Nova Scotia Grants & Funding
88 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 88 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
ACOA — Innovative Communities Fund
Government of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Due Nov 28
Funding for economic growth projects in rural Atlantic Canada
ACOA — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (REGI)
Government of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Due Jun 1
Funding for accelerated adoption of AI in the Atlantic
ACOA — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Business Scale-up and Productivity
Government of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Due Nov 28
Financing to accelerate growth in Atlantic Canada
ACOA — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems
Government of Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Due Nov 28
Money to support business growth in Atlantic Canada
AgriInsurance
Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Due Sep 29
Additional insurance for agricultural producers affected by severe but uncontrollable natural hazards.
AgriInvest
Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Due Jun 30
Matching funding to mitigate on-farm risks
AgriStability
Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Due Jun 30
Insurance to protect farming operations
Amplified Voices Development Fund
Government of Nova Scotia, Screen Nova Scotia
Support for underrepresented communities in Nova Scotia film and television
Aquaculture Loan Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Loan for aquaculture businesses in Nova Scotia
Atlantic Canada Travel Trade Market Readiness Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Due May 21
Advice for tourism operators in Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Fisheries Fund
Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Due May 17
Funding for innovation, infrastructure and science projects in the Atlantic
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
Atlantic Immigration Program
Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Due Apr 4
Hire qualified foreign workers permanently in Atlantic Canada
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
CBDC First-time Entrepreneur Loan
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Atlantic Canada start-up loan
CBDC General Business Loan
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Rural Atlantic Canada business loan
CBDC Immigrant Loan program — Pilot Project
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Loans for new immigrants in Atlantic
CBDC Innovation Loan
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Loan for technology improvements
CBDC Self Employment Benefit Program
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Financing for unemployed Atlantic entrepreneurs to start a business
CBDC Social Enterprise Loan
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Loans for social enterprises in Atlantic Canada
CBDC Youth Loan
Community Business Development Corporations
Due Mar 31
Business loans for young Atlantic Canadians
Centre for Women in Business
Centre for Women in Business
Due Mar 6
Training and events for Nova Scotia women entrepreneurs
Clean Foundation — Green Jobs
Clean Foundation
Due Jun 5
Subsidy to hire interns in the natural resources sector
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
Connect2
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Energy and Mines
Due Jan 9
Funding for active transportation projects in Nova Scotia
Cooperative Education Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia, Labour and Advanced Education
Due Sep 15
Wage assistance for university and college co-operative students in Nova Scotia
Creative Entrepreneurship Program
Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design
Resources for Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, craft entrepreneurs
Creative Industries Fund
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Due Dec 1
Creative industry global growth funding in Nova Scotia
Dairy Direct Payment Program
Government of Canada, Canadian Dairy Commission
Due Mar 31
Payments to support dairy producers
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
ElevateIP
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Due Mar 31
Tools to manage and leverage Intellectual Properties (IP)
Energy Training Program for Students
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Energy and Mines
Due Feb 6
Funding for Nova Scotia students and recent graduates in the energy sector
Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due May 31
Funding to support the Agricultural sector in climate change
Experience Nova Scotia: A Toolkit
Government of Nova Scotia, Tourism Nova Scotia
Due Feb 12
How to grow your N.S. business by developing tourism experiences
Export Development Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Due Jun 12
Support for export growth 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
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
GradWorks — Employer Incentive Program
Nova Scotia Community College
Due Jan 21
Connect with skilled graduates in Nova Scotia
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 Canada — Innovation Advisors
Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Due Jul 22
Personalized advisory services for innovators
Innovation Canada — Innovation Advisors in NS
Government of Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Due Jul 22
Personalized advisory services for innovators in Nova Scotia
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 — Greenshoots
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Due Feb 23
Funding for early-stage businesses in Nova Scotia
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
Invest Nova Scotia — Payroll Rebate
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Due Aug 22
Payroll rebate for Nova Scotia companies
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
Launch Export Atlantic Incubator
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Due Sep 19
Support from subject matter experts for export capacity
Limestone Trucking Assistance Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Jul 31
Funding to defray the cost of trucking limestone
Low Carbon Communities
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Energy and Mines
Due May 20
Funding to advance Nova Scotia low-carbon energy projects
Market Entry Development Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Development support for Atlantic exporting companies
Market Opportunities and Diversification Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due May 31
Funding to help producers with local and export activities
New Small Business Tax Deduction
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Tax credit for newly incorporated Nova Scotia businesses
Nova Scotia Research and Development Tax Credit
Government of Nova Scotia, Finance and Treasury Board
Due Jan 17
Tax credit for R&D in Nova Scotia
NRC — Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre
Government of Canada, National Research Council Canada
Collaborate on aquatic and crop resource R&D
NRC — Marine research station
Government of Canada, National Research Council Canada
Due May 28
Marine research facility in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia
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
On-Farm Resiliency Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Jun 30
Funding for agriculture industry competitiveness and resiliency in Nova Scotia
Organic Certification Rebate Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Mar 31
Funding to help farms become certified organic
Perennia — Seafood Accelerator Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Due Jul 30
Get funding to assist your Nova Scotia-based seafood company
Planning New Opportunities Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Jun 30
Funding for farms and agri-businesses
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
Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Invest Nova Scotia
Due Jun 4
Productivity and innovation expertise in Nova Scotia
Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Jun 30
Funding for on-farm ecological goods and services
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
Small Business Loan Guarantee Program
Nova Scotia Co-operative Council
Due Mar 11
Financing for Nova Scotia small businesses
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
Student Summer Skills Incentive
Nova Scotia, Labour, Skills and Immigration
Due Jan 31
Get a wage subsidy to hire post-secondary students
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
Value-adding Equipment Program
Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Agriculture
Due Jun 30
Funding for agricultural and agri-food businesses in Nova Scotia
Venture for Canada — Internship Program
Venture for Canada
Due Jun 22
Interns and subsidies for startups and SMEs
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
Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia, Labour and Advanced Education
Due Apr 1
Supplement for Nova Scotia employer training
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.