Federal government grants, loans and incentives in Canada

We track 141 federal government programs that are open or ongoing right now, plus 29 that take applications in intake windows. 51 of the open or ongoing programs publish a figure of $100K or more. They are ranked below by our 0 to 100 score, which weighs how much a program pays against how hard it is to win; last checked Nov 4, 2026.

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Ranked programs

Top 36 of 170 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

  1. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive

    Canada Revenue Agency

    Tax deduction plus investment tax credit for businesses conducting eligible R&D in Canada. Most CCPCs earn an enhanced, refundable 35% ITC up to an expenditure limit...

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $6M
    56
    Top pick

  2. BDC Small Business Loan

    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

    Online-assessed term loan of up to $350,000 for upcoming projects or expenses, with interest-only periods.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $350K
    55
    Top pick

  3. Canada Workers Benefit (CWB)

    Canada Revenue Agency

    A refundable tax credit for people who are working and earning a low income. It has a basic amount and a disability supplement and is paid through the tax return.

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    55
    Top pick

  4. Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (qualified small business corporation shares and farm/fishing property)

    Canada Revenue Agency / Finance Canada

    Individuals can shelter capital gains on the sale of qualified small business corporation shares and qualified farm or fishing property up to a lifetime limit.

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $1.3M
    55
    Top pick

  5. Small Business Deduction (reduced federal tax rate for CCPCs)

    Canada Revenue Agency

    Reduced federal corporate income tax rate on active business income of Canadian-controlled private corporations, up to the business limit.

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    55
    Top pick

  6. FedDev Ontario - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

    FedDev Ontario

    Liquidity assistance and pivot-project funding for southern Ontario businesses hurt by U.S. tariffs. Non-repayable for smaller amounts, repayable for large...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $20M
    54
    Top pick

  7. Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)

    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, delivered by banks and credit unions

    Government-backed loans through financial institutions to help small businesses finance equipment, leasehold improvements, intangibles and working capital. The lender...

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $1.1M
    53
    Top pick

  8. Home Buyers' Plan (HBP)

    Canada Revenue Agency

    Lets first-time buyers withdraw from their RRSPs to buy or build a qualifying home without tax on the withdrawal, repaying it over time. It can be combined with a first...

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $60K
    53
    Top pick

  9. First-Time Home Buyers' GST/HST Rebate

    Canada Revenue Agency

    Rebate of the federal GST/HST on a newly built or substantially renovated first home. Ontario adds a provincial first-time buyer HST rebate.

    OpenFederalOther incentives
    46
    Strong

  10. Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

    Employment and Social Development Canada

    Federal grants paid into a child's RESP: the CESG matches contributions, and the Canada Learning Bond adds money for lower-income families.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $7K
    45
    Strong

  11. Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP)

    Transport Canada

    Point-of-sale incentives for Canadians, organizations and businesses buying or leasing an eligible new electric vehicle. It replaces the closed iZEV program.

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesUp to $5K
    45
    Strong

  12. First Home Savings Account (FHSA)

    Canada Revenue Agency

    A registered plan that lets first-time home buyers save for a qualifying first home tax-free, with deductible contributions.

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $8K
    45
    Strong

  13. FedNor - Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI)

    FedNor

    Liquidity assistance and pivot-project funding for Northern Ontario businesses affected by U.S. tariffs.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $20M
    44
    Strong

  14. Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)

    Canada Revenue Agency

    A non-refundable federal tax credit that helps homeowners cover the cost of renovations that make a home more accessible and safer for seniors and people eligible for...

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $20K
    44
    Strong

  15. Canada Community Security Program (CCSP)

    Public Safety Canada

    Time-limited funding to enhance physical security at gathering spaces of communities at risk of hate-motivated incidents and crimes, such as places of worship, community...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $5M
    43
    Strong

  16. Indigenous Entrepreneurship and Business Development: Access to Capital (Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program)

    Indigenous Services Canada, delivered by Indigenous Financial Institutions and Metis Capital Corporations

    Non-repayable equity-type contributions and business services for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous community businesses to start, expand or acquire a business...

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $250K
    43
    Strong

  17. Advance Payments Program (APP)

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    A federal loan guarantee program giving agricultural producers low-cost cash advances against products they will produce or have in storage, with an interest-free...

    OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $1M
    42
    Strong

  18. Canada Training Credit

    Canada Revenue Agency

    Refundable tax credit that reimburses part of eligible tuition and fees for workers aged 26 to 65 using a limit that accrues each year they file.

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $5K
    42
    Strong

  19. Clean Technology Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

    Canada Revenue Agency / Natural Resources Canada / Finance Canada

    Refundable investment tax credit for capital invested in the adoption and operation of new clean technology property in Canada (for example solar, wind, stationary...

