveness Program (ASCP)
Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium
Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII)
MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund
Small Business Innovation Challenge