Nova Scotia Grants & Funding
42 programs available in Nova Scotia
Grants in Nova Scotia come from two main sources: federal programs open to applicants across Canada, and provincial and territorial programs funded specifically for Nova Scotia. Many organizations qualify for both, so it's worth reviewing federal and Nova Scotia programs side by side rather than assuming one rules out the other. This page lists 42 open programs available to applicants in Nova Scotia, updated as programs open and close.
Funding in Nova Scotia spans small business financing, workforce training, research and innovation, clean energy, agriculture, and arts and culture. Each program sets its own eligibility around applicant type, sector, project stage and location, and most grants are non-repayable — always confirm the funding type and deadline on the individual program before you apply.
Use this page to shortlist Nova Scotia grants worth pursuing: open any program to see funding amounts, eligibility criteria, deadlines and how to apply, then focus your effort on the programs that are currently open and match your organization.
ACOA — Business Information Services
Government of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Free advice and expertise for entrepreneurs in New Brunswick
Amplified Voices Development Fund
Government of Nova Scotia, Screen Nova Scotia
Support for underrepresented communities in Nova Scotia film and television
ANSA Grants and Contributions Program
Nova Scotia Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs
Funds community-led projects that support the growth and sustainability of African Nova Scotian communities, such as cul...
Aquaculture Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Loan for aquaculture businesses in Nova Scotia
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Infrastructure
Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Funding to improve sustainability in Atlantic fisheries
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Innovation
Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Funding for new technologies in Atlantic fisheries
Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Science Partnerships
Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Funding to study ecosystem impacts on Atlantic fisheries
Building Inclusive Communities Fund
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage
Due Oct 15
Funds projects and events that celebrate cultural diversity, advance inclusion and social equity, and remove barriers fo...
Business Navigators — NS
Government of Nova Scotia, Office of Service Efficiency
Help understanding business regulations in Nova Scotia
CBDC Business Atlantic Forum
Community Business Development Corporations
Buy or sell an Atlantic Canadian business
Commercialization, Consulting and Mentoring
LearnSphere
Funding for innovation commercialization in Atlantic Canada
Community Economic Development Fund
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Economic Development
Funding for sectors and communities to become more competitive
Creative Entrepreneurship Program
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design
Resources for Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, craft entrepreneurs
Digital Animation Tax Credit
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Tax credit for digital animation in Nova Scotia
Digital Media Tax Credit
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Tax credit for interactive digital media production in Nova Scotia
Fishing Licence Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Loan to purchase fishing licence and gear in Nova Scotia
Get Growing Program
novascotia.ca
Due Sep 30
Provides up to $5,000 in 50% cost-shared grant funding for small Nova Scotia farms grossing $30,000 or less to purchase ...
GO Talent
Information and Communications Technology Council
Due Mar 31
Information Technology (IT) professionals arriving in Canada
Graduate to Opportunity — GTO Innovate
Nova Scotia, Labour, Skills and Immigration
Wage subsidy for innovation jobs in Nova Scotia
Graduate to Opportunity — GTO Grow
Nova Scotia, Labour, Skills and Immigration
Subsidy for Nova Scotia graduate salaries
HCi3 Grant — Acceleration Stream
The Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund
Due Nov 2
Support for innovative equitable low-carbon transition projects
Innovation Rebate Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Funding for Nova Scotia SMEs
Invest Nova Scotia — Acceleration Initiatives
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Money and advice for Nova Scotia innovators
Invest Nova Scotia — Incubation
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Incubation facilities for Nova Scotia innovators
Invest Nova Scotia — Investment
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Early stage investment for Nova Scotia innovators
Job Creation Partnerships
Government of Nova Scotia, Employment Nova Scotia
Support for Nova Scotia workers’ skills development
Labour - Sponsored Venture - Capital Tax Credit
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Tax credit to support Nova Scotia SMEs
Market Entry Development Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Development support for Atlantic exporting companies
New Small Business Tax Deduction
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Tax credit for newly incorporated Nova Scotia businesses
NRC — Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre
Government of Canada, National Research Council Canada
Collaborate on aquatic and crop resource R&D
NRC — Zebrafish research facility
Government of Canada, National Research Council Canada
Zebrafish research facility in Halifax
Ocean Supercluster
Canada's Ocean Supercluster
Funding to support Canada’s ocean industries
Organic Certification Rebate Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Mar 31
Funding to help farms become certified organic
Plant Your Roots Program — Commercial Farm Purchases
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Feb 15
Funding for new commercial farming in Nova Scotia
Plant Your Roots Program — New Entrant
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Feb 15
Funding for new commercial farming in Nova Scotia
Self-Employment Program (Nova Scotia)
Government of Nova Scotia, Employment Nova Scotia
Training for unemployed workers to start a business in Nova Scotia
Skills Online Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia, Labour and Advanced Education
Online business skills training in Nova Scotia
Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program
Government of Canada, Energy and Natural Resources Canada
Due Mar 31
Funding to reduce GHG emissions with renewables and grid modernization
Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Global Talent Stream
Government of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada
Skilled foreign workers to help innovative firms grow
Trade Market Intelligence Service
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Market research support in Nova Scotia
Vessel Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Loans for fishing vessels, engines and equipment in Nova Scotia
Workplace Education Initiative
Government of Nova Scotia, Labour and Advanced Education
Support for Nova Scotia skills development
Grants in Nova Scotia: Common Questions
What government grants are available in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia applicants can access both federal grants offered across Canada and provincial or territorial programs funded specifically for Nova Scotia. They span business financing, workforce training, research, clean energy, agriculture, and arts and culture — this page brings the currently open programs together in one place.
Are there both federal and provincial grants in Nova Scotia?
Yes. Federal programs run nationwide and are open to eligible Nova Scotia applicants, while Nova Scotia's own programs target local priorities. Many organizations qualify for both, so it's worth reviewing them together.
Who can apply for grants in Nova Scotia?
Eligibility depends on the program. Grants target specific applicant types — small businesses, nonprofits and charities, Indigenous-owned enterprises, municipalities and researchers — and set rules around sector, project stage and location. Each program page lists its exact criteria.
Do you have to repay grants in Nova Scotia?
Most government grants in Nova Scotia are non-repayable, unlike loans. Some funding is offered as repayable contributions or a mix of grant and loan, so always check the funding type and terms on the individual program before applying.
Get all 1,400+ Canadian grants in one spreadsheet
Every Nova Scotia program shown here — plus the full national database — with eligibility, funding amounts, and deadlines you can filter in seconds.