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    42
    Strong

  20. Canada Student Grants and Loans

    Employment and Social Development Canada / provincial student aid

    Grants and loans for post-secondary students of low and middle incomes, students with dependants and students with disabilities.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    41
    Strong

  21. Mitacs Accelerate

    Mitacs

    Matches partner contributions to fund research internships connecting businesses and organizations with university researchers and trainees.

    OngoingFederalGrants
    41
    Strong

  22. NGen Industrial AI Readiness Program

    NGen with NRC IRAP

    Reimburses SME manufacturers for professional fees of AI service providers for readiness evaluations and implementation plans.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $15K
    41
    Strong

  23. FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

    FedNor

    FedNor's NODP funds community economic development, SME business growth and a municipal/First Nation economic-development-officer initiative (CIINO) in Northern Ontario...

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $170K
    40
    Strong

  24. Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit

    Canada Revenue Agency / Canadian Heritage

    Refundable credit on salaries and wages of eligible newsroom employees of qualifying Canadian journalism organizations producing original written news content.

    OngoingFederalOther incentivesLimit $85K
    39
    Strong

  25. Mitacs AI Advantage (ADOPT and AI+X)

    Mitacs

    Non-competitive Mitacs offerings supporting organizations to adopt and innovate with AI through trainee-led projects: ADOPT (AI readiness to implementation) and AI+X...

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $25K
    39
    Strong

  26. Work-Sharing Program (EI)

    Employment and Social Development Canada / Service Canada

    Employment Insurance support that lets employers avoid layoffs during a temporary drop in business by reducing hours while employees receive EI income support for the...

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    39
    Strong

  27. Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP) - Green Jobs

    Natural Resources Canada, delivered through STIP - Green Jobs delivery organizations

    Funds employers to hire, train and mentor youth in energy, forestry, mining, earth sciences and clean technology roles for up to 12 months.

    OpenFederalOther incentives
    38
    Strong

  28. AgriInvest

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Self-managed producer-government savings account that helps farmers manage small income declines and make investments to manage risk. Federally delivered in Ontario.

    OngoingFederalOther incentives
    37
    Worth a look

  29. BDC Pivot to Grow (tariff support loans)

    Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

    Liquidity, working capital and equipment financing for Canadian businesses affected by U.S. tariffs, with long interest-only periods and no prepayment penalty.

    OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $10M
    37
    Worth a look

  30. Compensation for Employers of Reservists Program

    Employment and Social Development Canada (Reserve Force employer support)

    One-time financial support to civilian employers and self-employed reservists to offset operational costs when a reservist employee deploys on full-time operational duty.

    OpenFederalGrants
    37
    Worth a look

  31. EDC Export Guarantee Program (EGP)

    Export Development Canada (EDC)

    Guarantees to your lender to secure flexible working capital, optimize an operating line or secure a new loan.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $25M
    37
    Worth a look

  32. Farm Credit Canada - Young Farmer Loan

    Farm Credit Canada (FCC)

    Preferential-rate financing to purchase agriculture-related assets for qualified producers under 40.

    OngoingFederalLoansLoans up to $2M
    37
    Worth a look

  33. FedDev Ontario - Funding for organizations that help businesses grow (Regional Innovation Ecosystems)

    FedDev Ontario

    Funding for not-for-profit and community development organizations that strengthen regional business ecosystems and support SME growth in southern Ontario.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $10M
    37
    Worth a look

  34. FedDev Ontario - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII)

    FedDev Ontario

    Funded AI commercialization and AI adoption projects in southern Ontario. Intake has ended.

    OpenFederalGrantsUp to $700M
    37
    Worth a look

  35. Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

    Mitacs

    Matches partner funds to place students, postdocs and recent graduates in business-strategy and innovation projects at Canadian organizations.

    OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $15K
    37
    Worth a look

  36. Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    A federal loan guarantee that makes it easier for farmers and agricultural co-operatives to get loans from lenders to establish, improve and develop farms.

    OpenFederalLoansLoans up to $500K
    36
    Worth a look

There are 134 more. Create a free account to filter the full list by your own profile.

How we rank

Each program gets a score from 0 to 100 that asks how much money you can realistically get for how little work. It blends the largest published amount (loans count for less because they are repaid), how much effort an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify. Closed programs score zero and programs without a published dollar figure get a neutral value, never a guess. Scores are editorial estimates, not predictions of approval.

Questions

How many federal government programs are open right now?

Of the 312 federal government programs in our database, 141 are open or ongoing and 29 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 4, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

FedDev Ontario - Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Up to $700M". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which federal government programs rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Incentive (56, Top pick), BDC Small Business Loan (55, Top pick), Canada Workers Benefit (55, Top pick). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 141 open or ongoing programs here, 82 are in our Grants category, 27 are loans and 32 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Can I use more than one program at the same time?

Often yes, but many programs set stacking rules that cap the total government funding you can receive for the same project costs. Check each program's official page and tell every funder about the others.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.

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Estimates; confirm on the official page. Independent research tool, not a government website. Data last checked Nov 4, 2026. Grants & Loans Finder.